The Nook Bookstore - Cedar Falls, IA

The Nook Bookstore, Cedar Falls, IA

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Cedar Falls, IA is one of the towns I’ve kept an eye on for a long time because I couldn’t believe they didn’t have a bookstore.  After all, Cedar Falls has a healthy population of approximately 40,000 and is home to a major university, the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).  Husband/wife owners Brandon and Abby thought the same thing and decided to take action.  They decided to jump in with both feet and thanks to Abby’s dad, Brandon’s sister, and other relatives (it takes a village, as you indie owners know) their dreams were realized with a now 5-month old bookstore that is off to a fantastic start and doing very well.  Way to go, Cedar Falls!

When you enter this store, the organization is very apparent.  In general, books on the right, sidelines and gifts on the left.  The one-level space offers all new books with the exception of a few used books accepted as donations only.  Slowly but surely, they’re widening their scope that just lately began to offer online sales.  They've recently hired an events coordinator that will soon become part of the store’s vision.  The Nook already has three book clubs and that number will soon expand.  And most exciting of all, the store will soon be expanding its space into an empty store next door.  They hope to offer a cafe service, expanded hours, and of course more books, possibly including more used books.

The first thing I thought of when I saw the sidelines was, man, they sure do have a lot of candles.  Well DUH, that’s because Brandon makes them!  What a great way to reduce overhead.  They have the same quirky names as candles found in other bookstores.  In fact, you might see some of Brandon’s candles that he’s sold to other bookstores.  And if you have a quirky name for a candle he can personalize it for you.  Brandon’s wife Abby also creates sidelines for the store including earrings, tote bags, and t-shirts to name just a few. 

The Nook has a great location on Main St. in downtown Cedar Falls surrounded by many interesting and unique small businesses, making foot traffic very attractive and easy.  The store has a solid core of regulars and sees customers from the university community as well.  Despite that, I’m sure that there are many more new customers that need to discover this terrific bookstore.  Check The Nook out and enjoy this new business that completes the downtown community.  Congratulations Brandon and Abby!  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Still True, Maggie Ginsberg.  The small town of Anthem, WI is a place for small-town secrets and curious relationships.  A married couple that doesn’t live together; a school administrator with an alcoholic wife; their small child who is the best friend of a lonely fix-it man; and his wife with many secrets in her past he never knew of.  Another great Wisconsin author.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Under The Henfluence, Tove Danovich.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  All The Sinners Bleed, S. A. Crosby.  

 

Brandon and Abby are very excited about The Nook's future.  This is a "before" picture.  Very soon, the bookstore will be expanding into the business on the right. 

 

 A portion of the display window space. 

Creatively designed sidewalk sign. 

Father's Day is right around the corner.  The Nook has you covered. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the right from the front entrance. 

Lots of gift ideas immediately to the left after entering. 

Check out all these candles.  And these are only some of them in.  Brandon makes many of the candles, a huge benefit for the store since he's the co-owner. 

They even have "staff pick" candles.  I love it!

Attractive table display of new releases inside the front entrance. 

Yes, they have candles!  And Brandon can create one and give it whatever quirky name you want. 

Along the right side of the store.  The store will soon expand its space into the empty adjacent business behind this wall. 

Of course!

It's always fun when you visit a bookstore to find out what the book clubs are reading. 

Pineapple and coconut lip balm?  Who knew!

It's tulip season and this bookstore has them right next to the checkout counter. 

Display of books near the checkout counter. 

Display of unique books and candles.

Just a few of the books of local and regional interest. 

Nice arrangement of books in the children's area. 

The perfect setting to enjoy a book, in the back of the store. 

Overview of the back of the store. 

View looking from the back of the store toward the front entrance.  Some readers might recognize The Indie Bob Spot Director and Bookstore Ambassador, Michelle T. 

Yes, you will need a tote bag for all of your books. 

This dragon helps convey the fantasy/sci-fi section.  Brandon has some great recommendations in these genres. 

If you're on a budget, go back to the front of the store and browse these carts of used books. 

 

With Brandon on the right, the fine co-owner of The Nook Bookstore.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Gardner's Used Books - Tulsa, OK

Gardner's Used Books, Tulsa, OK

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It is impossible for me to convey to you in this short blurb the totality of this legendary Tulsa bookstore.  After all, it’s been here for almost 34 years, a fantastic achievement for any bookstore.  I can’t imagine a larger used bookstore in Oklahoma.  I don’t know what the book count is here but back in the 90s it was already over half a million (ask Gerry for a  more “creative” answer) so you can figure that number MUCH higher now.  But the store here goes hand in hand with its beloved founder and former owner, Richard Gardner.  Sadly, he passed on recently in 2017 but his influence and impact is felt throughout the store and the legacy he left is that of a staff dedicated to the love and care of books, its customers, and most of all with each other for an environment of a true family spirit.  Thank you Richard. 

What began as a hobby for Richard quickly mushroomed and then grew into what you see today.  A massive bookstore that offers almost all used books.  The neatness of organization is apparent and certainly critical for a used bookstore this size.  Gerry, one of the booksellers, has been here since almost the beginning and told me they average 50 boxes of books a day coming to the store.  It is impossible for Gardner’s to take every book that comes in but with their decades in the community they have many options to donate those extra books to schools, prisons, shelters, and other community centers and organizations.  Their online sales are solid but their main business is with in-person shopping.  And with an impressive place like this, it is a must-see for any book lover.  As I told store manager Leigh Ann, Gardner’s is like a museum with its larger than life Hulks, Star Wars characters, vintage arcade games, and so much more.  

Readers, this Tulsa institution is a destination.  Plan your summer trip through Tulsa and enjoy meeting people like Leigh Ann, Gerry, and the entire Gardner’s family.  You won’t experience the store by reading this but by visiting and enjoying the kindness and welcoming spirit of Richard Gardner that lives on in the current staff and throughout the stores’ many bookshelves.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  People Wasn’t Made To Burn, Joe Allen.  This narrative non-fiction is another example of historical tragedy in this country swept under the rug and forgotten.  James Hickman moved his family from Mississippi to Chicago to escape Jim Crow and find a better future.  Unfortunately, 1940s Chicago was overcrowded with others like the Hickman family who were forced to accept overcrowding, lack of heat, poor plumbing, little or no water, and rent payments that were unrealistic, all at the hands of corrupt landlords.  For 1940s Chicago, fires in these slums were common along with loss of life.  For James Hickman, the tragedy was the loss of his four youngest children in a fire of questionable origin.  6 months after the fire James murdered the landlord and his legal battles began with overwhelming community and legal support.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Still True, Maggie Ginsberg. 

A word of advice before entering. 

I really couldn't get the entire storefront in the picture.  It's enormous. 

This is just above the entrance. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  This large island of counters is mission control. 

Original founder and owner Richard Gardner was a big Marvel Comics fan and you'll find many larger than life replicas like this throughout the store. 

The Incredible Hulk or Jolly Green Giant?  You decide. 

Good heavens YES, you'll need a shopping cart. 

You'll find more than just books at this store.  Head to this room to the right after entering for DVDs, CDs, records, and comics. 

Comic book fans can begin browsing here.  An overview of the room found to the right after entering. 

Many of the comic books can be found to the right after entering the store. 

If you're bringing books in for trade, head for this sign in the front room. 

When was the last time you saw an old school Pac-Man game? 

Heading to the left side of the store. 

Just a few of the LGBTQ books available. 

This idea is a win-win.  Good for customers and good for staff.  

One of the many long book aisles.  You won't be able to get through this store in 5 minutes so make sure you allow plenty of time. 

Partial view of the expansive literature section, to the left after entering. 

Continuing through the store to the left and this overview. 

Great assortment of staff picks. 

The perfect place to sample a book. 

ALWAYS ask your independent bookstore about gift certificates. 

To the far left inside the store you'll find this room, filled with romance among other things. 

The far room to the left will be interesting to true crime fans. 

More staff picks near the checkout counter. 

Name the movie. 

Name the movie. 

Partial overview of the warehouse.  I don't think they're going to run out of books. 

These books are waiting to find a home on the shelves so you can take some home. 

Entrance into the children's room. 

Overview of the large children's room.

With Gerry on the left and Leigh Ann on the right, two of the fine staffers you'll meet at Gardner's Used Books.  Thanks for a great visit.