Teenage bookseller seeks support as she gets ready for a new life chapter

When 15-year-old Halley Vincent got into the book business two years ago, she had no idea where her love for reading would take her.

“I think a lot of people kind of have the idea that when I was eight, I woke up and planned out the next six years, but really I didn't,” said Halley Vincent, Seven Stories owner.

She owns Seven Stories bookstore in Shawnee.

Olivia Acree / KSHB

“You know a bookstore is a special space when people come into the store and they're talking in a group, and then someone else kind of chimes into their conversation, and next thing you know, we're exchanging phone numbers,” said Vincent.

Now Vincent's building is under new ownership, and she expects she’ll have to leave the building this year.

“I'm kind of forced with the idea of having to move and so I am fundraising,” said Vincent.

She’s staying positive and remembering how far she’s come.

“There's a lot of reasons that I got into this,” said Vincent. “Books are a really big part of my life really growing up. My mom, she would take me to the library a lot for the little toddler baby story times at the library.

For Vincent, any place with books is a special place, and access to them should be easy.

“I think kids are really limited to the books that are put in front of them. A kid can't drive a car, and it's really hard for them to go places. It's important that they're provided to kids,” said Vincent.

Vincent started a GoFundMe to raise money to help meet her December move out goal.