Talking Animals Books provides a space to ...

Katy Lemieux and Valerie Walizadeh opened their independent bookstore, Talking Animals Books , two years ago with a dream and a crowdfunding campaign.

The store has found success as the first independent bookstore in Grapevine. Lemieux and Walizadeh said their store sells books and provides a third space, or a place separate from home and work, where people can freely gather and socialize.

What’s special about it?

The Talking Animals Books is located at Grapevine’s historic downtown in a building that used to be a bank. A teller’s station is now used as a reading nook for children who visit the store. The walls along the staircase leading to the second floor of the store describe an incident where Bonnie and Clyde ’s gang once robbed the bank.

Walizadeh said their bookstore appeals