We are that family. The type who loves to travel. Our trips always include lots of coffee shops and usually a bookstore or two along the way. We have favorites in Oklahoma City, Denver, London, Oxford, Venice, Cape Town, San Antonio, Dallas, and New York. We browse, we buy, we make mental notes, and when reflecting back on stories from trips, we most often mention the bookstores we went to. From favorite shop cats to special little corners or ladders to the high shelves, we have taken in the details for years. School book fairs, summer reading clubs, story time, author signings - they are all a part of our story. While in New York this past summer (2021) the courage bubbled up and the words were spoken “that’s it, let’s do it. We are going to open a bookstore.” It’s my We Bought a Zoo moment. You remember the one when Benjamin Mee says: “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery.” And so here we are. Our friends and family have been the best cheering section you could hope for. Every time we have followed a statement with, “this is crazy right?” they have leaned in closer.

I mean why wouldn’t one open an independent bookstore during a global pandemic when life is precarious? As much as this statement has elicited nervous giggles, it has pushed us to answer the question. Honestly, it’s the perfect time. We need hope. We need to be writing good life stories. We need the power of story. And we need each other like never before.

So Abilene, Story Book Capital of America (it’s a real thing, google it, friends) we believe our community and our downtown needs an independent hometown bookseller. We care about representation and inclusion and we believe a bookstore needs to feel comfortable for veteran book nerds and newly emerging readers. You have choices when it comes to book buying and we want you to choose us. Let us welcome you in and serve you and share our well curated inventory of books and good things.

Meet the Founders

  • Arlene Kasselman

    Hi, I’m Arlene! I married my high school sweetheart, David (one of the owners of Grain Theory up the street), in 1986 and we have two adult children, Ky married to Jesse, and Spencer married to Claire. TBH I claim at least 100 others as my “own.” I’m passionate about relationships and connection and all the layers that make up being present with people. I hold a BA in Bible and Ministry and an MA in Organizational Development. My work background is in Higher Education with a focus on student advocacy, mental health, and finding ways to help students thrive. I am a native of South Africa, so I am not kidding when I say I am dead serious about a good cup of tea. I’m a big fan of shenanigans and biscuits to dunk in my tea. I love good/any food, travel, coffee shops, cat tik toks, and digging in deep with conversation. When thinking about design icons for the bookstore, a comfy chair, a tea cup, a candle, and a book sum up everything I hope for Seven and One.

    In a nutshell: Strengths finder: Woo/Strategic/Positivity/Connectedness/Adaptability. ENFP. 7w8

  • Spencer Kasselman

    Hey y'all, I'm Spencer! I have a B.A. in Bible, Missions, and Ministry from Abilene Christian University, and am currently pursuing a BFA in Acting. I’m passionate about connection, learning, and hospitality. Seven and One is the culmination of these passions, and we hope when you walk in and interact with our team you feel this culmination in the way we have designed our space, curated our selections, and trained our team. Books have acted as lenses that have continually changed my view of the world around me throughout the years. My hope for my role as well as Seven and One as a whole is to offer the space and resources for others to have this experience as well. For some quick fun facts: my favorite book is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, I’m a 1 on the Enneagram, I have a goal of going to all 7 Continents before I’m 30 (only 3 left!), I’m always down to go to a brewery, and you can always catch me watching The Premier League (Up The Toffees) and Formula 1.

We look forward to you also getting to know our amazing staff of booksellers!

Megan, Jenna, Arlene, Anna, Spencer