Next Page Book Store coming to Morris

A new chapter is beginning for True North, as the Next Page Book Store opens with a pretzel party March 6 inside True North 2 at 1338 Clay St.

Owner Stacey Olson said it’s one of the most requested things whenever True North asks residents what Morris needs on Facebook.

“We are going to be ourselves, the True North style,” Olson said. “We’re going to categorize our books different. Instead of just vintage, we’ll go by decade. You can look for books from the 1940s, ‘70s, ’80s, stuff like that.”

Olson said the store will carry a mix of new and used books, operating out of the front 1,000 square feet that housed True North’s Christmas Village last year.

“Instead of having a women’s studies section, we’ll have one that says ‘girls rule,’ and it’s all women’s inspirational books,” Olson said. “Our new fiction will be ‘what the cool kids are reading.’”

Olson said there also will be a section devoted to new-used books, books that came out recently that maybe someone was done reading. These books are for people who want to read newer books but can’t justify spending $24 a book.

She said the gift books, kids' books and cookbooks that True North is known for also will be available.

Olson said the store has accounts with all major publishers, so the store will be able to order specific books.

“We’re gonna have big, comfy couches so you can sit and read a book and hang out,” Olson said. “Instead of just staff doing what books they like, we’re going to ask the community to leave book reviews and put little cards in books they’ve read and write reviews to the next reader.”

She said there also will be a book club, a kids reading hour and author book signings. Olson said she already has four authors scheduled.

Additionally, there will be a bookstore cat, Olson said, although there’s a chance it might be made of cardboard.

Next Page Book Store’s opening night is already slated to be a busy one: On top of the pretzel party, children’s book author Colleen McGarr will be signing copies, and there will be a craft club meeting.

For more information, visit the store’s Facebook page at facebook.com/NextPageTrueNorth or its website at shoptruenorth.com/nextpage.