Diana Hart, the new owner of Brown’s Family Bookstore, has always surrounded herself with books.

When she was growing up, it was R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. Then it was Harry Potter, Cassandra Clare, and George R.R. Martin, and Kristen Hannah. She was that kid who stopped at the library every day on the way home from school and comes from a family of avid readers.

“I learned my first swear words from a Stephen King book in fifth grade,” said Hart. “I didn’t even know what they meant and I asked my grandma and she put her hand on her heart, sat on the bed and started screaming for my grandpa.

“It was Dolores Claiborne and my grandpa told me what the word meant, then told me to never say it again.”

To this day, she has never again uttered that expletive but she has read many more Stephen King novels.

Hart has taken over the Brown’s Family Bookstore from Jennifer Armstrong, who owned the cozy used book shop on Harper Avenue since Feb. 1, 2018. The store has been in St. Clair Shores for 55 years.

Armstrong will be at the shop for the next month helping Hart transition to ownership. Both women were chatting with customers at the store’s grand re-opening Saturday.

“This has always been my number one dream and it doesn’t quite feel real yet,” said Hart, who has worked as a paralegal for 10 years in Macomb County. “I always wanted to have a bookstore or a bakery, but if you ask anyone I know, they would tell you that the thing I love the most is books.”

Armstrong announced on Facebook Jan.8 she was closing the store. She hoped to find a buyer, but was not sure that would be possible. Hart immediately sent Armstrong a private message saying she was interested.

“Within two hours, I had five different groups that had contacted me about buying the store,” said Armstrong. “I just had a feeling in my gut when I met Diana and absolutely, I could not have a better person taking over the business.”

Hart and Armstrong said they recognized in each other a strong passion for books, introducing others to new authors and helping people of all ages find the perfect reading material. The two bookworms connected immediately.

“She is like a well loved book that I just have to have and right there is her spot,” said Armstrong.

Armstrong said Hart is the perfect person to take the reins of the business because she likes to expand the reading horizons of the customers. She points to one regular customer who is browsing the aisles and proudly states that she has introduced her to many new authors over the years.

“I always turn her on to authors she hasn’t read, and then I get her addicted,” said Armstrong. “That’s what you do; you get them addicted.”

Hart plans to keep things at the store much the same — a wide variety of genres for all ages and the ability for customers to special order something not on the Brown’s Family Bookstore shelves.

“We are going to do a little remodeling, a little flooring, a little painting so it will look different soon, but we are keeping everything in its place because it is comforting and it is like a home for a lot of people.”

Hart is also planning some raffles and special holiday events throughout the year.

Hart said when she opened the store at 11 a.m. on Feb. 8, there was a line outside the building. Business was brisk throughout the afternoon. She is looking forward to getting to know all of Armstrong’s regular customers as well as meeting new ones.

“I didn’t realize how much support I had from friends,” said Hart. “My bosses from the law firm showed up today and so did many of my other friends, it is just incredible.

“I still feel like I’m in a dream; it is so exciting.”

Brown’s Family Bookstore is located at 27309 Harper Ave. in St. Clair Shores.