Gwen (Thede) Doland is the owner of Tama-Toledo’s newest gift, book and coffee shop called Gwendy’s Next Chapter. Doland opened the store on Nov. 20 on High Street in Toledo after moving back to the community last year. – Photo by Darvin Graham

Opening a home decor shop has been a dream for Gwen Doland over a number of years.

Doland grew up in the Tama-Toledo community but lived much of her adult life in the Des Moines area where she raised a family and forged a career in counseling.

She remained connected to Tama County as she would travel back to visit her father Mike Thede for holidays and special occasions.

Last year much in Doland’s life changed. She and her husband Mark were married in January and her father passed away a few months later at the age of 67.

The Dolands relocated to Toledo later in the year and have been fixing up her family’s acreage to accommodate their family of eight.

Anna Babberl, daughter of shop owner Gwen Doland, works the front counter during the Grand Opening of Gwendy’s Next Chapter on Nov. 20. The opening was held in coordination with the local holiday celebration that brought kids and families all over town through the day and ended on the courthouse square for the Lighted Holiday Parade. Doland said opening day was very busy but that it was a perfect way to kick things off in their new location. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

While Doland was living and working in Des Moines she felt opening her own store was less realistic given the real estate prices and the demands she was facing in her career as a counselor.

When she arrived in Toledo however, she found an opportunity to create the vision she’s dreamt of while plugging in a new retail store into the downtown Toledo square.

Earlier this fall Doland purchased a 1,000 square-foot brick storefront property on High Street across from the Tama County Courthouse.

The building was formerly owned by Deb Wacha and most recently had been the home of Janice’s Bohemian Delights and The Magnolia eatery before that.

Since Nov. 20, the store is now known as Gwendy’s Next Chapter, a play on Doland’s first name and a nod toward some of the products the shop sells.

Owner Gwen Doland stands behind the coffee bar at Gwendy’s Next Chapter in downtown Toledo. The shop offers a handpicked selection of gifts and decor along with coffee roasted by Ross Street Roasting in Tama and treats made by Jenny Ferriss of Toledo. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

In researching what people in the community might want from a local home decor and gift shop, Doland found some needs were a place to purchase books, gifts for kids and teachers and a spot to sit for a cup of coffee.

Another goal of the store is to carry products from local and regional vendors.

The coffee bar serves Ross Street Roasting coffee roasted in Tama. The front counter offers a variety of baked goods made by Toledo’s Jenny Ferriss and her business A Spoonful of Sugar.

In the shop, products from Iowa include soaps from Soaring Creations in Grinnell, jewelry from Tilly Trinkets in Tama County and crochet items made by Brenda Jackson.

Other products in the inventory will include gifts, antiques, furniture, books, baby gifts, and home decor, though Doland said she’ll be open to hearing and responding to feedback from customers.

Gwendy’s Next Chapter held its grand opening during the Tama-Toledo Holiday Celebration which brought a steady stream of shoppers through the downtown as kids were getting shuttled across town for the Donuts with Santa, Holiday Crafts at the Library, Free Movie and evening parade events. Much of Doland’s family was on hand to help out throughout the day including her daughter Anna who greeted customers and ran the front register.

Doland said the day was overwhelming but that the reception they received was encouraging and heartwarming.

Through the process of preparing for and opening the store, Doland said her greatest enjoyment has come from the connections she’s made.

“You know, working really closely with Mark and Anna has been really fun and just reconnecting with community members,” Doland said. “Whether it’s been friends or classmates or even their parents, having the opportunity to visit and reconnect again has been really special.”

In the future she hopes the store can become a venue for small gatherings like book clubs or for rentals like a princess tea party.

Currently Doland and her husband are also working to renovate the basement of their downtown building to become a one bedroom rental apartment.

Gwendy’s Next Chapter is located at 103 W High St. in Toledo. Hours of operation are Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information the store can be reached at 641-458-0788 or on Facebook.