Book lovers of any age will enjoy wandering the many stacked shelves of the new Finnegan's Bookstore in Utica now open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 723 S. Clark St. in the Country Edge Mall.

Owned and operated by Mike Slayton and Mary Bannon of Woodridge, the bookstore features hundreds of new and used titles on a variety of subjects from classics to cookbooks.

Slayton and Bannon called their new shop "a work in progress" and hope it will soon evolve into a town gathering place for "coffee, conversation and community to enjoy."

Slayton, a semi-retired business manager, said their book business dreams were realized last summer when they bought an estimated 30,000 titles from the former Mad About Books business in Oglesby and were open there for much of the year.

"We decided to move to this higher-profile location in Utica because of the increased traffic volume and to reach out to the many state park visitors going by," he said.

Finnegan's Bookstore, named after the couple's border collie, offers publications on a vast array of topics from historic Lincoln lore to literary offerings from the most current bestseller authors. The store also features children's publications with new selections in varied categories arriving each week.

"We plan to always stock a varied collection of regional titles from local authors which explore North Central Illinois history," Slayton said.

He added the shop's inventory also includes a discerning collection of vintage books and rare publications.

Bannon, a former Naperville librarian and bookstore employee, said she and Slayton were looking for "something to get excited about and thought, 'What would be better than to take advantage of my library and bookstore experience to open our own shop?' "

She said their plans include the addition of coffee service and an outside hidden garden patio.

"Mike and I hope our little shop becomes a meeting place where local residents and area visitors can come to read, start conversations, and find new friends."

Bannon said live music and special cultural events also will be scheduled throughout the year.

Plans for the grand opening of Finnegan's Bookstore are being made for Saturday, March 13, and Sunday, March 14 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Starved Rock Murders, one of Illinois' most infamous crimes.

On Sunday, March 14, author and The Times staff writer Steve Stout will discuss his book detailing the 1960 triple homicide of three suburban women and the eight-month long investigation that ultimately led to the conviction of a former Starved Rock Lodge dishwasher.

More information for sales and promotions can be found on the shop's Web site www.finnegansbooks.com.