Richard and Wendy Popp purchased the old Carnegie library building and opened Waxwing Books there in 2005. The outside of the building still looks much as it did when it first opened as a library in 1917. The landmark building anchors the south end of the historic business district on Second Street.
Many of the original oak shelves along the walls once again hold well-read books, this time around with prices for sale.
Richard has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. He worked for 12 years in the Special Collections Department of the University of Chicago Library, and served for 4 years as state archivist for the South Dakota State Historical Society. He began selling books in 2000. He continues to work on building collections related to his interests in history, religion, military history, rare books, maps, postcards, and collectible children’s books.
Wendy is an avid reader and her interests include science fiction and fantasy, mysteries, young adult fiction, and illustrated children’s books.
