Bob Foos
The books are on shelves displayed perfectly on tables. The children’s section is in place. In fact, “all things bookish:” t-shirts, tote bags, games, puzzles and decor are attractively showcased.
All that’s left now are for customers to come through corner door at 29 S. Main St. on Jan. 3 for the opening of Somewhere in Time Bookshop.
“We’re ready,” says Eric Rickey, as he and his wife, Shelley, continue with the little details left to do before opening the store. “When you’re down to putting stickers on bags, you’re ready.”
Opening a book store hadn’t always been on Eric’s mind. After being in business management for 15 years and owning Wildfire Pizza on South Madison Street, a medical problem forced him take doctor’s orders to take it easy for a year.
It was during that time off that he wrote his first book, “Beautiful; Crazy,” a police novel involving bootlegging in Joplin.
“I enjoyed it so much I wrote another one,” says Eric.
“A Bird’s-Eye View” is the title of his second book, a mystery thriller.
Then there was a third, “The Incredible Lies of Lester Peabody,” a medical mystery set in Riverton, Kan., and Pittsburg, Kan. “I enjoyed researching that,” he says.
His fourth book, his first attempt at fantasy, is now at the printer’s.
While pursuing his new passion, Eric drew part of his inspiration to open a store from their daughter, Morgan, because “she’s big into books.”
“It made sense since there’s no bookstores in Webb City.
His search for a location stopped when he got a tour of the recently renovated Century and Clark Dodson buildings. There were two vacant spaces to choose from, but he was “struck by the corner entrance, of the building on the corner.”
There’s also an entrance in the back coming from a parking lot.
After the shop opens, Eric says, “I hope to be writing another book while customers are shopping or sitting on the couch reading.”
