By SHANNON GEISEN
sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Sister Wolf Books will soon bid farewell to its Dorset location, ending a 20-year tie to the tiny village.
The beloved shop is moving in with its sister store, Beagle Books & Bindery of Park Rapids.
“We’re really excited about the move,” said co-owner Sally Wizik Wills. “We feel by consolidating, we’ll be stronger.”
The decision was made before the tragic September fire that destroyed two Dorset restaurants.
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A forthcoming retirement is driving the decision, said Wizik Wills.
Co-owner Bob Wills is retiring from his professorship at the University of North Dakota in May 2015.
The couple will become year-‘round Park Rapids residents.
Wizik Wills won’t be retiring, but a combined book store allows her to reduce her 70-hour-per-week workload.
It also gives daughter Jennifer Geraedts, who manages Beagle Books, more time to work in the bindery.
“Our hearts are in Dorset, but our future’s this way,” said Wizik Wills.
Sister Wolf Books celebrated its 20th anniversary in Dorset this past summer.
The original book store was founded by Mary Kay Watson in 1994, earning a reputation for quality book selections, discussion groups and special events.
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Wills and Wizik Wills purchased Sister Wolf in the fall of 2004, intent to carry on the tradition of excellence.
Sister Wolf’s popular book clubs will continue next summer and beyond, albeit at the Park Rapids location.
The Dorset Festival of Authors and Artists, held annually in June, will also relocate with Sister Wolf Books to Park Rapids.
“We hope people who love both stores will be comfortable there,” said Wizik Wills.
Most local book lovers are already familiar with both shops, she added.
“There’s a lot of overlap of clients between the two book stores,” she said.
They purchased Beagle Books from Jill and Deane Johnson in 2007.
Wizik Wills is busy shuffling inventory from Dorset to Park Rapids.
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In the meantime, they’re contemplating a new moniker.
“We’re looking for a new name that holds the essence of both stores and we are soliciting suggestions,” said Wizik Wills.
A grand re-opening will be held in May.
