After Fox News anchor Dana Perino released her Cedarburg-inspired book “Purple State” earlier this year, she said the city was charming in nearly every way — though she had to invent a bookshop for her novel, since Cedarburg didn’t have one.
Well, it does now.
Reading Nest is set to open Thursday, Aug. 13, on Washington Avenue in downtown Cedarburg. It started as a pop-up bookstore in December, inside of Valley Skin Studio & Boutique.
“I wanted to create a cozy place where we can share books and be a fun part of the community,” said owner Kristin Burkart. She also echoed Perino’s sentiment that Cedarburg needed a bookstore.
She said a cozy bookstore fits in with the Cedarburg’s historic vibe and its vibrant downtown.
“My goal is for it to be a space people just want to go to,” Burkhart said.
Where will Reading Nest be located in Cedarburg?
Reading Nest will be located at W63 N672 Washington Ave. It will occupy the entire upstairs of the building between Blind Horse and Camp Bar.
What kind of books will be at the Reading Nest?
Burkhart said Reading Nest will carry mostly new books of many different genres including children’s books, nonfiction, lots of bird books, “bookish gifts” and a used book section.
How big will the bookstore be?
Reading Nest will be about 600 square feet with four separate rooms.
What are some fun facts about the owner?
Burkhart owns Red Arrow Real Estate in Cedarburg and was on the Cedarburg’s common council for eight years. She is active in the American Legion and has been the commander for three years.
She is also an Iraq War veteran.
Independent bookstores are making a comeback
Independent bookstores, in the greater Milwaukee area and Wisconsin making an exponential comeback, especially after the pandemic.
According to the American Booksellers Association, the number of independent bookstores nationally increased by 70%, with more than 400 new bookstores opening.
Two romance bookstores, Thirst Books, 5209 W. North Ave., Milwaukee, and The Well Red Damsel, 6429 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, opened brick-and-mortar locations in 2025, within a mile of each other. Niche Book Bar, 1937 N. King Drive in Milwaukee, also opened in 2025. A year earlier, Wonderland Bookshop in Shorewood opened its doors. Epilogue Books opened in Menomonee Falls in 2024.
“I think people enjoy supporting small businesses. But I think there’s a growing movement to stop giving your money to billionaires when you can support your neighbors instead,” Burkhart said.
“I also think smaller bookstores carefully choose their inventory, or focus on a specific genre, so then it’s not an overwhelming experience in small shops. Small shops make it easy to casually browse and walk away with something that randomly caught your eye.”
What are Reading Nest’s hours?
Reading Nest’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. It will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Burkhart said there may be changes to its schedule or random closings. If that is the case, it will be updated on social media.
Where can I find more information?
For more information on the bookstore, find The Reading Nest Cedarburg on Facebook.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A new bookstore is opening in downtown Cedarburg
Reporting by Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
