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.

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.

Helzer’s vision got a boost last fall when she won the annual Big Pitch Grand Island event, sponsored by Central Community College’s Entrepreneurship Center and modeled after the reality TV show “Shark Tank.” Finalists had two minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, who whittled the list down to the top five. Those in attendance then chose a winner.

With this victory came a prize of $5,000 and access to various resources in the community to help her make her dream a reality.

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.

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.”

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.”

According to Helzer, Rooted Books & Gifts’ mission is to “bring the people of Grand Island together with quality books, gifts and engagement opportunities 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.”

Helzer plans to open the store by Tuesday, August 27. The grand opening is scheduled 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. (with extended hours until 9 p.m. on the first Friday of the month) and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit rootedbooksandgifts.com.