By Emma Garrett, Staff Writer
Just a short drive into town, Dade City holds a local literary gem. Since 1979, The Book Shack has remained a staple of the Dade City community by selling and trading used books. Upon entering The Book Shack, customers are greeted with a horizon of shelves brimming with books, the smell of paper and freshly brewed coffee, the sounds of engaging conversations, and the delightful help of friendly staff. Readers and collectors travel across from Florida to downtown Dade City just to visit the owner, Kristy Kassabaum, and spend the day at the beloved store.
Kassabaum became the spearhead of the storefront after purchasing it from her grandmother-in-law, Jo, in 2016. For years, the business has been providing readers with an affordable selection of noteworthy novels and new releases. Kassabaum started her career in education as she was studying to become a high school teacher. However, when Jo began to consider retiring, Kassabaum was determined to keep the business alive and in the family. Although she was nervous, she took the business in full stride when the day had finally come.
“It was at that moment I said, ‘ok, it’s now or never,’” Kassabaum said.
Anxiously, she sat down with her husband to discuss whether they were equipped to accept the challenges of running a small business. It was scary for her to quit a financially stable job that she had been working towards for so long. Eventually, she pulled the trigger by buying the business and worked rigorously to manage the store full-time.
“You don’t want to live with regrets, right?” Kassabaum said.
The first order of business as the new owner was to relocate the store. The store has resided in four locations within Downtown Dade City over the years to fit with what was needed at the time. The two locations used when Jo owned the store were sufficient, but they had little foot traffic and needed a refresh. When Kassabaum took over, she swiftly transferred the store up the road. The new location had its challenges as well; the space was simply too small for the number of books coming in. As it became increasingly more difficult to organize stock, Kassabaum began to dream of elevating her business.
“My dream was to expand,” Kassabaum explained, “to bring in some coffee and make it a destination.”
That dream came true in 2024 when the shop was moved to its current location on Pasco Avenue. With the new location, they were able to collaborate with The Farmhouse Café to sell coffee and pastries, build a dedicated children’s section, incorporate toys and gifts, include a lounge, and host author events in their new free space. The growth of the store not only impressed customers, but many describe that it improved the overall shopping experience for them.
“My daughter likes to take her time while shopping for books,” Rebecca Messer, a regular customer, said. “While she spends an hour browsing, I can grab a coffee and doze off on the couch.”
Although they have expanded to include new novels and merchandise, used books remain at the center of the establishment. Purchasing and trading used books is a straightforward process designed to satisfy both the customer and retailer. The procedure is as simple as just bringing in your well-loved books and receiving store credit to use in the future.
Competing with large chains has allowed Kassabaum to curate her selection and organize events based on her customers’ needs. Shopping at The Book Shack gives consumers a more personalized experience while offering affordable prices. Reading has become an increasingly more expensive activity, so it is important that retailers keep books accessible to all audiences. However, it isn’t always about prices that makes reselling books so important.
“You’re keeping books out of landfills, and it gives value to those who like to read,” Kassabaum said.
The book industry is rapidly changing, especially in the age of digital media. It can be nerve-wracking to run a business that has to keep up with rising and falling trends. Despite the stressful work, Kassabaum wouldn’t have it any other way.
“The main thing that I have learned over the past decade that I want to impart is that if you have a dream, go for it,” Kassabaum said. “I could give you a thesis on why I shouldn’t have quit my job and buy the store, but if you really wanted it bad enough, go for it and follow your dreams.”
That dream can be shared by simply walking through the doors. Readers connect with local stories through The Book Shack’s author events. Parents invigorate a love of reading in their children’s hearts in the abundantly stocked children’s room. Friends sit and catch up over a drink and pastry on the couch. After so many years of hard work, Kassabaum’s risky investment had born fruit as the old storefront transformed into a choice destination that allows the reading community to come together and bond over their love of books.
