By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
deborah@wktv.org
For former Paramount Animation production manager Lea Kocurek, owning a bookstore was a decade-long dream that recently became a reality.
Located on the west side of Grand Rapids, Cellar Bird Books opened its doors at 415 Bridge St. NW on Nov. 18, 2024. Kocurek offers a carefully curated selection of new books for all ages, literary-themed gifts, monthly books clubs, author readings and more.
Rekindling a former passion…
Kocurek says she fell away from reading for pleasure during college but recently rediscovered her love of books – and began to dream.
“Opening a bookstore has been a dream of mine for about a decade or so,” says Kocurek. “I kind of got out of reading for fun, and once I discovered it again, I became a really avid reader.”
Between animation projects, Kocurek began researching what it would take to open a bookstore. A few months later, she felt the pull to make her dream a reality.
Already harboring a desire to move away from Los Angeles, Kocurek and her husband began looking at other parts of the country to see what appealed to them. After settling on Michigan, they narrowed it down further and arrived in Grand Rapids in 2021.
“We bought a house sight-unseen, and our first time stepping foot in Michigan was moving across the country,” says Kocurek. “We love it. We’re definitely putting down more roots with opening this store and everything, but I really love it.”
Falling in love…
Originally from Texas, Kocurek had moved to Los Angeles with her husband in 2015 to work at Paramount Animation. As she looks back, Kocurek realizes her world has always revolved around her love of storytelling.
“That dawned on me last summer when I was looking at both career paths,” says Kocurek. “I’m not necessarily the one telling the story, but I love bringing stories to people.”
Kocurek has fallen in love with Grand Rapids and the community, and stocks unique items made from local companies and independent artists. She also features books from several local authors.
“I’m trying to build that up a bit more as I get a little more established. I had to figure things out a little bit; this is all so new to me,” Kocurek says with a laugh. “It’s taken me a little bit of time to know how to even run a bookstore.”
When asked why she decided on the name Cellar Bird Books, Kocurek admitted the name was inspired by the times she found birds flying around in her basement.
“When I was looking for a name for the bookstore, I liked the ring of it and it fit the cozy/darker vibe I want the store to have.”
Kocurek says she loves all aspects of owning her own bookstore, but some things have caught her by surprise.
“I think the part that surprised me the most is the community aspect of it, and that it’s not just a store,” says Kocurek. “I’m starting to put together events and book clubs, and I enjoy it. I knew that aspect was there but didn’t quite understand how much of a foundation of the store it was.”
How to get books, books…and more books!
Event and book club information can be found here. Options to pre-order new releases, place a special order, shop online or simply view staff picks are also available on the Cellar Bird Books website.
If readers are searching for their next read, Kocurek recommends The Wedding People by Alison Espach, her favorite book of 2024.
To learn more about Cellar Bird Books, visit their website – or simply stop in!
