A New Story Begins at Ink Cap Books

On Sept. 28, 2024, an independently-owned bookstore known as Ink Cap Books opened its doors at 220 W Main Street in Stoughton, beginning its mission to provide the town a welcoming environment to purchase books among other small items.

Ink Cap Books is owned by a Michigan-born entrepreneur, Sydne Conant, who loves small handmade goods alongside cute and comforting items. However, her true passion is evident in the books she sells and reads in her free time, as well as her mission to give the people of Stoughton a new place to purchase the books they want.

“I’m very familiar with bookstores, and that gave me a familiar foundation,” Conant said. I also just [wanted] to own [my own] business and have the freedom to do more of what [I] want. Stoughton didn’t have a bookstore, and I know [it’s] a literate community…everyone I talked to about it, when I said I wanted to open a bookstore, was really excited about it.”

The book store features a vast selection of novels from nearly every genre, from romance and fantasy to LGBTQ-related and nonfiction books, and even books for younger audiences. Additionally, among the scape of the store are several places to sit down, with Conant also providing a table for tea that customers can drink from during their shopping. Although the store opened in late September, Conant states it took two months of preparation to set up the space. while also handling managerial duties.

“From the time that I got the keys to the place … it took almost two months before I opened up. [I got] a business loan, [and] I had to order all of the shelving, all of the furniture, and set up accounts for ordering new books and a business site,” Conant said. “I spent all of those months up until September planning, so it was a big relief [opening the store], and [gave me] a sense of accomplishment.”
Besides the books, Ink Cap Books offers an assortment of stickers, plushies, and bags, as well as the very paintings on the walls of the store.

However, the bulk of the books that Conant offers, carrying around 4,000 different titles in total, came from a variety of different sources over time, including Conant’s own collection back at home.
“I have taken some donations, [though] a majority are ones I have picked up and collected over the last several months … you can find them at thrift stores, from individuals, and then the new books come from the publishers, and some smaller distributors,” Conant said.

Though the books she tends to are important, Conant has taken great care of the environment of the place as well. Even with the smaller space provided to her, she’s already placed many decorations throughout the store to liven the atmosphere.

“I want [customers] to feel comfortable, and cozy,” Conant says. “I have wanted to make sure that I had chairs and benches that were accessible for people of all sizes, and try to be welcoming and nature-feeling.”
Despite the way Conant has designed her store, she still encountered conflicts with her vision due to deals with the person she rents from.

While the store doesn’t meet the ideas she had of a forested hobbit-hole-esque establishment, due to rental limitations, she has plans to only go forward with the renovations and improvements to the store in the future.

“I have ideas for different gift bags and boxes […] and so I want to incorporate some of those things. I’ve unexpectedly also had more interest in the Norwegian books, and Wisconsin books, so I’ve been thinking about doing some focusing on local authors, and [those] Wisconsin authors, and gearing up for Syttende Mai, with more Nordic things in stock,” Conant says.

Aside from a new desk as well, Conant aims to expand the business reach by diversifying the palette she has with things such as tarot card readings and by fostering a community care group. Conant also seeks to provide a trendy appeal to her customer base as well, with fun stickers,

Since opening, Ink Cap Books has had overwhelmingly positive reviews, with customers being happy with the selection of books, as well as the more niche items.

Conant has wanted customers to take home the idea of the importance of books and their ability to be a source of comfort. “I really think books are an important lifeline for a lot of different reasons, and that you can find a book to help you do almost anything. I really want people to feel like they can come in here and ask for what they’re looking for; I don’t think you should be judged for reading what you want,” Conant says.

With Conant behind the business, Ink Cap Books finds itself open every week Thursday through Sunday, and welcomes its doors to the inclusive, comforting environment she intends to provide, alongside its multitude of books and other unique items.