Old Town Books aims to provide “an oasis in West Texas where individuals can share and celebrate the written word.”

After forty years in education, including more than twenty-five years as an English professor at Angelo State University, Mary Ellen Hartje is embarking on her next chapter—a brand-new bookstore. Hartje discovered retirement wasn’t for her, so after a heart-to-heart with her daughters (who offered their encouragement), she set out to fulfill a dream. Old Town Books plans a November 29, 2019 opening.

Hartje found a wonderful building to lease and a business manager, and work is underway. Bookshelves were installed on October 9, and you can follow Hartje’s progress on the store’s Facebook page here. If Facebook isn’t your thing, then you can follow along on Instagram here.

Regular store hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The store will be closed on Sunday.

Road trip! Y’all in?