Daryl Lanz opened Chapter 2 Books five years ago. It was a gamble at the time, but with e-book sales declining, the future reads well for physical books getting into people's hands.
"I'm just gonna go for it," Lanz said in 2012. Five years later, Chapter 2 is packed with titles that could keep even the most dedicated reader busy for years, and at a reasonable price.
After collecting books from garage, estate and library sales for a year, Lanz thought that it was his time to run the store he'd always dreamed of. He researched the stories of people who ran successful used book stores and figured he had what it took to make it happen.
"You want to have at least 2,000 books to open," Lanz said. "I think I had about 5,000."
After taking inventory last year, he is stocked with about 17,000 books total. The copies are crowded onto the shelves, stuffed into every corner, and piled up in the overstock room where readers can find even better deals.
As a retired English teacher, Lanz's appreciation for the written word is hard to overstate.
Turning physical pages and jotting notes in the margins gives real books an advantage that tablets can't mimic. The distinct smell of old books is enough to invoke the memories that come with any classic paperback, and the worlds they describe are flushed out even more by the art printed on the cover. The tactile weight of a hard or soft cover gives the book more of an identity than the data that runs through today's devices.
Those curious enough to walk inside may also patronize other mediums that could bring their minds to new heights.
A large selection of vinyl records and a variety of CDs are stacked in bins across from the bookshelves, encouraging a browse and maybe even a listen through the store's stereo.
Comic books and graphic novels are also plentiful, with a glass case of rare, old and valuable issues proudly put on display.
The store and its contents are the culmination of many life experiences Lanz has had in his life.
He's had a background of working in record stores in the 80s and 90s, and attended several conventions as a dealer for 15 years. He's been collecting comic books ever since he was a kid and still goes to conventions every six months. Sometimes a title bought in Winona could land him a healthy profit margin with other collectors.
Keeping him company are the two cats that live in the store named Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, after the characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Both felines are 6 years old and are happy to be pet by whoever walks in.
Heidi Bryant is one of those customers, popping in once or twice a month to pick up an LP or whatever new titles come in. She often responds to the posts on the store's Facebook page, which Lanz updates regularly. Chapter 2 Books can also be found on Twitter.
Bryant said she likes "The atmosphere and visiting with the cats," adding that she can find "neat stuff without spending a lot."
"People like to hold a book," Bryant said. "There's a connection, a nostalgia to it."
Lanz is happy to offer cash or store credit for whatever people bring to his counter, allowing the books a chance to impact another reader's life.
The name of the store is inspired by the idea that Lanz has regarding a used book.
"Used books are like the second chapter in the life of a book," Lanz said. "When a book is new, that's one thing, but when it's used, then you're getting into chapter two."
