New local bookstore aims to be ‘loudly inclusive’ of Lincoln readers

Tory Hall believes in cultivating community.

The 34-year-old owner of Sower Books, which opened Monday, aims to create a safe space for Lincoln readers. Located at 914 70th St. in the Meadowlane Shopping Center, the store also sells artwork made by local creators, postcards and toys.

The store’s name comes from the bronze sower statue at the top of the state Capitol, Hall said, as well as Octavia Butler’s science-fiction novel “Parable of the Sower.” The book is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Earth ravaged by climate change and social inequality.

Hall, who read the book two years ago, said she drew more optimism from it than most.

“Yes, this is what’s happening. We can see how horrible it is. So what do we do next?” Hall said. “This world is burning to the ground — what do we build back and how do we make it better for everyone?”

Hall first decided that she would open a bookstore almost a year ago after registering for a limited liability company. At the time, she had been living in Seward and working at Chapters Books & Gifts.

Hall first contemplated buying Chapters from its owner, Carla Ketner, the author of “Ted Kooser: More Than a Local Wonder,” but ultimately decided against it. With Sower Books being a woman- and queer-owned store, Hall said she wanted to settle in a place she felt would be more accepting of her vision.

“I want to be loudly inclusive. And the more that I thought about it, the more I realized I just couldn’t see living my dreams in someone else’s space,” Hall said.

Shelby Biel, a fellow bookseller and friend of Hall for the past two years from western Michigan, said Hall’s “quirky and nerdy and fun” personality shines through in the choices she made about the selection of books, vendors and furniture.

Hall said all of the furniture in the store was either bought from thrift stores, fixed, donated or scavenged, except for eight portable bookshelves bought new from IKEA and four big bookshelves built from new lumber. Hall said this was so parents could relax in the space without worrying about their kids breaking things.

“It gives pretty clear signals that it’s a safe space for a variety of kinds of people in a place where the legislature has clearly indicated that … not everywhere is safe for all people,” said Kate Woolf, a Lincoln resident who heard about the opening from Facebook.

In March, Gov. Jim Pillen finalized restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender youth following the passage of LB574 during the 2023 legislative session.

The bill also established a 12-week abortion ban.

Another customer, Karina Hinkley, is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany and said there was an immediate connection between Sower Books and her identity because the store sells books in German.

Hall, who majored in German Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, also created a culture exchange event that Sower Books will host.

“I think that’s what’s so awesome and important about these local businesses like this, is they can foster these kinds of events and community building,” Hinkley said.

A self-described “very enthusiastic cat lady,” Hall said she hopes to develop her business into a place where customers can also adopt cats, which would simultaneously allow kids to practice reading with the cats and socialize the animals around people.

Hall also said that she hopes to build up other communities she is not a part of by providing a space that cultivates empathetic connections through the books people read and visibly showing her values throughout the store.

“What are we going to do to make the world better and how are we going to take care of each other?” Hall said. “And how are we going to say, ‘No, we’re not going to stand for bigotry and hatred.’”

Sower Books is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Hall said the hours are flexible depending on foot traffic.