Today we’d like to introduce you to The Book Keepers.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It has been a serendipitous journey from the beginning! Sitting outside on our patio a sunny afternoon in July 2025, my college roommate was sharing an independent bookstore experience she had on their recent trip around Lake Superior. She casually commented, “Hutchinson could use a place like that!” We both paused, thoughts racing, and the idea was planted. She lives in the metro area, but I had moved back to Hutchinson in 2017 (born and raised here) after a 50-year absence. We started researching, exploring, and expanding the idea. I started seeking any possible location; during one of these conversations, a friend whom I knew through another organization joined in. We chatted about barriers to overcome – location, funding, personnel. That last one was a major concern as both my “co-conspirator” and I were happily retired, and neither would be able to be tied down to a retail establishment on a continual basis because of family, travel, and/or proximity. A knowledgeable, book-savvy store manager was an absolute must. Through that second serendipitous conversation – enter Jackie. Since she learned how to read, she wanted to own a bookstore. (Whereas it never entered my head until well into retirement!) She moved back to Hutch in 2016 and had told everyone she met that she was interested in a connection with a bookstore. Well, we connected!
The search had begun for a location; by this time. People had heard the rumblings. Folks were excited! They wanted this to happen. At a random meeting, I sat next to Jamie Broll and, in introducing ourselves, the bookstore topic came up. She gave me contact information for a spot she was aware of where the lease was going to be opening up. Another serendipitous occurrence! We looked. We saw potential. We signed the lease in January 2025. Then everything took off like a run-away train! Computers, equipment, programs to choose and learn, shelving, inventory – everything that anyone who has opened a business knows must happen – was all new to us. We had lots of support from all angles. Our wonderful volunteers painted and assembled and shelved and alphabetized.
Opening Day – March 15, 2025 – the Ides of March! Snow, wind, rain, bluster and a line at the door that refused to come in early because they wanted everyone to see that this was an event! We had over 300 people (that signed the guest book – more that didn’t) in our store. Wall-to-wall people! It was overwhelming in such a good way! Beyond our wildest expectations – More coffee, more cups, more cookies, more napkins – our runners were busy.
And the good news is, the community support is still here…and so are we – although at a more manageable pace. Looking ahead into November, we are ever so thankful for every browser, every customer, every sale, and every word of encouragement that we still hear. It is very satisfying to have folks come in and share their reading experiences with us, request a specific title or author, or provide recommendations.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been mostly smooth but still challenging! Books arrived just three days before opening; the internet connection was set up just two days before opening. We were able to get ready with whatever was available. But it worked! The learning curve was steep, and we are still climbing. Much has become easier with practice, but we are also learning every step we take.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned earlier, having a knowledgeable store manager was key, someone who knew books, authors, and was able to pair them with displays and featured topics. Jackie is all of the above. We joke that she is the Book Keeper out front and I am the Bookkeeper in the office; she has learned the retail program for sales, and does the ordering and inventory, and I have been keeping the records, paying the bills, and meeting the government requirements. We collaborate well on window displays, decoration, and in-house featured subjects. We make a good team!
How do you think about luck?
EVERYTHING! That is why the “serendipity” is so often mentioned: the casual conversation and comment on the patio; the chance mention of the gal who wanted to own a bookstore but didn’t have the means; the chance seating placement at a random meeting to learn about a location; the talented and willing daughter that was so excited to do our social media and came up with our beautiful logo and tag line. All that allowed for conversations with people to talk about investment, which allowed the funds to purchase what we needed to have to make it happen. Even the blustery Opening Day – bad luck or good luck? – as our store space, inventory, staff, and volunteers could not have handled much more, and it gave our customers a pleasant experience. We still feel that awe with the support we have received during special events, author collaborations, and in-store conversations with the community.
Pricing:
- New Books at market pricing unless on a promotional event
- Used books at 45% of market pricing or less
- Sidelines (notecards, bookmarks, gifts) at pricing agreed on with the artist
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebookkeepers.store
- Instagram: bookkeepers.store
- Facebook: bookkeepers.store
