When Emily Mitchell-Polci and Michael Plant lived in the west end of Lakewood, they used to take walks in the neighborhood and noticed there weren’t any businesses that catered to families and kids, even though this neighborhood has many families who live in the area and frequent Wagar Park across the street.

Space opened up in a building at the corner of Hilliard and Carabel, and Plant was the realtor helping to find a tenant. Plant asked Mitchell-Polci what she thought would do well in that space, and she immediately said “A children’s bookstore!” and the idea for The Wandering Lantern was born.

Fast forward to today, about six months later, and co-owners and partners Mitchell-Polci and Plant are putting the finishing touches on The Wandering Lantern, a cozy and welcoming children’s bookstore, which they believe is the only children-focused bookstore in the area.

They held a grand opening on Nov. 29 and are open Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m.

Mitchell-Polci, who teaches third and fourth grade reading and writing at a nearby private school, hopes to inspire kids to read and develop a love of learning and creativity.

Over the last few months, as Mitchell-Polci and Plant have been building out the space, ordering specially curated, quality children’s books, and creating cozy and welcoming spaces in the shop, they’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people who live in the neighborhood who are excited about a new bookstore opening.

“People are pumped,” said Mitchell-Polci before teh opening. “I’ve been in here every day, opening boxes and trying to clean and put stuff away, and people knock on the window and ask what’s coming in the space. They’re just so excited.”

The store’s bookshelves offer books for kids of all ages, organized into cozy nooks, as well as book clubs for families and kids, craft nights, story times and other events.

In the coming months, Mitchell-Polci and Plant plan to open up a second room with a gas fireplace, comfortable chairs and study tables.

The third phase of the store will renovate a space in the basement to create a children’s playroom and gathering space where they’ll be able to host events and birthday parties. Generations of Lakewood families will recognize the Alice in Wonderland-themed murals and decorations, which Mitchell-Polci and Plant saved from Malley’s ice cream parlor down the street, which just completed its own renovations.

LakewoodAlive, a nonprofit that supports neighborhoods, small businesses and the community, offers many types of support for Lakewood’s small businesses, including The Wandering Lantern.

According to Jo Higgins, operations manager for LakewoodAlive, in Lakewood, people don’t want big box stores. “They want small business, they want to support people, and they want to support families,” she says. “I think entrepreneurs feel that people in Lakewood truly love small businesses, and there’s a lot of support for them here. And there’s a little something for everyone.”

For Plant, a self-described serial entrepreneur currently working in real estate and construction, Lakewood is the perfect place to start a business like The Wandering Lantern. “I’ve never been in a community where every single person I bumped into is so nice, so inviting and welcoming,” he said.

He and Mitchell-Polci are hoping to create a community space where kids, families, and all are welcome. “I’m hoping they’ll come and have a break from regular life. They can come here and geek out on books maybe, be creative, and meet new people,” she said. “I’m trying to go all out, so that it’s really magical.”

The Wandering Lantern is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m., and is located at 15729 Madison Avenue in Lakewood.