Book lovers will find something new in one of Renton’s oldest buildings.

The Old Renton Book Exchange opened its doors last week, becoming the only bookstore in the city.

“Renton needed a book exchange. They just did,” said 29-year-old owner Dacia Hanson. “Then I found this beautiful building and the beautiful space.”

The store opened in the recently remodeled Louisa Building on Wells Avenue, once home to City Hall. Its beautifully restored brick facade breathes a scholarly air.

“I could tell that this particular area of town has a bit of a Renaissance going,” Hanson said.

The Seattle resident joins the ranks of young people who have opened businesses in old Renton.

After working at the McDonald’s Book Exchange in Redmond for about 11 years, owner Anne St. Germain decided it was time Hanson had a store of her own.

“She’s been talking about owning her own bookstore for most of that time,” St. Germain said. “She found a good place I think.”

This is the second store St. Germain has helped open. Her former employee Greg Heter opened the The Maple Leaf Exchange in Issaquah.

“It just seems like she should have a chance to try it,” St. Germain said, adding that Hanson is like family.

In addition to encouragement, St. Germain also gave more than 6,000 books to get the business started. Hanson has been taking donations from friends and family. Her cousin ran a book drive in February.

The store’s built-in bookshelves pop against its bright-blue walls. A remodeled entry brings plenty of light and dark wood display cases promise books that attract the eye.

Hanson is a trained antiquarian, meaning she can appraise antique and collectible books.

A children’s section will soon be complete with its own castle.

The store will have a little bit of everything, including a special section for conspiracy books, thanks to a late friend who bequeathed his book collection to her.

“I’m going to have a special ode to him,” she said with a laugh.

She also expects to grow a large romance section, as people tend to read romance compulsively, she said.

Renton hasn’t had a bookstore since Buy the Book closed a year ago on Williams Avenue South.

Exchanges are different from used book stores, offering sellers credit over money. Customers can use credit to cover up to 65 percent of their purchases.

The store’s merchandise is dependent on what customers bring in.

The three stores are planning to accept each other’s credit, which guarantees customers a better chance of finding a book.

The books are sold for about a third of their cover price.

The business model will work well in the area, Hanson said.

In addition to the books, she’s also taking a 150-person mailing list, all people in the south end who drive up to McDonald’s.

The store’s new neighbors are coin and stamp shops, a good indicator of traffic flow. Nearby coffee shops promise a good reading atmosphere.

Most days Hanson will run the store.

“She’s a very bright, very personable young girl and I think people will enjoy her store,” St. Germain said.

The store is a chance for Hanson to share her passion.

“Every book has a life and a soul,” Hanson said. “It’s a fundamental experience and you’ve shared that with everyone who read that book.”