Lakeville's Niche Books Just Won a Statewide Retail Award. Here's the Story Behind It

TLDR

• Niche Books in downtown Lakeville was named Emerging Retailer of the Year by Minnesota Retailers.
• It's part of the 2026-2027 Minnesota's Retail Champions program, which honored 10 businesses statewide.
• Owner Ashley Christopherson left a corporate job to open the shop in 2024.
• The team picked up the award at Retail Rally in Golden Valley on Oct. 14.

If you've wandered down Holyoke Avenue lately, you've probably walked past Niche Books. Now the whole state knows about it too. Minnesota Retailers just named the downtown Lakeville bookstore its Emerging Retailer of the Year, and it's a pretty big deal for a shop that's only been open since 2024.

From Corporate Job to Bookstore Owner

Ashley Christopherson didn't grow up in retail. She left a corporate career to chase something she actually loved: books and helping people read more.

So she opened Niche Books in a historic storefront at 20784 Holyoke Ave. It's a true indie shop. You'll find new and used books for every age, plus book-themed gifts.

The big draw? The picks. The store focuses on great reads in every genre, not just whatever's on the bestseller list. And if you ask for a recommendation, you'll get a real one from a real person.

More Than a Place to Buy Books

Niche Books does a lot more than sell paperbacks. The shop hosts author visits, kids' activities, and some fun one-offs. One example is a Book Lover's New Year's Eve party.

That started early. Back in 2024, the store hosted its first book signing with local author Loretta Ellsworth. Shelf Awareness covered the night, and it drew a big crowd with French cookies and wine.

There's also a book trade-in program. And if you can't make it in, you can order through their Bookshop.org page or grab audiobooks on Libro.fm. Both send money back to the store.

Why the State Took Notice

Minnesota Retailers is a nonprofit that speaks up for stores of all sizes across the state. Each year it names a group of "Retail Champions." This year there were 10, and you can see the full 2026-2027 list here.

The group said Niche Books stood out for how fast it became a hangout spot, not just a store. Its president, Bruce Nustad, called the shop "a gathering place, a community destination."

The Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce agreed. Chamber president Krista Jech praised Christopherson for trying new ideas and investing in downtown. Her point was simple: a strong downtown needs shops that give people a reason to keep coming back.

Christopherson said the award belongs to her team and her customers. She also said the love from Lakeville and nearby towns has meant more than she ever expected.

The team accepted the award on Oct. 14 at Retail Rally, held at Brookview in Golden Valley. Want to see the shop in action? Minnesota Retailers made a short video about it.

A Win for Downtown Lakeville

This one's bigger than one store. Downtown Lakeville has been picking up some fresh energy lately. Remember when Downtown Bicycles rolled in as the city's first bike shop? Same idea.

Every new local shop in an old storefront gives you one more reason to park, walk around, and grab a coffee. That's how a downtown stays alive. If you're keeping a list of new spots to try, Farmer's Cellar's Withdrawing Room belongs on it too.

The Bottom Line

A Lakeville bookstore that's barely two years old just got named the best new retailer in Minnesota. That's a win for Ashley Christopherson and her team. It's also a win for anyone who wants downtown Lakeville to stay busy and fun.

Want to show some love? Stop by on Holyoke Avenue. The posted hours are Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. They're closed Sunday and Monday. And with the holidays coming, a gift from a local bookstore beats another box on the porch. For more news from around town, check out our Lakeville page.