Grand Opening this Saturday!

Also, some answers to common questions

This past week, the OPRF Chamber of Commerce hosted our ribbon cutting ceremony at the store, marking the beginning of the next chapter for Dandelion Bookshop. If the last few months were the prologue, we’re now jumping into chapter one!

To recap, we first opened our doors at the end of January – a soft opening to let us test our systems and make sure everything works as expected. We’ve fixed a few bugs on our website, reorganized a couple of shelves, and continue to expand the inventory. If you received a gift card for the holidays, you can now use it in the store or the website.

Above all, the outpouring of support and kind words from the community has warmed our hearts. It’s moments like these that remind us why we’re doing this – to create a welcoming space for book lovers of all ages.

Grand Opening February 8th

And now, the big news: our grand opening is this Saturday! Kurt, Teddy, and I will be there all day to meet you, chat about books, and help you find your next favorite read. We also have these activities planned throughout the day:

• Kids’ Book Creation Station: We will have blank books and colored pencils for kids to create their own stories to take home – while supplies last.

• Custom Typewriter Poetry: From 1-4 pm, stop in to have a custom haiku poem typed especially for you!

• Hemingway District Tokens of Love: From 3-6 pm, visit us for a Valentine treat, and be sure to check out other participating Hemingway District businesses for activities and specials.

• Dandelion Raffle: Submit your name, contact information, and a book recommendation to enter (no purchase necessary). Two winners will receive $25 gift cards and one winner will receive a $50 gift card, plus each winner will receive a Dandelion sweatshirt (any size).

All events are free and open to everyone!

Popular Questions

We’ve had so many great conversations over the past week. To get to know us and the store better, we thought it would be helpful to share some of the most common questions we’ve received so far.

1. What kind of books do you carry?

We offer a diverse selection of new fiction and nonfiction titles for readers of all ages, including adult, young adult, middle grade, and children’s books. Our goal is to have something for everyone with a catalog that includes enduring classics, new releases, and seasonal collections.

If you’re on the hunt for a gently used book, we highly recommend checking out our friends at The Looking Glass, who have an amazing selection of titles looking for a new home.

2. Are you taking preorders?

Yes! Our preorder page includes items we’ll stock in the store when released. If you purchase a preorder, we’ll hold a copy in reserve just for you. And if there’s a book you’re interested in that isn’t listed, just let us know! We can special order it for you and set it aside when it arrives.

3. Will you be hosting events in the store?

Yes, we already have several events in the works that will be announced soon. We plan to host a healthy mix of author readings, book clubs, and storytime for kids. We’re also excited to collaborate with local businesses and organizations on unique, community-focused events. Stay tuned – once our event calendar is finalized, we’ll post it on our website, Instagram, and here on our newsletter.

4. Are you hiring?

We plan to add one staff role in the spring and one or two more in the summer. Keep an eye on our website and social media for an announcement when applications open.

5. How are you feeling?

It's been a whirlwind of activity, but I'm so energized by seeing the space come together and welcoming our neighbors into the store. And, we’ve found that connecting someone to a new book is the best feeling – that's the magic that makes it all worthwhile.

That’s all for now! Thank you so much for your support, and we hope to see you at the bookstore this Saturday (February 8th from 10am to 8pm) to celebrate!