Turning the page: Seward bookstore breaks ground on a stronger future

SEWARD, Neb. (KLKN) – A beloved bookstore was forced to relocate after extensive damage to its roof from the Aug. 9 mega storm.

After months in a temporary home, Chapters Books and Gifts is breaking ground on the rebuild.

Both the construction crew on site and the store’s owner are hopeful the refurbished store will be stronger than before.

Owner Kelly Limback bought the bookstore in January, not expecting to have to shut down only eight months later.

“There were bricks all over the ground, and part of the decorative molding was on the street,” she said. “But when I got to the store, I realized nothing had been damaged inside.”

Although thankful the damage was only to the exterior, she was still frazzled about what should happen next.

“They told me to get everything out right away. More storms are coming. We’ve got to move,” said Limback.

She said moving the entire store’s inventory required a lot of workforce and organization, yet all items were moved out by that afternoon.

This was due in large part to the community surrounding her.

First, her husband began calling people they knew, and soon after, help started to flood in.

“Emily was the first key. She showed up with an actual key to her store, so I had a place,” said Limback.

Shortly after, athletes from the nearby Concordia University came to help.

“The Volleyball team showed up, some soccer players showed up, some power lifters showed up,” she said. “All these kids started coming in. There were no lights, no air conditioning and mass chaos. There were boxes and tape, and they just started loading things, and they were happy!”

Soon after, the building’s owner worked to secure a crew to begin construction.

“But masonry work isn’t so common, so that was a big hurdle,” said Limback.

Yet, it became another challenge they were able to conquer, and construction crews broke ground today.

“It’ll be sturdier,” said Trey Barnes, owner of Elevated Masonry & Exteriors.

“We’re tearing out all the bad stuff and putting up the new,” said supervisor Todd Reepke of Legacy Masonry.

Limback is not sure of the exact date the original location will open, but is excited to see its arrival.