Ruby's Books is moving across Sutter Street after owner Stacy Gould purchased a Historic Folsom building for $1.67 million.

Gould bought the former Fire and Rain Gallery property at 705 Sutter St. in April, according to real estate records first reported by the Sacramento Business Journal. The independent bookstore currently operates out of a 2,000-square-foot storefront at 724 Sutter St., directly across the street.

Plans call for expanding the building into a two-story retail space totaling more than 6,000 square feet, the Folsom Times reported. About 2,000 square feet would be added upstairs, with roughly 4,500 square feet devoted to retail.

"We are very excited that we will more than double our store size," Gould said.

A dedicated children's department is central to the redesign. Gould said the children's section could be approximately the size of the entire existing bookstore. The expanded building would also provide room for author appearances, book clubs, readings and other community events.

Ruby's Books has already used portions of the 705 Sutter St. space for events while preparing for the eventual move.

The property sits next to the Folsom Hotel, established in 1885 at 703 Sutter St. Because the planned addition exceeds 500 square feet, it will require commission-level design review under the city's Historic District rules. The City of Folsom estimates at least two to three months from a complete application for that review. No permit application or hearing date has been publicly filed.

Gould is targeting a move sometime in 2027, potentially during the summer or later, depending on approvals and construction.

Gould opened Ruby's Books in 2020. The store is named after her golden retriever, Ruby. The dog is a fixture at the current storefront. In a January 2024 profile in Style Magazine, Gould said giving back to the community has been central to the bookstore's mission since before it opened. As of that profile, the bookstore had served as a presenting sponsor of the Twin Lakes Food Bank Gala and sponsored annual Historic District events.

Fire and Rain Gallery, a longtime Sutter Street business, closed in late 2024. The building was briefly occupied by a marketing company before Gould's purchase.

Gould said she is working with architects and contractors on the expansion plans.