About Us

Family portrait of three people standing together against white background: a teenage boy, a woman, and a man, all smiling and dressed casually.

Brian and I’Ching Thomas
Founders of Lakeside Books

Close-up of a vertical bookshelf filled with various stacked books in a library or bookstore.

The Pages of Our Story

After living in Singapore for 17 years, we have recently made our home in Waconia, Minnesota—a beautiful lake town just 35 minutes west of Minneapolis. When we settled here, we weren’t just looking for a place to live—we were searching for a way to contribute meaningfully to the community. And before long, an unexpected opportunity began to take shape.

We noticed something surprising: within a 10-mile radius spanning several growing towns, a college campus, and vibrant local communities—there wasn’t a single bookstore. That sparked something in us.

As a former college educator with past experience running bookstores and working with international book distribution efforts, we’ve seen how a thoughtfully curated, community-oriented bookstore can bring people together—offering more than just books, but a space for conversation, connection, and belonging.

So we got to work.

With support from experienced partners in book sourcing and distribution, we’ve begun the journey to launch a nonprofit bookstore in the heart of Waconia. Our mission is simple but powerful: to create a welcoming, inclusive space where people of all backgrounds can discover great books, share ideas, and feel part of something bigger.

Person reading a book with glasses on their hand surrounded by cups, a notebook, and a pen on a dark wooden table.

Our Mission

We’re building a nonprofit bookstore with a heart for community. Here’s what drives us:

Connection through Story: Books open doors to new worlds, fresh perspectives, and meaningful conversations. We want our bookstore to be a place where stories bring lives together.

A Welcoming Third Space: In a time when people are craving connection, bookstores are making a comeback as inviting, in-between places—between work and home—where people can gather, slow down, and just be.

Affordable Access to Books: We want to offer high-quality titles at affordable prices—making reading more accessible to everyone.

Serving a Growing Community: Waconia and the surrounding areas are growing fast—with new families, diverse cultures, and vibrant local life. This region is ready for a place where curious minds of all ages can come together.

A Place for Purpose: We believe a bookstore can be more than shelves and pages—it can be a hub for creativity, learning, and outreach. Whether you’re here for a book club, a community event, or just a quiet place to read, we want you to feel at home.

This bookstore isn’t just about books. It’s about building something lasting: a space where curiosity is welcome, people feel seen, and community can grow—one story at a time.

Thank you for being part of this vision.