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 Joining
Bates behind the ribbon were her husband Blinn, son Collin and his
best buddy Mo Tucker, daughter Emma, mother Lynda Collins, and
Julie’s sister Nicole who came from California to surprise her
sister for the grand opening event. Another special guest at the cut
was family Friend Bill Gossett. Others behind the ribbon included
Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, Alderpersons Kevin Bateman, Robin
McClallen and Wanda Lee Rohlfs along with City of Lincoln city clerk
Peggy Bateman and Treasurer Chuck Conzo. The group was also joined
by Logan County royalty Little Miss Olivia Harmsen. John &
karen Castelein held the ribbon for the LDN ribbon cutters.
Bates opened her business in November and has enjoyed getting off to
a good start with shoppers visiting during the gift giving season.
As a professor of English at Millikan university, Bates said that
she has taught writing skills and classes pertaining to publication
and has a pretty good knowledge of what it takes to produce a book,
but with the bookstore, she is diving into the “other side”
marketing the finished product.
She said that owning a bookstore has been on her wish
list for a while, and something she had talked about from time to
time with her husband Blinn. But she saw it as something to do some
day, but not necessarily right away. However, as often happens,
circumstances came together and with encouragement from her family
she decided that “someday” would be sooner rather than later.
Bates said she could see there was a need in Lincoln for a good
bookstore, and the more she thought on it, the more she knew she
wanted to do it. The more she thought on it the more she became
aware that there was a possibility that if she didn’t move on her
idea, someone else would have the same ambition and beat her to it.
After deciding that she might pursue her idea, she began thinking
about it and looking for a space. Again, everything fell into place
for her as she learned that Patrick Doolin, owner of Integrity Data
in the historic Scully Building had decided to move the majority of
the business to the second floor of the building and partition off a
space that could be utilized as a new retail space. Reaching out to
Doolin, she discovered that he had just finished his project, and
all that was left to do was to get it set up for the renter.
Doolin said he could get the space finished up
quickly as he figured she would want to be open before Christmas. So
by mid-November, Bates’ new Ink & Imprint was ready to open. Bates
said it had moved more quickly than she expected and had honestly
thought that she might host a few pop-up events before she could
actually open her store. She did offer one pop up at Guest House,
but then it was on to a brick and mortar of her own.
Bates said she needed to thank her parents and family who pitched in
to help. Her mom and dad Tom and Lynda Collins did a lot in the
building, getting bookshelves built and installed and much more. She
said some of the shelving she purchased, but much of the carpentry
work was done by her dad. She also sourced local furniture
refurbishers, the Podbelsek family for some of the tables.
Some of the special features inside the bookstore include the local
author table that features local authors and Illinois authors. There
is a children’s section where kids can sit with overstuffed animals
and look at books. Bates is also offering book related items such a
book marks, and book related puzzles.
The used book corner is special and is also somewhat limited. Bates
said that to control inventory, she is only taking good used books
on Tuesday and Sunday and will only take eight per customer per
visit. The customers are ultimately donating their books but receive
shopping credits for future purchases at Ink & Imprint.
On Friday, those who addressed the large crowd there
for the ribbon cutting included Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch who
thanked Bates for investing in the community and recognizing the
need for a bookstore. Kevin Bateman said that it is gratifying to
see new businesses come into the heart of the city as it was not
only within his ward, it was an investment in the wellbeing of the
downtown area.
Robin McClallen congratulated Bates on her new
business and wished her great success. WandaLee Rohlfs said that it
was good to see a variety of shops in Lincoln. She noted that there
was a bookstore in town before, and she thanked Bates for seeing the
need to bring one back and wished her all the best.
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Bill Gossett, as a close family friend was also
invited to say a few words. Gossett said it was a wonderful thing to
have a bookstore in Lincoln. He added that reading was a very
important and wonderful thing and looking out on the youth in the
crowd he said he would encourage parents to encourage their children
and to bring them to the bookstore. Gossett also acknowledged Doolin
and the work he has done to restore the Scully building after it was
gutted by a fire several years ago. He said Doolin was also to be
commended for investing in and preserving history in Lincoln.
It had been noted that Julie would be assisted with
the ribbon snip by her daughter Emma. Emma also has a small business
start up in the store as she has begun making her own candles and
offering them for sale at Ink & Imprint. Emma was asked if she would
like to say anything but declined, allowing her mom to speak on
their behalf.
Bates addressed the group saying she wanted to
express great appreciation for the support she has received from
family and friends. She spoke about the work her parents had done in
building shelves. She thanked Blinn for his support at the business
and at home.
With speeches completed, the group stood for the
posed pictured then the crowd offered the three-two-one-snip and
Julie and Emma Bates snipped the ribbon on their new business.
Afterward refreshments were offered as well as facepainting for the
kids.
There are some special events coming up in the future at Ink &
Imprint. On February 9th Dave Bishop will be at the bookstore
sharing with guests his poetry and photography. There are plans for
a children’s story time, forming a book club is in the works and
will probably start in March. Bates said she also hopes to host book
signings in the future.
Because she is still teaching at Millikin and working her store
hours around those responsibilities, she said that store hours may
have to change from time to time. However, in the immediate future
the store will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 5
p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday and closed on
Monday. Also, changes to the schedule will be posted on social
media.
[Nila Smith]
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