by Sarah DeMaranville
Geneseo Current
When Beth Terpening returned to Geneseo after decades in the Chicago area, she was looking forward to reconnecting with old friends, embracing a slower pace of life, and enjoying the comforts of her hometown.
But there was something missing: a bookstore.
A lifelong reader who loves conversations about books, stories, and ideas, Terpening discovered that not only did Geneseo lack a bookstore, but so did all of Henry County.
Rather than accept that local book lovers would have to travel to the Quad Cities, she decided to do something about it.
In August 2024, Anthology for Books opened its doors in downtown Geneseo, giving readers a place to discover new titles, exchange recommendations, and connect with others who share their love of reading.
Savannah Beazer, Anthology employee, alongside owner, Beth Terpening. Photo from Facebook
What began as a partnership between Terpening and her husband soon faced an unexpected turning point. Less than a year after opening, the marriage and business partnership ended, leaving her with a difficult decision: sell the bookstore, close it, or find a way to keep it going while continuing to operate her creative consulting agency.
She chose to keep the doors open.
Today, a team of part-time booksellers help manage daily operations, allowing Terpening to balance both businesses. She credits their dedication and reliability with making that possible, although she admits that remembering to delegate doesn’t always come easily.
Marketing and branding, in particular, remain areas where she struggles to relinquish control. Still, she's working to bring more voices and personalities into the bookstore's social media presence.
"This bookstore is so much more than me!" she said.
Running an independent bookstore comes with financial challenges. Profit margins are narrow, and competing with the convenience and pricing of large online retailers is an ongoing reality.
Terpening's approach is to focus on what makes a small business special rather than what makes it difficult.
"Whatever your small business does, you've got to embrace the fun," she said.
At Anthology, that means keeping marketing upbeat, supporting neighboring businesses, speaking positively about other regional booksellers, and welcoming opportunities to collaborate.
Anthology owner Beth Terpening poses next to her new “Once Upon a Trailer” mobile bookstore.
When things become stressful, the Anthology team relies on a simple reminder: "There are no book emergencies."
That philosophy has helped shape a business where the relationships formed around books are just as important as the books themselves.
Customers regularly stop in simply to visit. They recommend titles that go on to become local bestsellers, volunteer their time during busy periods, and support the store through monthly and annual memberships.
The bookstore's book club has also become a popular gathering opportunity, attracting 30 to 40+ participants at each monthly meeting.
For Terpening, those connections are the most rewarding part of the experience.
"What more could I ask for, as a social creature who loves stories, storytellers, and connecting through conversation?" she said.
More than two years after opening, Anthology for Books continues to demonstrate that an independent bookstore can offer something beyond the books on its shelves.
It's a place where neighbors become friends, conversations turn into connections, and a shared love of reading brings people together.
"This is the dream job I never knew I had until I opened the door—and then had the guts to keep it open," Terpening said.
