CoriAnn Theroux grew up dreaming of one day opening her own independent bookshop. Fueled by a lifelong love of reading, she envisioned a space where she could share her passion with others and build a community around the magic of books.
After graduating, the timing wasn’t right for CoriAnn to open her own bookshop, so she explored other paths. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her childhood dream was reignited as people rediscovered their love for physical books. In 2022, when a small building opened in downtown Fort Dodge, she saw her chance. At just under 300 square feet, it was the perfect space for the cozy, magical bookshop she had always imagined. On June 1st, 2022, The Green Dragon Bookshop opened its doors.
The Green Dragon Bookshop is designed to create a magical atmosphere that transports customers into a fantasy world. While the shop specializes in fantasy, horror, and science fiction, it also offers mystery and the occasional romance, ensuring there’s something for every reader. Through personalized recommendations and customer feedback, CoriAnn strives to help each customer find a story where they feel seen and represented.
When curating the shop’s selection of over 2,000 books, CoriAnn focuses on carrying all types of authors to uplift voices and invite every reader to feel seen..
As CoriAnn prepared to open The Green Dragon Bookshop, she faced several challenges from learning how to run a business to understanding what her customers were looking for. To get assistance, she contacted the North Central Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Fort Dodge. Through business counseling, CoriAnn refined her business plan, conducted market research, and worked through financial projections. In addition to working with the SBDC, she reached out to national organizations to receive additional resources and guidance.
CoriAnn has been welcomed into the indie bookshop community by owners across Iowa and beyond, eager to offer their support and guidance. To further connect with other independent bookstores, CoriAnn launched the Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour in 2024. The tour encourages readers to visit participating bookstores across the state, collecting stamps in their event passport for a chance to win an exciting prize.
The Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour is about more than just visiting independent bookstores – it’s an opportunity to explore new communities and support various small businesses along the way. As readers travel across the state, they not only discover unique bookshops but also contribute to the local economies by shopping at other small businesses. This year’s tour featuring 45 indie bookshops kicks off on July 1st and runs through September 30th.
Within the Fort Dodge community, The Green Dragon Bookshop promotes a love of reading for all. By supporting teachers and librarians through donations, CoriAnn hopes to enhance literacy and encourage a lifelong love of reading in children.
CoriAnn’s advice to aspiring business owners is simple but powerful: follow your dreams. You never know if you’ll get another chance to pursue your passion, so take a leap when theopportunity comes. She encourages others to seek out resources like the Iowa SBDC and national organizations to help build a strong foundation. Most importantly, she reminds aspiring business owners that even if something doesn’t happen right away, that doesn’t mean it never will.
Learn more about The Green Dragon Bookshop: Website I Instagram I Facebook
Learn more about the Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour: Website I Instagram I Facebook