By Scott Carlson
Winding Trail Books is the newest retailer in Milton Square in downtown St. Anthony Park, filling a void left by the recent closing of Micawber’s Books this spring,
Sue Costello and Rick Gahm, a Vadnais Heights couple, are co-owners of the new book and gift shop, which debuted the July 18th weekend with two authors appearing for book signings and other special events.
Costello said opening Winding Trail Books is a fulfillment of one life ambition.
“As a book lover who has spent many hours in libraries and bookstores over the years, it has always been a dream of mine to own a bookstore,” she said. “Rick and I both bring to the business years of experience, including owning our own businesses.” Gahm ran a mortgage company, while Costello, who worked in finance and early childhood, has “extra love for children’s books.”
Costello said she and Gahm were looking for “the perfect space to open our store and fell in love with the space at Milton Square. Our bookstore is named Winding Trail Books for our love of nature and the time that we spent going on long walks talking about our dreams of owning our own book/gift store.
She added, “We hope to be a place where you can discover a new book or author or where you can revisit a book or author from your past.”
Winding Trail will carry a variety of merchandise for all ages, including books, puppets, stuffed animals, book bags and gift baskets. The store’s inventory also includes products from Bartolucci, an Italian family-run business that includes wood-crafted collector items, such as statues.
At the Bugle’s press deadline, Winding Trail planned to kick off its official opening on Thursday, July 18, with author Amy Pendino signing copies of her book, The Witness Tree. The next day, author Lorna Landvik, whose books include Chronicles of a Radical Hag and Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, is scheduled to sign her books.
On Saturday, July 20, there will be an appearance of people from the Minnesota Raptor Center, as well as Jay Kalk from the band The Church of Cash playing an acoustic set of Johnny Cash songs.
On Saturday, July 27, children’s author Amanda Huneke will sign copies of her book, Why Not.
The bookstore’s August calendar includes an Aug. 10 book-signing by children’s author Erin Hangero, who wrote Earth of Foxes. On Aug. 15, KARE 11 meteorologist Belinda Jensen will sign copies of her Bel the Weather Girl series. More upcoming events will be posted soon on Winding Trail Books’ website at WindingTrailBooks.com.
