Lake Mills woman uses love of books and crafts to open new business

By Ayanna Eckblad

LAKE MILLS — The Lake Mills community recently welcomed a new business to town.

The Tiny Bookshelf is a store that carries books for all ages as well as space for people to come and make craft projects. It is at 213 W. Main St.

The store’s owner, Meaghan Welter, works for the Lake Mills school district as a paraeducator. She is married and has three school-age children.

Welter said she came up with the idea for The Tiny Bookshelf using inspiration from her own life.

She described herself as an avid reader, averaging about three to four books read per week. She mainly enjoys mysteries and thrillers, but said she is always open to recommendations from friends to help her get out of her reading comfort zone. She also loves crafts and throwing children’s birthday parties.

“I love crafting, and I love the idea of kids being creative, but I don’t love all the stuff in my house,” Welter said. “And I know a lot of parents that feel that same way.”

She wanted to set up a space where everyone could gather and let their creativity flow without the fear of making their own houses or workspaces cluttered.

“It just kept evolving. It was one idea that just kind of snowballed,” she said.

After coming up with the idea for the store in April, Welter learned a space may be open for her on Main Street in Lake Mills. The building houses numerous businesses such as Main Street Nutrition, 5 Alarm Brewing Co. and the Dr. Korthals and Associates eye clinic. Mike Korthals is also the landlord of the building. After reaching out to him, Korthals told Welter the space was hers if she was willing to put in the work to transform it to what she wanted.

Welter acquired the building space in June and spent the next few weeks painting, putting in flooring, stringing lights and setting up shelves.

“Getting it ready in like three weeks was challenging,” she said. After creating and launching an official website for the business, it was ready to go.

The Tiny Bookshelf opened to the public during Lake Mills’ July Jubilee celebration, which was from July 11 through 13. She held a mini cake decorating bar during the opening as a fun way to introduce her business to everyone.

“I think Lake Mills takes to new businesses really well here,” Welter said. “We were super swamped that Friday night I opened.”

The Tiny Bookshelf is currently available to book for birthday parties. Welter is hoping to soon have more workshop crafting classes as well as monthly book club meetings.

Saturday will be the store’s first adult craft night. Participants will make a food tray painted to look like a slice of fruit. The class is $20 and includes all materials. Welter said there are limited supplies available, so the best way to ensure your spot is to stop in at the store before the event and pay in advance. The class will be held open house style from 6 to 8 p.m. at the store.

Welter said she will post weekly hours on the store’s Facebook page for the remainder of the summer as she accommodates store hours with the busy schedules of her family. During the school year, she plans to open the store from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays with opening hours on Saturdays as well.

“I got a lot of great feedback, and people have really been enjoying coming in,” Welter said. “I just want people to know that it’s for everybody.”

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