There are moments that remind us what community really means—not in theory, but in the quiet, immediate ways we show up for one another when something breaks.

Just days before opening her first permanent storefront, Sarah Ambrus—the founder of Lioness Books—experienced a devastating fire. The storage building behind the shop, which held everything prepared for move-in day—books, inventory, furniture, tools, and supplies—was destroyed or left covered in smoke damage. It was all set to come together. The doors were nearly ready to open. And then, overnight, everything changed. KEYE +1

But to understand why this matters, you have to understand who Sarah is—and what she’s built.

Lioness Books didn’t begin as a storefront. It began as a mobile bookstore, operating out of a twenty-foot trailer, bringing literature directly into neighborhoods across Central Texas—meeting people where they are, expanding access, and building community one conversation, one book at a time. Leander TX Official Site

Sarah, a former high school teacher, has always believed that literacy changes lives—and she’s carried that belief into every corner of her work, from advocating for readers and writers to creating space for voices often overlooked.

Over time, that work grew into something larger: a vision for a permanent home. A space not just for books, but for connection—for local artists, writers, and the broader community she has spent years nurturing.

This is that moment.

Through this collection, $10 from every item sold will go directly toward helping Lioness Books rebuild, restock, and continue forward. Because Sarah has always shown up for her community.

Now, it’s our turn to show up for her. Visit the Pay it Forward page to support Lioness Bookstore rebuild.