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Courtney Gann, The Book Burrow-Downtown Lebanon
I’ve always been weird, I’ve always loved books, and I finally built a space where that makes perfect sense.
I was born and raised here in Lebanon. All of my family is here, and all of my husband Cole’s family too. We go back generations. I was the weirdo in high school who didn’t want to leave. I remember thinking, “Why would I leave Lebanon? Why would I leave my mom? That sounds awful.”
At the time, I actually wanted to go into journalism. Columbia was my dream. But then I started dating Cole when I was 16. He stayed here for college, and I just couldn’t leave him. So I made a pivot and decided to go into hair.
I’ve worked downtown my entire adult life. I started booth renting at a salon just down the street and stayed there for nine years. My hair career really took off. I worked for color companies, taught classes, traveled, and even got featured in magazines. It was fast-paced and creatively fulfilling, and I loved it.
But eventually, I felt it was time for something of my own. We searched for a building downtown—because I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else—and when one became available, we went for it. I took the leap and opened Tribe Salon.
And then in 2025, Krystal and I finally did what we’d been dreaming about for years. We opened The Book Burrow, right in the front of the salon.
We’ve always loved books. That’s actually how Krystal and I became friends. We met in cosmetology school and didn’t get along at first. Then one day we realized we both loved Harry Potter and that was it. We’ve been inseparable ever since. She’s like my sister. I’m the big dreamer, and she’s the calm voice of reason. I say, “Let’s jump,” and she says, “Let’s talk about it first.”
The dream of owning a bookstore had always been there, but for a long time it didn’t seem realistic. Independent bookstores were fading, Amazon was taking over, and we were fully immersed in our hair careers. But when COVID hit, we both had babies and started re-evaluating things. We realized we were craving something slower, more grounded, more connected.
We’ve always been the type to visit little indie bookstores when we travel, and after a trip to Salem in the fall of 2024, I came home and said, “Let’s just do it.” I was ready. Krystal, being the practical one, suggested we keep the salon and ease into it. So we carved out space in the front and just went for it.
We expected a handful of loyal readers. We did not expect the flood of support we got. Lebanon really showed up for us. People come in and say things like, “I know I can buy books online, but I love being here.” And I get it, there’s something special about holding a book, browsing covers, talking about stories. This place feels like home to people. That’s what we wanted.
And to be honest, we still love doing hair. We’re so grateful for our clients, they’re like family. But we also know that hair is physically demanding, and as we get older, it’s not something we can do forever. Eventually, we’d love to phase out the salon and focus entirely on the bookstore.
For now, we’re doing both, and it works. We get to be part of something that feels joyful and creative and ours. People come in, talk to us about books, sip on Jude’s coffee, hang out like it’s their living room. It’s not just a shop – it’s a little escape.
Downtown is full of people like us – the dreamers, the ones who do things a little differently. We don’t always follow the rules, and that’s kind of the magic. We’re the weirdos, and this is where we belong.
Courtney Gann, The Book Burrow-Downtown Lebanon
