As many know, dreams take time to come to fruition. Sometimes, they take years before the proverbial flowers fully bloom.

For Gina Rabitoy, her passion for the arts and literature led her to buy an empty space on 84th Street, smack dab in the heart of downtown Byron Center, to pursue her dream of opening a bookstore. In 2021, the idea of Rolling Rabbit Books was born.

The store officially opened in 2023, but not exactly as Rabitoy first planned. You see, the lot near the corner of 84th and Byron Center Avenue is 2,200-square feet. However, Rabitoy decided that, in order to get the children’s bookstore off the ground, she needed to open the front half of the space. The decision paid off, as Rolling Rabbit quickly became a hit in town with both young kids, parents, and other family members. On top of that, Rabitoy has found business outside of the store, as area schools have purchased books through her, bringing more income to the growing store.

While she was actively establishing the shop in one of West Michigan’s growing areas, the plan to use the entire space stayed in the back of her mind. Earlier this year, Rabitoy realized the time was right to expand.

The store has been closed all week to prep the back half of the building, which has seen family and friends step up to put the finishing touches on Rabitoy’s vision. While she’s bummed to miss her usual customers over the past few days, she’s excited to show the public what she and others have worked hard to accomplish.

The “new” Rolling Rabbit doesn’t just include more books, but an expanded layout that is easy to navigate for all ages. The Grand Valley State University graduate intentionally restructured the store so books flow from newborn-focused to teens. When you enter the front door, the baby section immediately catches your eye. As you walk through what was the “old” store, books about potty training turn into storytelling for little ones. Then, as you move into the expanded space, you’ll find sports, art, music and religion sections, with chapter books meant for both pre-teens and teenagers, completing the full adolescent life cycle for young readers.

The grand reopening of Rolling Rabbit Books is Saturday, Sept. 19, with the store open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donuts and other treats will be available, along with a raffle for a gift certificate, and four local children’s book writers will attend to sign books and maybe even host a little storytime in the new reading area.

If you can’t make it to the store, you can always shop online and browse their catalog.

In a world that has become disconnected, places like Rolling Rabbit Books are doing their part by bringing the community together through a longstanding love of books. It truly feels like a fun and unique place to be, nestled in one of the most intimate sections of the Greater Grand Rapids area.