Former librarian opens dream bookstore in Waupun

Jennifer Much

Contributor

December 16, 2024

WAUPUN – Bookstores are known to be filled with classics, collections and stories yet to be discovered.

For Meaghan DeJager – owner of Charming Reads in Waupun – they are also filled with adventure that comes in the form of business ownership.

From children’s books to young adult literature, DeJager said customers can find a variety of riveting page-turners

DeJager said the shelves at Charming Reads – which opened earlier this year – are filled with high-quality secondhand books, ranging from children’s books and young adult literature to academic texts and mysteries.

Turning a new page

Before she took on the title of entrepreneur, DeJager said she used to be a librarian.

Though she enjoyed every aspect of the job, she said she felt that there were different things she wanted to do that didn’t fit just one job description.

After a conversation with a friend, who herself had previously owned a used bookstore in Kansas, DeJager said she was inspired to open Charming Reads (20 S. Madison St.). 

“After talking to my friend, I realized I could do everything I loved about working in a library in my store, as well as be true to my faith, which is important to me and I hope to reflect that,” she said.

When it came to planning her business, DeJager said she had more than just the experience of being an avid reader and having worked in a library.

The master’s degree in library science she earned from the University of Iowa, DeJager said has been very beneficial to her new endeavor.

“During my coursework at the University of Iowa School of Library and Information Sciences program, I took courses on young adult and children’s literature, preservation, as well as other reference work – all of this helps me to better assist my customers,” she said.

DeJager said her degree has taught her to be resourceful in knowing where to look for items to order, and how to create eye-catching book displays.

Plus, she said she learned the value of categorizing books in different ways to shelve them, which doubles as a benefit for inventory and as a convenience for her customers.

“Having worked in Special Collections and Archives, Academic and Public Libraries, I know what the community is interested in, what becomes popular and what to look for when buying used books for my store,” she said.

Through her own studies, DeJager said she acquired important skills needed to run a successful bookstore, especially for the classes.

“I was lucky enough to have taught a few classes at the University of Iowa Special Collections and Archives and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Fond du Lac campus, which has helped prepare me to teach classes for my business,” she said.

‘A whimsical space’

When customers stop by Charming Reads, DeJager said they can expect a cozy, welcoming and organized atmosphere complimented by many books.

“You wouldn’t expect to be in a used bookstore when you walk in,” she said. “My store has high-quality used books, meaning I make sure the books are in great condition when they go on my shelves.”

The store, DeJager said, offers a wide variety of genres available that appeal to all age groups – including a children’s section in the lower level that offers board books through tween.

On the main floor, she said customers will find nonfiction, mystery and romance novels, which are articulately stocked for young adults and adults alike.

“I enjoy helping people find a new book through recommendations,” she said. “If I don’t have it on the shelf, I will order it for them.”

DeJager said customers can also find small gift items and assorted treasures for sale, including crafts, coloring books, book nooks, journals and earrings. 

Along with the store’s collection of book titles and trinkets, she said one of the store’s “whimsical” features is its ladders.

“I have tall bookshelves that you need a ladder to reach the top shelf, so I have ladders that glide along the shelves like the library in ‘Beauty and the Beast,’” she said. “It is a book lover’s dream come true.”

The building that Charming Reads is housed in, DeJager said, was built in 1900, highlights a historical charm and is conveniently located – elements that made it a perfect fit for her small-town bookstore.

“When I was looking for a storefront for my business, I knew I wanted to be in downtown Waupun near the coffee shop, Wind and Unwined,” she said. 

DeJager said she describes shopping for books with a cup of coffee as “the best feeling” – which further cemented her desire to be located within the circle of businesses downtown.

She said she credits her aunt, a fellow entrepreneur, as well as her neighbors for helping her in finding her dream space.

After her neighbors purchased the building she is now in, DeJager said they helped her work through the process of renting her storefront.

“My aunt owns Step A Head Styling, which is on the opposite side of me in the same building, and my neighbors are great landlords so I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said.

Repairing, recycling books

During her time working in Special Collections and Archives at the University of Iowa, DeJager said she learned how to properly care for books, which led to her adding book repair to Charming Reads’ list of services.

Though each book has a different process, depending on what needs to be fixed, she said these repairs can help extend a book’s life or even preserve cherished memories.

“This service will be helpful to my customers because people have books that mean a lot to them,” she said.

DeJager said she hopes to help customers keep their items in good condition so they can be passed on to future generations but also encourages a little creativity.

Sometimes books may be beyond repair, but she said customers will soon be able to take classes at Charming Reads to recycle them instead.

“My future classes are all going to be tailored around recycling old books that can’t be sold and turning them into fun decor,” she said.

DeJager said she has many crafty ideas in the works, including classes for making decorative trees out of book pages, book-folding and card and journal creation.  

“I am working on doing a Galentine’s Day event where we are going to make book flowers and then put them in a flower bouquet,” she said.

Those interested in attending a class, DeJager said, can follow Charming Reads on social media for future class information.

Inspiring the community one book at a time

By providing a comfortable space and tailored services at Charming Reads, DeJager said she hopes to inspire customers and those around her to discover a passion for reading. 

“I believe there is a book out there for everyone,” she said. “If you’re not a reader, or want to start reading, we need to find the book that draws you in.”

Paired with her desire to help others and her own love of reading, DeJager said she is looking forward to connecting with her customers. 

“(Many) of my books are from the community through donations or purchases, and I want to continue that in the future to keep connected with the community,” she said.

DeJager said she also plans to invite customers to participate in a book club for a more personable experience.

The club, she said, will entail meeting over food or a craft and discussing a good story, while participants learn more about each other.

“I hope these acts help the community know me more and make my store a personal place for them to shop, enjoy, and feel like home,” she said.

Looking toward the future, DeJager said she wants to evolve her business to meet the needs of her customers, including by offering more gift items to encourage local shopping.

For now, she said she will focus on maintaining her shop and helping customers to discover new selections.

“I want to make sure my customers leave satisfied and happy with their purchases,” she said. “Reading offers a chance to see the world from the comfort of home, to be a detective, own different businesses, learn magic and experience different cultures, all through the pages of books.”

Charming Reads is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

The store is closed Sundays and Mondays. 

For more information, visit charmingreadswaupun.com.