The Reading Reptile, an independent children's bookstore, owned by Pete Cowdin and Deb Pettid, operated in the Kansas City neighborhoods of Westport and Brookside for 28 weird and wonderful years. Well known for it's off-beat author events and whimsical ever-evolving interior, The Reptile received national acclaim and a cult following. The bookstore closed its doors in the spring of 2015 to allow Pettid and Cowdin to focus full-time on their next venture - The Rabbit hOle!