An independent bookstore is opening in Grand Island’s Railside District this weekend.
Owner of Rooted Books & Gifts, LLC, Danielle Helzer has a background in education and community advocacy and is involved in youth services, program development, and disability advocacy.
The bookstore features new books, unique gifts, and events such as multilingual family story times and author readings.
Danielle Helzer stands outside her new bookstore, Rooted Books & Gifts, in the Railside District on Friday, August 23. The bookstore is just around the corner from the Daily Dose cafe.
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Helzer said the bookstore at 315 N. Locust Street, just north of Daily Dose Coffee, aims to provide access to diverse stories and create a welcoming community space.
Helzer decided to open the bookstore in response to book censorship efforts and to fill a need for youth-friendly spaces in Grand Island.
“I wanted to open this bookstore now to counter attempts to ban, remove or challenge books,” she said.
People also read…
Danielle Helzer opens boxes of books at Rooted Books & Gifts in the Railside District on Friday, Aug. 23. Helzer said her favorite genres are young adult and nonfiction.
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Helzer said she believes in giving people access to books, especially those that reflect experiences that lie outside the “status quo.”
“Everyone should be able to find themselves in the pages of a book,” she said.
Danielle Helzer tapes the metal latch of a safe at Rooted Books & Gifts in the Railside District on Friday, Aug. 23. Helzer plans to paint the safe black and use it as a shelf for banned books that will be offered for sale there.
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Helzer said bookstores are an important “third space” in communities.
“They can be places for good conversation, learning and civic engagement,” she said. “I wanted to create a place where people could spend time with their families, meet new people, hear new ideas, etc.”
Danielle Helzer lays out a rug at the Rooted Books & Gifts store in the Railside District on Friday, Aug. 23. Helzer said that in addition to selling books, there will also be a seating area where people can hang out and events can be held.
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Helzer said Grand Island lacks activities and places for young people.
“It’s really important to me that the bookstore is a place where teens can spend time,” she said. “I dream of hosting teen book clubs, open mic nights and creative writing classes.”
Danielle Helzer browses through Joe Starita’s book “A Warrior of the People” at Rooted Books & Gifts in the Railside District on Friday, Aug. 23. The book is about Susan La Flesche Picotte, a Nebraska native who became a doctor. “We’re going to have a whole Nebraska section,” Hezler said. “With local authors and people from the area.”
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According to Helzer, Rooted Books & Gifts’ mission is “to bring quality books, gifts and engagement opportunities to the people of Grand Island in a unique, person-centered environment.”
“Rooted Books is committed to making our community a better place now and for future generations by reigniting the love of reading and supporting efforts that enrich lives in our community,” she said. “Rooted Books will be more than a bookstore; it will be a place where community members can come to rest, learn, and make new connections rooted in our community.”
Several books sit in a box at the Rooted Books & Gifts store in the Railside District on Friday, Aug. 23. 1,100 books were delivered to the store for sale. “I have some at home too,” Hezler said. “I have about 300 at home because I did pop-ups this summer.”
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Helzer plans to open the store by Tuesday, August 27. A grand opening is planned for Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Initially, the bookstore will be open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the first Friday of every month from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit rootedbooksandgifts.com.
Danielle Helzer sits among several stacks of books at Rooted Books & Gifts in the Railside District on Friday, Aug. 23. “I hope we can create the cozy atmosphere that people need,” Helzer said.
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The Oregon Trail Rodeo
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The Oregon Trail Rodeo
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Team Roping
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The York Farmers Market runs until September 26th.
