Overland Park welcomed a new niche retailer on Saturday when Courtney Moffitt and Katie Jones opened The Inked Page in the city’s downtown district. The independent bookstore fills a gap in the Kansas City market by focusing on mystery, thriller and horror titles, genres that were not represented by any nearby specialty shop.
Local entrepreneurs fill a niche
Moffitt and Jones, both native to Wichita, first discussed taking over a vacant bookstore space after a friend forwarded an announcement about the location. What began as a light‑hearted suggestion quickly turned into a “snowball” of an idea, leading the duo to launch a store that offers a darker literary selection than the area’s existing romance‑focused shops.
“Bookstores and small businesses in general are a hard market,” Moffitt said, noting that market research shows niche bookstores can thrive when they serve a specific audience. “Romance has been what has led that over the last couple of years, so we wanted to provide something different.”
Atmosphere designed for the curious reader
The interior reflects the owners’ vision of “your favorite weird aunt’s attic.” Walls painted in deep reds, blacks and dark greens create a moody, yet inviting ambiance. Antiques sourced from local shops, a green couch from the owners’ former bridal‑styling workplace, and a vintage lamp that belonged to Moffitt’s grandmother add personal touches that make the space feel like a cozy, haunted‑mansion retreat.
Local artist contributions include a heron logo and wallpaper featuring the bird, a tribute to Jones’s late father. The heron, affectionately called “Artie,” serves as the shop’s unofficial mascot, linking the new venture to family memory.
Community response and upcoming events
Since opening its doors, The Inked Page has received enthusiastic support from Overland Park residents. The owners plan a grand opening event for early October, timed to coincide with the start of the spooky season, and intend to host book clubs and other literary gatherings throughout the year.
“Our personal philosophy is to be a river to our people—providing support and generosity,” Moffitt explained. “It has been humbling and exciting to see the community offer to be our river as well.”
First‑time business owners
This venture marks the first independent business for both Moffitt and Jones. Their partnership began while working together in bridal styling, and they have drawn on that experience to curate a space that feels both familiar and fresh. Items such as a mirror from their former bridal shop and a family heirloom lamp underscore the owners’ commitment to bringing pieces of home into the new store.
With its focus on genre literature and a distinctive atmosphere, The Inked Page adds a new cultural asset to downtown Overland Park, offering readers a dedicated place to explore suspenseful stories while supporting local entrepreneurship.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
