Independent Bookstore Opened in Historic Olathe Home
Owners repurposed a 126-year-old residence, diversifying revenue through book club rentals and future hospitality offerings.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The 3 of Cups bookstore has opened at 101 W Cedar St. in Olathe, occupying a 126-year-old Victorian home previously used by the Junk Drawer. The owners accelerated their acquisition and renovation timeline, converting residential space into retail and community areas.
Why it matters
By repurposing historic residential structures for commercial use, owners can secure unique real estate footprints that differentiate their customer experience. This strategy leverages creative space conversion to build community-focused revenue streams like book clubs and future hospitality services.
The business operates across the main floor and four converted bedrooms, with a new $50 book club rental program available for patrons. Owners completed extensive renovations to the 126-year-old building, including foundational work, to accommodate the shop's multi-room layout.
The players
Ashley Mantooth
Co-owner of 3 of Cups who managed the adaptive reuse of the historic Olathe property.
Jasmine Titus
Co-owner of 3 of Cups with a focus on diversifying retail offerings within the historic space.
Starla Titus
Co-owner of 3 of Cups who helped lead the renovation and commercial conversion of the Victorian home.
The details
The owners converted four second-floor bedrooms into book club and play spaces to maximize the utility of the historic Victorian floor plan. Renovation efforts focused on the structural integrity of the property, including a new roof, gutters, and foundation work. The operation currently sells books, games, and tarot-related items, with plans to add a commercial kitchen and speakeasy-style bar in future development phases.
Timeline
The historic home was listed for sale earlier this year.
3 of Cups opened for business last week.
Book clubs meet at the store on Thursday nights.
The coffee shop is scheduled to open this fall.
Market Landscape
The project follows a growing trend of adaptive reuse where small-business operators transform aging residential footprints into experience-driven commercial spaces. This transition marks a departure from standard retail leasing by integrating historic preservation with diversified hospitality services.
Operators considering similar building conversions should prioritize structural due diligence, as roof and foundation repairs are often necessary for legacy properties. Review current zoning and commercial kitchen permit requirements before committing to multi-phase hospitality expansions.
The takeaway
Turning historic residential spaces into retail centers requires balancing structural maintenance with flexible community-based programming. Owners should monitor the upcoming transition to commercial food and beverage operations to understand the operational complexity of mixed-use conversion.
What happens next
The coffee shop is expected to launch on the main floor this fall.
Further reading
For more examples of local retail expansion, see the latest updates in Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Kansas City Star.
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