When you walk into Bluestocking Bookshop, owner Aimee Chipman wants you to feel just one thing: welcome. Not just in the “we’re glad you’re here” way, but in the “come in, take a breath, this is your space, too” way.

And as the shop approaches its six-year anniversary, it’s opening a brand-new chapter (pun intended) with a new location at the Holland Town Center. The Grand Reopening weekend will take place Labor Day Weekend with different events each day. We’re so excited for it! 

So what’s Aimee most excited about? “Parking!” Aimee laughs. “I joke about it, but it’s a real thing for retail. Now we’ll not only have more parking, but more space for community gatherings, book clubs, and even author events.” That includes a brand-new 85-inch TV for virtual author chats and presentations. Can you picture it?

Why “Bluestocking?”

The bookshop’s name is a nod to Aimee’s deep love of historical romance novels and a bit of women’s history. In the 18th century, “bluestocking” was a derisive term for women who pursued education and intellectual conversation. Today, the dictionary defines it as a “literary and intelligent woman,” and Aimee wears that as a badge of honor.

“Fun fact: the first time I ever read the word ‘bluestocking’ was in Matilda,” she says. “I didn’t notice it as a kid, but years later, during our banned book club, it jumped out at me.”

If there had been a high school superlative for “Most Likely to Own a Bookshop,” Aimee admits would have made the list, but actually owning her own shop still came as a surprise to her.

As a theater kid from Zeeland, she once dreamed of being an actress. But life had other plans, and after working for another local bookstore and essentially running it, she decided to take the leap and open her own—a place where she could do things her way.

“Holland has a bungee cord stuck to the back of me,” she says. “Every time I try to leave, it pulls me back.” Can anyone else relate? 🙋🏽‍♀️

Reading For Everyone

Despite what many might imagine, running a bookstore isn’t all quiet reading days. “It’s not as zen as you think,” Aimee says. “There’s a lot of scanning books, and scanning books, and scanning more books.”

Still, she’s carved out a space that’s about so much more than scanning and selling books. Bluestocking hosts multiple book clubs, including one focused on banned and challenged books, and is home to The Educator Fund. This program helps local teachers stock their classrooms with books, and this is the most important part,  without having to pay out of pocket.

The idea grew from what Aimee calls “the jar of nickels” — donating five cents from every $10 in sales. It’s since expanded into gift cards for books, classroom supplies, or even coffee for her teacher shoppers. “It’s clear people here want to take care of teachers,” she says. “I’ll put out the bat signal, and within days, the fund jumps from $20 to $1,000.”

Aimee’s Reading Life

Aimee’s love of books is anything but casual. She challenges herself to average a book a day. This includes picture books, unfinished reads, and everything in between. She’s a loyal physical book reader, tracks her reading on the women- and Black-owned platform Storygraph, and swears by Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone as a recommendation for literally anyone.

Her dream reading moment? “It’s morning, I haven’t really gotten out of bed yet — maybe I grabbed coffee — but there’s nowhere to be. Just an unhurried, lazy-day read.” 

Looking Ahead

The grand reopening on Labor Day weekend (2025) will be more than just a celebration of a new space — it’s a celebration of what Bluestocking Bookshop has become: a welcoming, vibrant, community-centered space where the magic of books meets the warmth of connection.

You can find event details at bluestockingbookshop.com or stop by, say hi, and— if Aimee’s superpower kicks in, she might just remember your name the next time you walk through the door.