This February, Toms-Price converted a portion of its Wheaton store for Prairie Path Books to host its literary events and sell books. “We’re bringing curious people together to talk about books, all surrounded by fine craftsman furniture that is the tradition of Toms-Price,” said Prairie Path Books owner Sandy Koropp. “We’re so pleased that Toms-Price is offering the space for our conversations and bookselling to expand.”
Toms-Price Wheaton Store
Heather & Sandy – Owners of Prairie Path Books
“We’re excited to support a bookstore in the community,” said Scott Price, president of Toms-Price. “With over 70,000 square feet in our Wheaton building, we have a little room to share, especially for a unique opportunity such as this.” Toms-Price is furnishing the space with big leather chairs and comfortable sofas, and a kitchen will allow for book discussions around cooking demonstrations.
“These events will be more elaborate than most offered by traditional bookstores,” Koropp said. Prairie Path Books has already established itself as a purveyor of literary events – fiction, nonfiction, teens, couples’ and parents’ nights-out. For the Feb. 20 event at Toms-Price, parents are invited to discuss “Masterminds & Wingmen” by Rosalind Wiseman. The book outlines the challenges of raising pre-teen and teen boys, and Koropp expects a rousing discussion among parent-readers.
A recent “WhoDunnit” event included a mystery book night for couples. “Keepers” will be a cooking interactive night on March 13, based on the cookbook by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion. “We appreciate the kind of business the founders of Prairie Path Books are trying to create and the value it will bring to the community. It is our privilege to help them on their journey of building a sustainable, local bookstore,” Price said.
“A bookstore within a furniture store is a natural fit,” Koropp said. “Prairie Path Books has consistent values with Toms-Price — a focus on superior customer service and offering a quality product in which we whole-heartedly believe. “I want people to come into Toms-Price, find their way to our space, and spend a while relaxing with our staff and recommended book titles,” she said.
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Prairie Path Books has been providing “gatherings and great reads” officially since 2013, but the owners have been providing book-based discussions for the last decade. They love books and sell what they love. In space provided by Toms-Price Furniture, the independent bookseller holds performances, author signings and other unique events to connect readers and friends.
