2022 Perry Photo Challenge Jordan Moore, Finalist
A New Chapter
After over 30 years of business, A Novel Idea Bookstore in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska has endured a multitude of challenges, including a pandemic that forced them to close their doors. Today, they have adapted and shifted their way of doing business, but one thing has always stayed the same: their love of books and the care they have for their community. Through my photo essay, I want to display how a small business has bounced back to create new memories and connections that will last a lifetime.
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A Novel Idea Bookstore in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska booms with business as passersby venture inside. The bookstore is celebrating First Friday and the Read in Color program, which supports stocking diverse children's books in Little Free Libraries in town on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 6:30p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism
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Eddy, one of the two cats that live in the bookstore, receives affection from a customer as he sleeps peacefully in the front window at A Novel Idea Bookstore in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 6:30p.m Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
Amid the end of the mask mandate, customers are greeted with a comforting safety message at the door of A Novel Idea Bookstore in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 7:16p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
Bookstore owner Cinnamon Dokken holds a photo album from 1997, while sharing a moment of laughter and nostalgia with bookstore manager Katherine Bergstrom at A Novel Idea Bookstore in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, March 4, 2022, at 6:15p.m. They celebrated the bookstore's 30th year of business last September. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
Bookstore manager Katherine Bergstrom, seen through a fully stocked bookcase, listens intently to a customer at the register at A Novel Idea Bookstore in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 6:49p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
Longtime customer Ken Gobbert browses the shelves of A Novel Idea Bookstore on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 7:41p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
Signs point customers to the lower level, while bookseller Delaina Sanden answers the phone and checks the shelf of books on hold at A Novel Idea Bookstore on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 5:44p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
Siblings Gabi Johnson and Elias Johnson are seen reading from one book in an alcove on the bottom floor of A Novel Idea Bookstore on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 5:25p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
Bookseller Isaac Hatfield and manager Katherine Bergstrom share a moment of laughter while bookseller Delaina Sanden helps a customer at the register at A Novel Idea Bookstore on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 5:41p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
A recently abandoned stuffed animal sits in the children's book section. Until it is reunited with its owner, it comforts customers and staff during the day at A Novel Idea Bookstore on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 5:37p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
Local artist Arden Ellen Nixon and manager Katherine Bergstrom share a loving hug at the end of a long day of selling books and art at A Novel Idea Bookstore on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 7:58p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism -
A Novel Idea Bookstore closes its door for the day, sending customers off with a message that reads "Thank you, Novel Idealists, for supporting our local business!" Customers wait eagerly outside for the door to open again on Friday, March 4, 2022 - 8:00p.m. Photo by Jordan Moore / Sophomore / Journalism