Aurora's Scrapbook Page marks fifth anniversary

At The Scrapbook Page in Aurora, the uninitiated will immediately see that modern scrapbooking is about much more than simply slapping photos into an album. The extensive inventory in the business on the  north side of the downtown square, plus the rows of tables in the work space behind that, make that fact instantly obvious.
Lynelle Johnson and her customers will celebrate the fifth anniversary of her business June 20-21 with special promotions based — appropriately enough — around the number 5.
The Scrapbook Page sells a remarkable variety of supplies and merchandise out front, then provides space for folks to turn it into art in the rear of the building. That space was added by Johnson, effectively doubling the size of the business she purchased five years ago.
Johnson, whose mother-in-law Shirley is a familiar face at the business, too, moved to Aurora from Grand Island upon her marriage 15 years ago. She wasn’t a serious scrapbooker that long ago, but interest and talent in the artform came along in due time.
The former owner moved the store to its present location in October 2002. The following May Johnson bought it out.
Why scrapbooking ... and for that matter what is it?
Johnson said it’s mostly a vast improvement over the old way, which was that “you always put them (photo) in a box or a photo sleeve” and forgot them. “This way you’re telling the story of your photos, and it’s a good way to store your memorabilia, too.”
The Scrapbook Page has “anything you would need to get started” as a beginner, and also a full line of items designed for the advanced customer.
She said many first-timers “Can’t get over the selection we have for being in such a small town. I think people would be amazed by what we have here.”
Johnson said Aurora has provided an ideal environment in which to grow her store, too. All the business, she said, get along well and cooperate for the common good.
“You can go and talk to other businesses and get suggestions” about what has worked in the past and what has not. “We all work together,” Johnson said.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Thursday the store is open 10-7 and Saturday 10-5. The phone number is (4021) 694-5611. Information on coming events, including a benefit crop, can be found at www.scrapbookpageaurora.com.