For as long as I can remember (okay, maybe since watching You've Got Mail), I've dreamed of opening an independent bookstore.

I've always been drawn to stories—not only the ones found on bookshelves, but the ones that unfold around them. As a writer, illustrator, former teacher, and lifelong reader, I've seen how books have a way of bringing people together across generations, sparking conversations, and helping us better understand ourselves and one another.

After earning my MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University, I realized I didn't want to spend years waiting for the "right time" to begin. Instead, I decided to start with what I had: an Airstream trailer, a carefully chosen collection of books, and a hope that Lake Stories could become something our community would grow alongside.

Every pop-up is another step toward a larger vision—a neighborhood bookstore where people gather for story times, author events, book clubs, classes, thoughtful gifts, and the simple joy of discovering a book they didn't know they needed.

Thank you for joining us at the beginning of the journey. I can't wait to see where the story goes.

— Sara Pimental, Founder & Owner