Meet McKenzie Crawford | Bookstore Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with McKenzie Crawford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi McKenzie, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I was young, I always had a fascination of books. It was incredible how words on a page could take my mind someplace completely different. If I read a book and I really loved it, I’d read all the books written by the author of the book I loved. I have so many memories of asking my Dad what words meant or what context certain sentences were and really bonding with him. The books that stick out the most are the Harry Potter series. My Dad always kept up with theories, author facts, fan fictions for the series so he could engage any questions I had. Something about it always made me think to myself “yep, that’s what I’m going to do when I’m older.” Throughhout the years, I homed in on that feeling of wanting to be knowledgeable of books and authors like my Dad and my dream because to work in a bookstore. When I became an adult and started my own family, that wish to work in a bookstore hung around somewhere in my subconscious. When my kids asked me to read to them, it would make the bookworm in me jump in delight.

At start of 2021, after a long reading slump, I began reading books again. Anytime I had a moment and I hated buying all of them from Amazon when there are local bookstore to support. I struggled with wanting to drive long distances to support small businesses and wanting books delivered to me quickly. I started following many independent bookstores on social media, found ones that provided shipping, and started my book buying that route. Throughout this process, that wish to work in a bookstore quickly emerged from wherever it hid away inside of me and it nagged. It nagged until one day I told my fiancé, “I don’t know if this will work and I don’t know if our community wants this, but I have to open a bookstore.” We worked out some minor details and took the leap. I started out as a pop up shop/online store. Partly because my anxiety said I needed to test waters before plunging into the world of small business owner. By July of 2021, only 4 months after starting, my house was overtaken by my small business. It was clear to my fiancé and I, these items had to go somewhere. It just so happened there were a couple locations in our downtown available for rent. Around the same time my younger brother, who happens to be autistic, got placed on a waitlist for a local job program. With him just graduating high school and my business’ events slowing, and then a long waitlist for his next “thing,” my brother was in a slump. He had a hard time with the new lack of routine and I struggled to find more work for him to help me with. My Mom made a comment that made me go “aha!” She said, “if only you had a storefront, we could all keep busy doing the things you can’t delegate while working out of your home. It was as if there was a big sign in front of my face screaming “this is your dream! Do it now! Look at all the signs! Do it!”

The idea for my business came from a mix of a little girl’s love of books and storytelling, an adult woman’s passion for books, community and family, and a strong bond with my younger, disabled brother who was deemed “unhireable” by standard workaces. I don’t know if it was the spark my parents put in me by reading to me as a child or my friendship and advocacy work with my brother, or even just my love of books that made this business happen, but I’m glad it happened.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is a small, independent bookstore located in Carroll, Iowa. We carry new and used books, games, puzzles, book accessories, apparel, etc. As well as carry items from 10 local vendors. I run the business with my family memebers. As a small business owner, I wanted to make sure the decisions I made were positive ones. I wasn’t trying to set myself apart from other local businesses, however I did know going into it I wanted to be a safe space for multiple communities. We often celebrate the Neurodivergent community, disabled communities, diverse communities, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. I took it upon myself to become the first business in Iowa to receive the Better Community Sensory Inclusive Certification, given by Autism Career Pathways. We are only the second bookstore in the country to receive this certification as well.

I pride my business on being a family owned, low waste environment, and accommodating retail space. It wasn’t easy building myself and my business to the point we are at today, but I worked hard and will continue to work hard. During these times, prices for supplies, packaging, gas, etc., are all high. It can make it difficult to run a business the way I’d like it to continue to run. Picking the low waste option or the more accommodating option can have financial repercussions. I spend most of my free time researching and making sure the products we carry and the policies we hold support us and our views as well as don’t dig us into too large of a financial hole. Some days are hard, but our community is so gracious and understanding and that always helps remind me why we keep pushing.

Overtime, I’ve learned you really can’t please everyone. So whatever decision I’m making, after taking into account all parties I possibly can, I make sure it is a decision I can say I’m proud of. I recommend to anyone wanting to start their own business to take their own path and to not stretch themselves thin trying to do everything just to make everyone happy. It’ll leave you unhappy and eventually dissatisfied with yourself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If someone would happen to find themselves in my area, I’d recommend visiting the amazing small businesses ran by families that make up our downtown shops. Almost anywhere you visit gives you small town, friendly vibes. Next door to my bookstore, Books and Bakery, is a small shoe store called Michael’s Shoes that’s been in business for about 40 years! The owner knows all things shoes and is very fun to speak with about the community and its history. Up the street from Books and Bakery is a hair salon, Meraki, co-owned by my sister in-law. In the same area, we have a cute little art store (Artworks Studio), an adorable baby boutique (Jena Bug Baby Boutique), a couple boutiques for teens and adults (Blush Boutique, We the Dreamerz, etc.), a crossfit gym, and much more. Window shopping in downtown Carroll isn’t disappointing.

If you’re looking for a drink while in Carroll, check out Brother’s on Main, Piranha Club, and Kerps. Some local restaurants and cafés you wouldn’t want to miss: Rancho Grande, Jaliscos, Queen Beans, Family Table, and there are plenty more as well as others in the small towns surrounding Carroll! If you’re willing to drive 15 miles out of town, you can visit the town of Templeton, Iowa where the famous Templeton Rye is made.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family deserves almost all of the recognition for my story. I don’t think it’d be much of a story if I didn’t have each of them around. My parents taught me to have a strong opinion and work ethic as well as remain kind, soft, and compassionate. They always taught me balance in all areas of my life. I didn’t know at the time they were instilling it in me, but looking back I can see all the lessons they shared. They’re also the ones that sparked my love and passion for reading. Without the love I formed of books and researching authors, I don’t think I would’ve ever dreamt of being a bookstore owner.

My younger brother, Alex, also plays such a large role in my life. Alex is autistic and has a range of other disabilities as well. Growing up, we were extremely close and we became even closer as we both became adults. My love of books, reading, and advocating kind of seemed over to him. Seeing him be neurodivergent, growing up in a world made for neurotypical people, made me want to find a way to make a section of the world that’s accessible for him, always. When I opened up business, I worked my business model and values around my own as well as Alex. I wanted it to be a space he could enter and work with proper accommodations. Without him, I think the store would still have a heart, but it would be as big of a heart.

I have a younger sister as well, Taylor, who deserves some credit for my new story as a bookstore owner. She was my first critic and realist. Honestly, this is the case for most of our lives though not just with me starting a bookstore. We are 13 months apart in age so I can’t remember a time before she was in my life. She has always been right there to ask me if I’m sure. She would always ask me “why” and “for what?” Taylor was never mean or intended to cause doubt. She wanted to be reassured before she formed an opinion and wanted all the facts before saying “yay” or “nay.” It was her constant questioning about how I’d manage the store, where inventory comes from, how much startup would cost, how I’d advertise, if I’d fundraiser, etc. The list is endless, but it made me overthink and account for every little thing.

Of course my fiancé and my kids have to be mentioned as well. They have been saints with the process. I went from a stay at home mom to a in home daycare provider to bookstore owner. They have been so graceful and patient as I navigate my new role as a small business owner. The kids, Theo and Eli, inspire me everyday. Whenever I doubt myself, I look to them. My oldest, Theo, mentions to me at least once day how much he loves my store and wants to go back. The youngest, Eli, squeals in jot every time he visits the bookstore and sees a new product or display. My fiancé, Calub, has cheered me on throughout the highs and lows of starting a business during Covid.

They say it takes a village to raise kids, but I’ve found it to also ring some truth with the growth of a new business. Without my mother, Nichole, and my brother, Alex, managing the store, I wouldn’t be able to be open 6 days a week. Without my Father, Mark, there’d be no way the shelves and fixtures would look in such fabulous condition as they do. He’s done all of the (literal) heavy lifting for me. From setting up my tables and shelves at pop ups, to building and fixing shelves in my brick and mortar, my dad makes it happen. Of course there’s so many people I could credit for the story that is my life, these are the people who make daily impacts to me, my soul, and my business.

Website: www.booksnbakery.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/booksandbakeryllc

Facebook: www.facebook.com/booksandbakeryllc