Meet Allison Henning | Owner of Wanderlust Reads Traveling Bookstore

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Henning and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Growing up in a family-owned business is what inspired me to become a business owner. I wanted something of my own, built by me, to hand down to future generations. Honestly, at that time, I wasn’t sure what the business would be. Although, I had several ideas and the wheels are still turning inside my head of the future businesses that I’ll have. My love for reading and traveling pushed me to start my bookstore and share that love with others. I wanted to pursue something that I absolutely loved and make it my full-time job. I was reluctant at first and feared that it may not go as planned. It was not easy stepping outside my comfort zone and taking that risk. I just took it one step, one checkpoint, or one goal at a time. When I took baby steps, it didn’t seem like a giant leap. By taking those baby steps I was creating my store and didn’t realize it. Also, I saw a need in the community for a local independent bookstore because there wasn’t one on my end of the city.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Wanderlust Reads is a mobile bookstore where you can find all types of books from cookbooks, self-help, to comics &graphic novels. The fact that Wanderlust Reads is a traveling bookstore, where you can have the convenience of the store coming to you, is what sets us apart from other bookstores. You can add a unique flair to your next birthday party, baby shower, or reunion by having a bookstore set up at your event. Setting up at parties is exciting, especially when I see children wanting to stay, read, or get excited over the books. I’m thrilled when adults want to stay and read, to them it brings back memories of elementary school and simpler times when the book fair would come to their school. It gives them that escape from the reality of adulthood for just or a little while. I’m proud that I took the first steps of starting Wanderlust Reads and my goal is to spread literacy in the community and bring books to people’s doorsteps.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I love a good place where I can chill, read, and drink coffee, so some of my favorite spots in the city are coffee shops, lounges, and parks.

My favorite coffee shop is Alcove, small, quaint, and sits on Yellow River Lake in Lilburn. The view is absolutely amazing and the staff is so friendly. I go there when I need to think and clear my head it’s so peaceful.
I also enjoy Boulder Creek Coffee in downtown Lawrenceville. Its location is a beautiful victorian home. The wrap-around porch is the perfect place to read.

Stone Mountain Public House in Downtown Stone Mountain is a jazzy little cigar and piano lounge. It is a one-stop shop. They have great desserts, alcoholic beverages, coffee, books, games, art, and of course music.

A few feet away from Stone Mountain Public House there is a new Wine/Book Bar that opened up called the Vibrary. The Vibrary is a whole vibe. If you like a good glass of wine and a good hardback, then it’s your spot.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I could not do what I love without my loving Husband, Antonio, our amazing boys Payton and Parker, and beautiful daughter, Penelope. I love you and you’re my whole world. I have to acknowledge my Mom for teaching me to read at an early age and passed down her love of reading to me, also my Dad for always supporting my dreams. I would not have started my own business without my Grandparents’ example of love and belief that we could have anything that we could dream about. I love you and I’m forever grateful for everything you did for me. I’d like to thank my community who have embraced me and showed overwhelming support.

Website: www.wanderlustreads.org

Instagram: @wanderlustreads2021

Twitter: @ReadsWanderlust

Facebook: @WanderlustReads

Image Credits
LaBoy Photography