With her broad range of life experiences, Lynne Benedict could probably write a few good books of her own. For now, she chooses to sell books at her Federal Heights shop, StoryVille Books, with a mission of "bringing joy and beauty into the lives of everyone who enters, by providing previously enjoyed reading material and lovely, original art at prices to fit any budget and grace any home."

Benedict began life in Montana, and her family moved to Westminster when she was 10 - the same year her father died. During the Vietnam War, 19-year-old Benedict entered the U.S. Army, went to Germany, got pregnant, and came home. With about a year's worth of college under her belt, courtesy of the GI bill, she has held "a multitude of various jobs." She worked in a public library, sales, manufacturing, retail, door-to-door sales for a home improvement company, and was a flagger for a road crew.

Tired of "Mickey-Mouse" policies in the workplace and equipped with a lot of customer service experience including working for RadioShack for about eight years, she was confident in her ability to run a retail store of her own. A self-proclaimed, lifelong book-aholic, Benedict settled on the idea of buying and opening a USED BOOK STORE. ("Visualize the words in brilliant white light with hosannas sounding all around," she wrote of the discovery.)

When the book store she was considering to purchase was snapped up by quicker buyers, she discussed the situation with her family and they "decided to create their own store from scratch. Mom re-fi-ed a rental property she had and we went from there," Benedict explained.

StoryVille Books opened at 8868 Federal Blvd. in Federal Heights last year - not far from her home, across from her childhood home in Westminster where her mother still lives.

"One of the advantages of starting your own business is that YOU can decide how far you are willing to drive," Benedict noted.

Though she originally considered a location across from Westminster Mall, Westminster's application process for used book stores was cumbersome and time-consuming.

"So, I kept looking and found this best of all possible locations, fronting Federal Boulevard. Rent is the lowest I've seen anywhere, Federal Heights is thrilled to have a book store, and everyone has been so friendly and helpful," she explained.

Located on the first floor at the south end of the two-story retail building on the east side of Federal, StoryVille sells used books at half of the cover price, rare and collectable books at reasonable prices, original works of art by local artists, comic books, gifts, and jewelry. With 3,150 square feet and over 11,000 books, the store is growing everyday due to its generous trade credit on books brought in by customers. Benedict also offers a service where she will search for out-of-print books online and purchase them for customers.

Benedict's business is a true asset to the Federal Heights community and our neighbors. Besides offering great products, she provides space for family-friendly, local groups to meet. She has graciously agreed to allow Federal Heights Ward One Councilmembers Dale Sparks and myself (Tanya Ishikawa) to meet on the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in her store.

Other meetings include a self-improvement and achievement book club on Mondays at 7-8:30 p.m., a "history of law and civilization and where are we going now?" class on Wednesdays at 6:30 -8 p.m., and an Intenders Circle supporting the practice of the Law of Attraction on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, April 26, one of the store's featured artists, a photographer, is offering a free class on Digital Camera Tips & Tricks at 1-2:30 p.m.

So, now that you know more about Lynne Benedict and StoryVille Books, go and make a visit! (Call for store hours at 303-412-5469. She's closed Mondays.)

And, of course, PLEASE come out to my first Ward One meeting on April 17!

Reminder: This blog's content is determined by Tanya Ishikawa, and any views expressed are her own, not officially approved by the city of Federal Heights or the City Council.