About This Project

Kindred Spirit Books is a resale and independent bookshop founded by lifelong book collector and entrepreneur Ryan Helms. The shop specializes in secondhand books, rare editions, and works by local authors, giving beloved stories a new life in the hands of new readers. What makes Kindred Spirit Books especially unique is its home: a historic downtown building that locals believe to be haunted. Customers and staff often mention flickering lights, odd creaks, and the occasional book toppling mysteriously from the shelves.

Instead of avoiding this reputation, Ryan embraces it, building the brand around the shop’s quirky, ghostly charm. The store leans into the legend of its “friendly spirits” to create a one-of-a-kind destination for book lovers. From haunted book clubs to ghost story nights, Kindred Spirit Books blends the joy of literature with the enchantment of a whimsical haunting. The mission: to create a bookstore that feels like a welcoming retreat for readers and their kindred, bookloving (ghostly) companions.