Maggie and Wes Hansen, who are planning to open a new bookstore in Austin, Texas, later this year, said they are eyeing the neighborhoods of Rosedale or Hyde Park for their future general-interest store.

While the couple has yet to begin scouting out storefronts, the goal of their new venture is clear: to be a go-to neighborhood bookstore for all ages and types of readers. Depending on funding and retail space options, the Hansens hope to open a hip, clean, 2,000-square-foot shop at the end of this summer or the beginning of fall.

Playing off the outdoorsy vibe of Austin and the idea that reading is an adventure, the Hansens plan to name the bookstore The Paper Trail and to infuse the shop with themes of exploration. The name also pays homage to the importance of the physical, paper book. "Everyone's bookcase is their own paper trail," said Wes Hansen. "It's a reflection on their past and their future."

Both Hansens have bookselling experience from stints at Books & Company in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Maggie Hansen, who currently works for a communications firm in Austin, previously worked in publicity for Simon & Schuster in New York. Wes Hansen, formerly a pro golfer with a background in art and merchandising, just completed fire academy training and will divide his time between firefighting and bookselling.

After attending a Paz & Associates workshop last year and last week's Winter Institute, the Hansens said they feel like they are on the right track with their business plan for the bookstore.

"We feel like this is a viable venture," said Maggie Hansen, noting the huge technology boom happening in Austin right now. "We feel like there's this forward momentum."

The Hansens know about the many well-loved indie booksellers rooted in Austin - BookPeople, Malvern Books, and Bookwoman, among others - but they feel that there's plenty of room for another community-oriented space. "We've noticed that some parts of Austin don't have just a small, neighborhood bookstore," said Maggie Hansen.

At their first Winter Institute in Denver, Maggie Hansen noted how wonderful it was to be in an environment with so many other people who were excited and optimistic about bookselling. Wes Hansen said, "The relationship building has been priceless."