Chelsea Stover and Lyndsey Pratt show off their new and used book inventory within The Literary Escape bookstore in downtown Chester. The store is the fulfilling of a childhood dream for the cousins, who will be open for business starting April 8. The store is located at 436 Carolina Ave. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

CHESTER — Most little girls share dreams of fashion dolls and dream weddings; however, Lindsey Pratt and Chelsea Stover are anything but typical.

With a shared love of books, the women are preparing to open The Literary Escape bookstore in downtown Chester this month.

This is the first brick-and-mortar for the women’s enterprise.

A married mother of four, Pratt teaches preschool at an area daycare in western Pennsylvania. Born in Chester, she now resides in New Cumberland with her family.

From East Liverpool, Stover is employed as the general manager for the Chester McDonald’s location across the street and herself is a wife and mother of six children.

Initially the women, who are cousins, took a mobile trailer containing their bookstore on the road at locations like Rogers Sale and area vendor shows. Pratt credits her husband Christopher as the man often found towing said trailer to vending appearances and providing key maintenance during their mobile days.

Quickly, the women decided they wanted a more permanent home for their operation. The former Carolina Cafe, located across the street from Stover’s day job, provided the perfect setting.

With its wood paneled walls and cozy atmosphere, it provides a quaint backdrop for the store’s variety of new and lightly used book titles of various genres; bibliophile swag as well as accessories for your favorite book nook.

“We want this to place that is comfortable for the whole family,” explained Pratt — especially the youth, so they can see enjoy the benefits of reading.

A back room will act as a children’s lounge, as both Pratt and Stover want grownups to feel comfortable, bringing their children along on the trips to the bookstore, whether picking of the latest new arrival or attending one of The Literary Escape’s events like a book club meeting, artist appearance or a story time for the littles.

The women don’t wish to replace the efforts of the Lynn Murray Memorial Library, which is less than a half mile away next to Allison Elementary School, but to offer additional options for families who might not be able to attend library hours due to scheduling conflicts.

While the library is primarily open during the day, the bookstore provides area residents with programming and shopping opportunities later in the day.

Both women list psychological thrillers, suspense and romantasy (romantic fantasy) as their personal favorite readings; however, they stress that their inventory is not limited to those venues.

“We will have something for everybody,” Stover concluded.

Although they will be open for business starting April 8, their official grand opening is set for April 10 with their first event, the J.C. Dawn artist signing, set for April 11.

Additional information about The Literary Escape and their upcoming calendar can be found on the bookstore’s Facebook page and TikTok. The store, located at 436 Carolina Ave., also can be reached via phone at 330-303-8846.

The store’s hours will be somewhat fluid at first.

During the first week of business, The Literary Escape will be open noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Sunday as well as 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays.

The pair expects that as they gain knowledge of their customers’ shopping preferences, the hours will reflect those changes and will be announced on social media.