A new retail bookstore is open on the south side of the Fayette square. The Reading Nook officially opened with a ribbon cutting on September 5 at 122 East Morrison Street.

Owners Devon and Aaron Lee opened the bookstore less than a year after moving to Howard County in December.

Devon said they spotted a house listing on Zillow. After they drove through Fayette, they liked the town and bought the house. She later noticed the downtown storefront for sale.

“That building’s really cute. We could put something in there,” she said. “I threw out the idea of a bookstore because I really like reading.”

They toured the building in March and spent the rest of the summer painting and papering the shop. Aaron, who works at the University of Missouri power plant, built the store’s bookshelves.

The store sells new books, not used. Children’s board books and picture books are displayed in the old bank vault that preserves the charm of the old building. Devon stocks a mix of titles, with a lean toward mysteries and fantasy romance, and takes special orders when a book is not on the shelf. New releases come out Tuesdays.

“If I don’t have a book that somebody’s looking for, I can definitely do special orders,” she said.

The shop also sells gift items, including chocolates, cards, gift bags, lip balm, and candles from Southern Gent in Rocheport.

The Reading Nook also provides an educator’s discount. Teachers receive 10% off with a school ID or email address. Gift cards are also available.

The Reading Nook is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

Devon already has two book clubs in the works. A silent book club, where customers can simply enjoy a nice quiet read, is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. on October 13 and 29. A more traditional book club will discuss “Mad Mabel” by Sally Hepworth on Nov. 19. Pre-orders for that title close Oct. 2. Several people have already signed up, she said.

Pre-orders are also open for “A Court of Splintered Harmony” by Sarah J. Maas for next month’s book club discussion at 6 p.m. on November 19.

There is also potential for more genre-specific book clubs if there is enough interest.

Other events are scheduled through October. Copper Charm Flower Farm is scheduled to hold a floral arrangement workshop in October 10. On October 17, Lee will host “Crafternoon” book bedazzling from 3 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20. Customers may bring their own book or buy one at 15% off. She said she hopes to hold about one craft event a month.

The Reading Nook is sponsoring December for Books and Bites, a new reading program at Daly Elementary School in Fayette. Students who meet their December reading goals can redeem a coupon at the store for a bookmark and a discount on books.

Devon has also signed the shop up for the Sunday Letter Project, a pen-pal program that uses the store as a mailing address so participants do not have to share a home address.

She said she is open to carrying self-published and local authors on consignment. Longer-term plans include more seating once an interior wall comes down, plus story time and other events. She said those projects are still in early stages of development and will be announced in the future.

Some books may be purchased through the store website. Lee said not every title is listed online.