Beyond Words Bookshop’s grand opening is set for July 5.
MESA, Ariz. — Nestled between an ice cream parlor, a barbershop, and a coffee house in downtown Mesa is a brand new brick-and-mortar bookstore, “Beyond Words Bookshop,” opening July 5.
Beyond Words began as a pop-up bookstore started by former Valley teacher Kelly Boggs in 2024. Boggs set up her shop at farmers’ markets and events throughout the East Valley before she decided she wanted to open up her own shop.
In the spring of 2025, Boggs applied for the Local Launch Grant initiative through the city of Mesa and the Nile, after another bookseller, owner of Twice Upon a Time Books, Alyssa Prewitt, told her about the opportunity.
“For another person that’s in the same business—that she could have been competing for this—she sent it to me,” Boggs said. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s so amazing.'”
While taking her kids back to the classroom, she found out she won, earning six months of rent and utilities for a physical space in the Green Belt. Boggs had decided to leave teaching and pursue bookselling full-time just a few weeks before she got the news that she won the grant.
“I got the spot in the prettiest little section in Mesa,” Boggs said. “I’m excited to be a part of it.”
After months of renovations, painting, putting in bookshelves, cleaning, and more, Beyond Words is ready to greet customers starting July 5. The shop features a large selection of kids’ books and middle-grade reads, as well as gently used books and bookish goods.
On Saturday, July 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can see the brand-new physical space in Mesa. Beyond Words will be open weekly:
- Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturdays, 9 to 5 p.m.
Beyond Words is located at 40 N Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201
To learn more about Beyond Words, head to the shop’s social media page or the shop’s website. If you want to contribute to the bookstore’s fund, click here to donate.
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