New home, new name

WAITSBURG-The addition of screen printing services meant not only a move for Ju's Traveling Pages book and gift store on Waitsburg's Main Street, but a new name as well. The move is a short one – one block north on Main – and the new name, Words-n-Print, better reflects the business offerings.

Store owner Jessika Bannerman, along with her mother and silent partner Pam Chapman, transformed an empty Main Street building into a warm, welcoming reading nook last March. An act they re-performed this last month, with the new move.

When Bannerman decided she wanted to go into screen printing, she knew the business would need more space than what her cozy 360 square-foot shop allowed. Hence, the move to the former Delta Connection building at the north end of Waitsburg's Main Street.

The building was last utilized by Deb and Ray Fosnot, who operated R&D creations, a wood art business, from the site in 2013.

Bannerman and Chapman spent the first two weeks of July transforming the space into a friendly and hospitable environment, ideal for browsing, chatting and reading. With plenty of room to spare, Words-n-Print boasts two seating areas, a children's play and reading area, displays of planners, jewelry and gift items and an open view of the new Ryonet four-color screen printing press.

The duo attended Ryonet training in Portland last weekend where Chapman said they learned a "tremendous amount."

"We really want to fill a need while being different from other companies and uniquely ourselves," Chapman said.

To that end, the business plans to promote more recycled shirts, including one that is made of 50 percent water bottles, 50 percent cotton and 50 percent modal, which is made from hardwood trees such as birch and oak.

"We are really excited to try and promote products that are environmentally green and to be environmentally green ourselves, including the products we use to clean the screens," Chapman said.

The shop is up and running and has already completed several custom orders, including their first large order for the Dayton-Waitsburg athletic combine volleyball camp.

The bookstore is keeping active as well. A free writing class, led by Jessika, who is a certified teacher and book lover, meets on Tuesday evenings at 5 p.m. Participants meet to share their work and glean input, ideas and constructive criticism from one another. The current class is well underway, but a class is planned for the fall that will be open to new participants.

A monthly book club meets the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. The August title is The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin and books are available at the store at a 10 percent discount. Readers will gather Aug. 28 to discuss the book.

The store celebrated its move with a book signing by young adult author Jackson Graham on July 12. More author appearances are planned, including one by local author Joe Just.

A grand opening event is planned for the weekend of Aug. 2-4. Locals are encouraged to check out the new space and press. There will be a sale on gift items, a gift card drawing, and Chapman is hoping to have some local suppliers on site to talk about their product.

Keep apprised of business updates at Ju's Traveling Pages: Words-n-Print on Facebook.

Word-n-Print

Grand Opening Aug. 2-5

Summer Hours:

Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 1-4 p.m.

Sat.-Sun. 11a.m.-3 p.m.

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Ju's Traveling Pages: Words-n-Print