JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A new and used bookstore named Johnson’s Literary Depot is set to open in downtown Johnson City. The upcoming store is a decadelong endeavor by the owners of Soluna Sage Wellness & Yoga Studio Andrew and Ally McElroy.

Andrew McElroy told News Channel 11 on Monday that while a concrete location hasn’t been decided on yet, his vision for the bookstore is clear.

“And so the new and used bookstore is going to kind of really be providing a space for all things local, whether it’s local comedians, local artists, local musicians, local authors to come and gather,” he said.

Andrew said the bookstore will have an ongoing “kids read for free” program, where any child can take a book at no cost.

“With this program, every children’s book that’s in this new and used bookstore will actually be free and available for any child that walks through the door. Again, that inspiration comes from the free little libraries around town, the Imagination Library that Dolly Parton does, but also my favorite principal, Mrs. McGill, and just really inspiring that love for reading and children and just making sure that they always can find something that’s interesting to them.”

He said the inspiration for the business came from a few different places, but all of them were personal mentors of his.

“It’s actually been kind of a dream of mine for a long time. I was born and raised here in Johnson City, and so back in elementary school, my favorite principal was a girl at Fairmont Elementary, really got me into the love of reading. And then I had a wonderful business teacher in high school who kind of really inspired me to kind of look at business in a different way.”

A post to Soluna Sage’s social media said the McElroys are already looking for used books to be donated in preparation for the bookstore’s launch. More details on where to drop those books off will be announced in the coming days, according to the post.

Updates on the progress of Johnson’s Literary Depot can be found on its social media page.