Main Street Books, the charming locally owned bookshop in downtown Minot, announced that a change in ownership is taking place. While possibilities of who will be the new owner are still up in the air, long-time Main Street Books employee and current store manager, Lindsey Bertsch, has been doing everything she can to be able to buy the place herself.
Since Lindsey has been working at Main Street Books since May of 2012, and was fully invested in the store, she wanted to stay on with her current level of creative license when a new owner came in. But she realized that might not happen. So, on Jun 3rd, 2025, when Val Stadick, the current owner of Main Street Books, posted on social media that the bookstore was for sale, many customers and community members reached out to show their possibilities in taking over and some asked if Lindsey herself would consider taking ownership. This intense amount of interest created the first shift in Lindsey’s thought process, and she started considering that she might actually be able to buy the store herself.
Lindsey explained that she never realized how many people associated her with the store. She decided to put on a potential investors meeting after the sale of the store was announced for people within the community to see if anyone would be willing to invest in the store- and herself as owner. When it came time for the meeting, many attendees gave her pointers and tips for how to buy the store herself. She even had a phone call with a good friend of hers, Jasmine Shultz from Prairie Sky Breads, Jasmine was happy to give Lindsey some information on opportunities to buy and operate the store that she learned from her own background and experience. Ultimately, it was the community, friends, and family which helped Lindsey decide to start the journey to become the new owner of Main Street Books.
Lindsey had many ideas for the store but needed a way to earn money fast. She created a Kickstarter event, otherwise known as a fundraising campaign, that can be found on the Main Street Books Facebook page. Anyone can donate without receiving a reward, but from anywhere between $10-$1500 donation, there are different rewards that can be purchased.
According to Lindsey, the funds gained from the Kickstarter event are going to be used for a multitude of new store items. For starters, Lindsey mentioned she wants to add a café which would sell food and snack items to patrons. The basement of the bookstore, which has a fully licensed commercial kitchen, would be a great place to start that challenge. Some of the funding would go towards adding updated and better kitchen equipment. Her goal was to have the café area up and running as soon as possible. Part of Lindsey’s inspiration for wanting the cafe was her friend Maria Cree. Maria owns a small DIY business, Red Willow Collective, that helps host music events by booking local and traveling bands. Lindsey said a café in Main Street Books would give them a space to host these kinds of events in the bookstore.
Main Street Books is possibly on the brink of an exciting new chapter with long-time manager Lindsey Bertsch stepping up as the potential new owner. What began as a search for someone who would allow her creative freedom quickly turned into a personal decision to invest in the store herself, inspired by the overwhelming support from friends, family, and the community.
Lindsey’s vision extends beyond maintaining the bookstore’s legacy, she hopes to expand its role as a “third space” by adding a café, hosting events, and continuing to foster connection in the community. With her Kickstarter campaign and sustainable business mindset, Lindsey is determined to keep Main Street Books not only thriving but also evolving into a hub for creativity, conversation, and community.
