By Faith Huey
(Provided by Ann Vogl- Dragon Tale Books’s sign)
After twelve and a half years, Bookends on Main is closing. That said, Menomonie will not be left without a bookstore.
Former UW-Stout librarian, Ann Vogl, plans to open a new store called Dragon Tale Books on December 29 with a grand opening taking place on December 31. Vogl purchased Bookends on Main from Susan Thurin, who is retiring.
Vogl looks forward to her new adventure opening the store and expresses her eagerness to begin.
“As Neil Gaiman says, ‘a town isn’t a town without a bookstore’,” Vogl stated. “Downtown Menomonie has had a local bookstore for over 20 years. Sharing the love of reading, being a part of the community, and supporting local creatives is part of my mission.”
Bookends on Main will stay open through December 27. Bookstore owner, Susan Thurin, is also excited for Dragon Tale Books to open.
(Photo Provided by Ann Vogl- Ann (Left), Barb Arntzen (Middle), and Susan Thurin (Right) at the Meet the new owner event at Bookends on Main.
“It’s wonderful for the community to have a downtown bookstore,” Thurin said. “Not only will Dragon Tale Books carry on the bookstore legacy, the owner, so much younger than I am, has new ideas and fantastic tech and social media skills that are sure to enhance the bookstore.”
Thurin said her favorite part of running Bookends on Main was getting to know the community and being able to sell books to happy readers.
The grand opening will showcase the talents of others in the community, including harpist Mark Brown, who will play from 10-11 a.m., and a reading from four local Menomonie writers, Warren Lang, Kate Hearth, Pat Zontelli, and Sandy Lindow starting at 2 p.m..
The event on December 31 will feature a countdown at 5:59 p.m. to ring in the London New Years, and local author Rob Bignell will read “The Legend of Dragon Tale Books.” Photographers from the Red Cedar Photography Group will have their works on display, and there will be snacks and other drop-in activities from 10-7 p.m.