Bookstore brings faith-based selection to Corydon

J.C. Lyell, Staff Writer, [email protected]

Nota Bene has opened for business in downtown Corydon at 203 N. Capitol Ave. The store specializes in Catholic-Christian art, gifts and books, including devotionals, Bibles, children’s books and study programs.

The shop’s owners are Ken and Yvonne Abell and Brian and Tina Schunemann, who said the mission of the store is to assist people looking for information about any particular facet of faith.

Nota Bene has resources that cover a variety of topics, including philosophy, theology, social justice and literature. In addition to books, some of the information comes in the form of CDs, DVDs, brochures and pamphlets.

“It came out of a need of people searching for information,” Yvonne Abell said. “We’re here to assist whoever has a need.”

The store also sells sacramentals and other faith-based gifts and toys for children.

The name means “note well” in Latin. In the days before highlighters, the abbreviation “N.B.” was used in writings to tell the reader to pay close attention to what would follow.

The business started about 12 years ago in the Abells’ home, where they would help people find resources to help them in their faith journeys.

Now with a store location, Nota Bene will have many of the resources their customers are looking for in stock, and, if it’s not on the shelves, Yvonne said they’ll find a way to get it to them.

“We will do personal orders,” she said. “If someone wants something, we will help them get it.”

The Abells and Schunemanns are members of local churches and said they hope to attract shoppers to downtown Corydon and share their faith-centered values.

“We want growth, and we want to provide this service to our community,” Yvonne said. “We want people to love the community and want to be here.”

The store has been open for about three weeks now, and its owners said they aim to operate more like a ministry than a business by providing a personal touch and listening to what’s on the hearts and minds of all who stop in.

“Our goal here is to provide actual facts and information that will guide a person’s faith journey,” Yvonne said. “We want to help because we were helped once.”

Nota Bene will host an open house for its grand opening next week, from Tuesday to Saturday, with special deals, free recommended reading lists and refreshments.

The store is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Fridays from noon to 7 and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It will also sometimes open to coincide with events happening on the Corydon town square; check the store’s Facebook page (Nota Bene Book Company) for more information, including hours for special events.

For more information, contact the store by phone at 812-705-0107 or by email at [email protected]