Book and music store opens in Urbandale
One man’s vision is coming to fruition in Urbandale in the form of a state-of-the-art book and music store, gift shop, coffee shop, conference and meeting facility.
Jerry Chiaramonte said he has dreamed of creating a place where people could connect. That’s why he chose the name Connxions for his project in the new Tuscany Village retail center at 121st Street and Douglas Avenue. He has targeted Saturday as the opening day.
“I’ve wanted to connect people to resources to learn what they need to know to be a better parent, have a better marriage, do better at whatever – that’s going to be a prime function of Connxions,” Chiaramonte said.
The 15,700-square-foot facility – that’s about the size of 40 double garages – will serve multiple functions. One-third of the area is retail space on the north end of the bay, a coffee shop is in the center and meeting rooms and conference areas are on the south end.
The business has a Christian influence, but Chiaramonte said Connxions is not solely aimed at Christians.
“We want to appeal to a broad sector. We don’t want people not to come because it’s a religious book store. It’s going to be a lot more,” he said.
Books, music and gifts will be secular as well as religious, said executive director and store manager Twila Shreves, 41.
“We are going to carry books on The New York Times book list, children’s classic literature and other secular books, as well as religious books,” she said.
