Former Book Mark manager opening the Book Shelf

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Kristin Moutsatson may have lost a job when the Book Mark closed in February.

But the Mount Pleasant resident is turning her life-long love for books and people into a new career.

Moutsatson worked at the Book Mark, formerly at 2200 S. Mission St., part-time while attending Central Michigan University until it closed. She is now aiming to open a bookstore of her own.

“I worked at the Book Mark for 20 years and, when they closed, I decided I wasn’t done selling books,” Moutsatson said. “Everything fell together. It was just the right place at the right time.”

Motsatson will open the Book Shelf, 1014 S. Mission St., within two to three weeks. She plans to stock mostly new and best-seller books with a limited selection of used materials.

A major competitor that specializes in used books is the Book Garden in downtown Mount Pleasant. Richard Templeman, Book Garden owner, is not concerned about the added competition.

“I think we’ve got a lot of good things going on here,” he said. “We’re finishing up our fourth year here, and the Book Mark was part of the community almost this whole time.”

Part of the focus for Book Garden, 114 S. Main St., is drawing people downtown, Templeman said. He orders new books and sells them below cost to drive foot traffic.

“Yeah, I take a hit for profit, but it gets people downtown,” he said.

Reaching out-of-towners

Both bookstores draw from different areas. Moutsatson chose the location on Mission Street to target people from out of town.

“In my experience at the Book Mark, many of our loyal customers were from surrounding areas, and I think they’re going to be better served,” she said. “There were some just fantastic people that I met working at the Book Mark and I hope they come here.”

Shirley Thompson is excited about the people that the store will bring to the area by her store, the Mount Pleasant Sewing Center and Quilt Shop, 1024 S. Mission St.

“As far as I am concerned, the more businesses there are, the better it is for all of us,” she said.

The two storefronts between the quilt shop and AutoZone, 1010 S. Mission Street, have been empty since Elizabeth’s Elegant Bridal closed in September and Video Land closed last spring.

Moutsatson is excited to bring a new business to the area.

“I love book people. I love books,” she said. “There’s just so little that can compare to reading a good book and having a good book in your hands.”