Hedgehog INK, 16 S. Main, had no more space for their books.
Jan and Dick Hedges opened the bookstore in October 2018.
“We were running out of space for all our books,” Jan Hedges said. “I have wanted a space where I can have author talks, writing groups, reading groups…a space where people can meet for whatever reason.”
So they annexed the back two-story room of the building next door, adjacent to theirs, an approximate 1,200 square foot space, and extended to the back of the current store to make a 9 foot by 16-foot children’s area, she said.
The Hedges started the expansion in January 2021.
“It’s a work in progress,” she said.
Their plan is to start children’s storytime in September, Jan said.
The expanded larger space is for meeting rooms, and the walls are full of research and reference books.
“We were able to save the tin roof and wood floors,” she said. “The building was built in the 1870s.
The Hedgehog INC building, and the one next door, are all owned by Jared Leek, who has remodeled these and several other downtown Fort Scott buildings.
In the mezzanine area of the expanded space is a seating area with large windows to read and relax.
“With the additional space we are able to spread out our fiction area more, to be able to see them better,” Jan said.
The bookstore hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
To see the latest, view their Facebook page.