After more than five decades serving readers in Fairway, Rainy Day Books is set to open a second store in Johnson County. The new location will open this fall in the Lenexa City Center development, giving the independent retailer a foothold further west.
From Fairway roots to Lenexa growth
Founder Vivien Jennings opened the original Rainy Day Books in the historic Fairway Shops during the 1970s. The shop celebrated its 50th anniversary last year before Jennings and longtime chief operations officer Roger Doeren retired about three years ago.
Local retail firm Made in Kansas City acquired the business and is now expanding the brand. The Lenexa store will be the second joint Rainy Day Books–Made in KC location, following a similar opening earlier this fall in Kansas City’s Power & Light district.
Independent bookstores thriving in Johnson County
Rainy Day Books isn’t the only independent retailer adding shelves in the area. South‑of‑town, 3 of Cups opened inside a historic two‑story home in downtown Olathe. Later this month, The Reading Garden – a combined book and plant shop launched by a retired Blue Valley teacher – will open another Olathe location. Mission Bookworm, a children‑focused store, is also slated to open in downtown Mission before year‑end.
These openings reflect a broader resurgence of locally owned bookstores across the county, offering families and readers more community‑focused options.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
