The founders of Boo Radley's Inc. have sold the quirky gift-and-novelties shop in downtown Spokane to a longtime employee.

Jen Menzer bought a majority interest in the 29-year-old retail shop, located at 232 N. Howard, from its founders, Andy and Kris Dinnison, on Jan. 1. The parties announced the transaction today, March 1. Kris Dinnison declines to disclose the terms of the transaction, but she says the couple will retain a small percentage of ownership in Boo Radley's, with the intention of selling their remaining percentage to Menzer in a few years. Dinnison declines to disclose how much stake the couple retains in the retail store, whose name is inspired by a character from the 20^th century classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Menzer has worked for 21 years as a manager and buyer at Boo Radley's and at nearby sister store Atticus Coffee & Gifts. Dinnison says Menzer has also spend time mentoring and training staff—Boo Radley’s has five employees—and has worked closely with the Dinnisons throughout her 20-plus years with the stores.

"Jen has been doing a lot of the day-to-day work at Boo Radley's for a long time, and we've been more focused on Atticus," Dinnison says.

The Dinnisons retain ownership of Atticus. The couple bought the gift shop and coffee shop at 222 N. Howard, which previously had been a 4 Seasons Coffee, in 2009 and renamed it after another To Kill a Mockingbird character.

The couple started Boo Radley's in Spokane in 1993. Dinnison says she and Andy have been facing health issues recently, which spurred them to complete the sale.

The ownership changeover has been in the works for about five years, she says.

"We talked with Jen for a long time about how when we started thinking about our exit strategies, we would love it if she could take over," Dinnison says.

The Dinnisons announced plans for the ownership change to employees in late 2019 and intended to make the sale final in 2020. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they decided to hold off until Boo Radley's economic future was more certain.

"With COVID and all the craziness, we wanted to make sure we were selling Jen a healthy store," Andy Dinnison says. "2021 was the best year Boo’s and Atticus have ever had. It’s a perfect time to pass the torch.”