Bookstore in Creston to reopen as The Bookwyrm

A local family is revitalizing a used bookstore in uptown Creston with a new vision, some new products and a fictional dragon.

Chris and Regina Smith and their two sons, Alex and Ian, are co-owners of “The Bookwyrm.” Located at 210 N. Maple St., the former location of “The Bookstore,” the store is currently under renovation and will open Oct. 16.

When 22-year-old Alex, an avid reader and regular at The Bookstore, heard it was up for sale, he contacted his family, and they decided to take the opportunity.

“We kind of always talked about doing something,” Alex said. “A sandwich place or this or that — just ideas over the past 10 years of doing something really small-town oriented and friendly. And this kind of just fell into our laps this year.”

After acquiring the building — and its inventory of about 7,000 books — the Smiths began renovations, which have included installing a new ceiling, replacing the fluorescent lights with hanging lamps, adding more open space as well as a seating area and kids section with a stage for puppet shows and storytimes. They plan to expand product offerings to include comic books from the ‘90s and 2000s, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon cards and, eventually, current books and comics.

“We’re going to have what’s in demand, what’s current,” Alex said. “If a book comes out and blows up, you’ll be able to find it here probably.”

The Smiths also decided it was time for a name change.

“Originally it was just going to be ‘Bookworm’ with the ‘O,’ but it wasn’t popping,” Alex said.

So the Smiths settled on “wyrm,” a word you might recognize from the “Lord of the Rings” series.

“It’s another word for dragon,” Regina said. “It originally was like a different category of dragon, but as far back as ‘Lord of the Rings’ they used it interchangeably with ‘dragon.’”

The new title and theme brings its own mascot, a dragon named Webster T. Wyrm whose wooden cutout will have a prominent spot in the store. Webster will also be making appearances as a puppet on the kids’ puppet stage. Regina, whose work experience includes being a professional puppeteer, plans to begin a series of children’s books based on Webster and his conversations with the kids.

“As we’re going along through the story talking about Webster doing this or that, then I’ll stop and ask the kids a question and take the best answer out of the group, and that will become part of the book,” Regina said.

The Bookwyrm will also take used books for trades and in-store credit and selected books for cash. It will have free wifi and offer coffee and other drinks.

The Smith family has lived in Creston since 2006. Chris and Regina have been married for 21 years and previously lived in California, South Carolina and Virginia. Chris served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and currently works as a mail carrier in Corning. Alex is married to his wife, Kasey, and serves with Creston: Arts. Ian, 19, currently works at Prairie Solid Waste.

The Smiths have plans to invite local authors for book signings, hold writing workshops and hold Friday night Magic card tournaments. The grand opening will include a book signing with local comic book author Bill Williams and the first evening Magic card game event.

For updates and news, like “The Bookwyrm” on Facebook or check out its Tumblr: thebookwyrmofficial.tumblr.com. You can also follow the fictional Webster T. Wyrm on Twitter: @webstertwyrm.

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The Bookwyrm

210 N. Maple St., Creston

Grand opening and ribbon cutting:

10 a.m. Oct. 16

Hours:

Monday, Wednesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Closed Tuesday

Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Magic tournaments will be held on Friday nights