Rainy Day Books is set to open a second location this fall inside Made in KC’s flagship store in Kansas City’s Power & Light District. This expansion follows the store’s success at its original Fairway location, which has drawn significant crowds, especially during events like a recent children’s celebration featuring a live pony.
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The event highlighted the launch of "Princess Pony Says Nay," a children’s book by local author Jordan Morris, and attracted numerous families, showcasing the bookstore's ability to engage the community.
Tyler Enders, co-founder of Made in KC, noted that the decision to open another Rainy Day Books was driven by the lack of a bookstore in downtown Kansas City. Founded by Vivien Jennings in November 1975, Rainy Day Books has hosted numerous notable authors over the years, such as Margaret Atwood and Stephen King. Enders emphasized that author events will continue to be a focal point at the new downtown location.
Despite past predictions about the decline of brick-and-mortar bookstores due to online shopping, recent trends show a resurgence in the industry. The American Booksellers Association reported the opening of over 600 new independent bookstore locations last year, with expectations for continued growth.
The new Rainy Day Books will occupy about one-third of the space in Made in KC's flagship store and will feature approximately 10,000 titles, focusing more on adult literature due to its urban setting. The initial operating hours are planned from 7 am to 7 pm, with potential extensions on weekends.
Furthermore, improvements are in store for the Fairway location, with renovations set to include updated shelving and flooring, reinforcing Rainy Day’s commitment to both its original and new venues.