KENOSHA – A former Lee Enterprises page designer has turned her passion for the written word into a new career, opening a pop-up bookstore in her hometown.
The Kenosha News this week profiled Samantha Jacquest, 26, who studied journalism at UW-Whitewater and served as editor-in-chief of the Royal Purple before working at Lee. After a year at their regional design center, Jacquest moved to England, where she earned a graduate degree in publishing at Oxford Brookes University.
Jacquest opened Blue House Books after returning home and held her first pop-up in July 2017. She operates the shop out of her SUV, selling books at art shows, beach parties and coffee shops in Kenosha.
Blue House sells both new and used books, and Jacquest will often tailor the shop’s selection based on the event. She hopes to eventually turn her business into a more traditional bookstore and gathering place for Kenosha residents.
