Who We Are

Our Mission

At Pages & Grapes, our mission is to cultivate a community of romantic readers who can connect and discover their next great read in a judgment-free environment. We are dedicated to providing exceptional customer experiences, fostering meaningful relationships, and supporting local businesses and products.

Our Vision

Our vision is to inspire passion and offer literary freedom for readers to explore and experience romance novels without judgment. We aim to become a beloved destination for romantic readers, where they can indulge in their favorite genre, connect with like-minded individuals, and enjoy a unique and memorable shopping experience.

Our Philosophy

At Pages and Grapes, our core values drive everything we do. We are committed to fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, ensuring transparency and upholding the highest standards of integrity and respect. Our dedication to sustainability and continuous improvement guides our efforts to serve our staff, customers, partners, and the community with excellence and ethical responsibility.

“You will fail! The goal is to keep learning, improving, and to never give up!” - Kara Laws, Launched Academy.

Heather

Hello, my name is Heather, and I am the founder and owner of Pages & Grapes. James Jones, my real-life HEA, is my best friend and business partner.

How did my business idea come to fruition you may ask. Last year (2023), I was knee deep in classes for my Bachelor degree and Entrepreneurship was one of my mandatory classes. We had to come up with a business idea to create a business plan for our term project. I told my professor that I am not an entrepreneur, and I am not creative enough to come up with a business idea in a week! She told me to dig deep and use a hobby or passion to start the foundation. I love reading and reminded myself that I dreamed of owning a bookstore years ago…right as E-books started to gain popularity (broke my heart). My dream was re-envisioned into a romance bookstore because it is the genre that I read. From there I knew that I wanted to create a romantic atmosphere and selling wines seemed like a logical pairing since it has been associated with romance since ancient Rome. As my research progressed, I realized that my dreaded course project had turned into a viable business idea, and at the end of the course, I had a good start to my official business plan.

A little bit about me: I have a wonderful and rewarding career in the non-profit sector, a cat named Mandy that isn’t as nice as her name suggests, born and raised in Michigan, tree hugger, huge supporter of small businesses, and loves to laugh and enjoy life with James by my side. A few of my favorite romance authors are Kristen Ashley, Tiffany Snow, Mariana Zapata, and Tara Sivec. As for wines, I am all about the sweet ones.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me! Please follow Pages & Grapes for updates on the progression of our store opening.

James

Hello, I'm James, co-owner of Pages & Grapes, and a proud native of West Michigan. Raised with values centered on respect and helping others, I find joy in life's simple pleasures, surrounded by nature and intrigued by the mysteries of a good suspenseful whodunit. Despite my passion for solving crimes, I hold a degree in Information Technology, embodying the duality of my interests.

By day, I've dedicated my professional life to large corporations, while weekends often find me immersed in the world of small “Mom and Pop shops”. What I love most is the personal touch—addressing customers by name, anticipating their needs, and witnessing their satisfaction as they leave. This commitment to customer happiness stems from my own experiences as a consumer.

Family and friends are the pillars of my life, and I cherish moments like cookouts and long drives to nowhere. My world revolves around my kids, grandkids, siblings, and the heart and soul of it all, Heather. My decision-making for Pages & Grapes is guided by a blend of logical thinking, emotional intelligence, and good old-fashioned common sense. It's a formula that ensures the best outcomes for our business and, more importantly, our guests.