WALLACE — There is nothing more satisfying to avid readers than finding a brand-new — or new-to-you — book to dive into. It's even more fun when you find it in a store that embraces a ‘why choose’ mentality, where you can also get handmade items like cozy custom clothing, book accessories and decor; a perfect fit for today’s “Book Girly” lifestyle. 

That is the experience being curated at the recently opened Weeks Co. & Lantern Lights Bookshop in downtown Wallace. 

What began as a friendship of forced proximity between Cheyenne Weeks and Katie Kitchen grew into something more like fated mates, discovering they had more in common than simply working together at a bank. 

After both left their bank jobs, they found themselves in a bit of a next chapter, searching for something new to do. Their shared interests eventually led them into business together. 

Weeks had been creating custom apparel for years but resisted turning her hobby into a full-time venture. 

“When I left the bank, I had a Cricut machine and one computer, and my husband said, ‘Why don’t you make a business of it?” Weeks said. “I had done stuff on and off for years for friends and family, but I was worried if I made a business of it that I would end up hating it.” 

Despite her hesitation, Weeks launched The Weeks Co. in a she-shed built by her husband, Chad. It was there that she and Kitchen began creating and selling acrylic bookmarks. 

Not long after, Kitchen approached Weeks with an idea — a moment that felt a little like a business plot twist. 

“Katie came to me and said, ‘What about a bookstore?” Weeks recalled. “I was like, ohhh, I like that idea.” 

An avid reader, Kitchen said owning a bookstore had always been an appealing - if distant - idea. She frequently shared her reading recommendations with others.  

In Weeks, she found a kindred spirit.  

“When we worked at the bank, I didn’t know how much of a reader Cheyenne was,” Kitchen said. “But I was always like, I’m reading this book, and I’m reading this book. And then we started exchanging books and it just kind of rolled from there.”  

Today, the pair often juggle multiple formats at once — reading a physical book, a Kindle title and listening to an audiobook simultaneously — fully committed to a pace familiar to avid romance readers.  

They started small, quickly gaining attention with their “Blind Dates with a Book.” 

The concept — popular in the Book Girly and romance-reading community — leans into the idea of mystery and surprise, a “blind date” readers hope turns into a five-star match. The concept involves wrapping books so customers do not know what they are purchasing. Each selection typically includes a brief description, a spice rating for adult romance titles, and an assortment of extras such as pens, highlighters, stickers, sticky tabs, tea or cocoa mix and a bookmark. 

Customers can also build their own Blind Date packages, whether for themselves or as personalized gifts. 

They initially marketed their products through social media and saw steady, slow-burn success, but realized expansion was necessary to grow the business. 

“Those did really well for us, and everything took off from there,” Weeks said. “We’ve been really blessed.” 

When a space at 512 ½ Bank St. became available, the pair took a leap — even though they did not yet have enough inventory to fully stock a storefront. 

“We knew we’d be dumb not to sign a lease,” Weeks said. “Were we ready for a storefront? No. But knew we could be ready by May 1.” 

They kept the Weeks Co. name to maintain their original branding and added Lantern Lights Bookstore as a tribute to their husbands, both hardrock miners — a nod to the partners behind the scenes. 

The store may have a specific vibe, but they aren't here exclusively for the book girlies. They offer both new and used books across genres. If a title is not in stock, they will order it. They also plan to highlight local authors and books focused on regional topics. 

“Being in Wallace, we both felt that we needed to get those local authors here,” Kitchen said. “This community, especially Wallace, thrives on that.” 

Affordability is also central to their business plan. Weeks and Kitchen aim to price items to fit local budgets, emphasizing that everyone deserves access to books — and the chance to find a story they love. 

In addition to books, the shop features unique apparel designs and offers custom clothing for customers seeking personalized gifts. 

Looking ahead, the duo hopes to open their space to local book clubs, crafters and artisans for reading groups and classes. 

Weeks Co. & Lantern Lights Bookstore, 512 ½ Bank St., is currently open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours may vary, particularly during Wallace’s busy tourism season. 

For more information, visit their Facebook or Instagram pages.