Quail Ridge Books & Music - Raleigh, NC

Quail Ridge Books & Music - Raleigh, NC

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When I walked into Quail Ridge Books & Music and met the people working this weekday morning I felt like I was immediately drugged.  Regular readers know these visits are a passion and this visit hit an 11 on a scale of 10.  I was truly on a high after I left this place thanks to the enthusiastic welcome from Helen, the floor manager; Sarah, the general manager; Bill, a bookseller; and Linda, children's department.  For those of you who are regular customers at Quail Ridge, how do you come into this store and not just stay for, oh like, a week?!  All of these people are 5-star and that's a perfect fit since they work at a 5-star bookstore.

Quail Ridge Books & Music is one of the indies featured in Ron Rice's, My Bookstore, and it's easy to see why.  This is a very large and expansive, one-level store that offers a little bit of everything.  The breadth of inventory here reminds somewhat of The Booksellers At Laurelwood in Memphis, as well as a large chain bookstore, and I mean that in the most complimentary of terms.  There are lots of sidelines here to go along with an excellent book inventory.  Helen told me that the sidelines are important, as they are for many indies.  There are lots of greeting cards to choose from which is one of their best sidelines offered.  The music part of Quail Ridge Books & Music includes a great selection of classical and jazz CDs as well as holiday CDs.  Some indies now offer music on vinyl and this is something they are considering here at Quail Ridge.  The store is very active with author events and signings.  Most of these are held on-site but they have options off-site with larger venues as they were doing with Robert Reich who was appearing on the evening of my visit.

Helen told me that Quail Ridge has a very strong local customer base and I can see why.  They've been around 31 years and in the present location for about 20.  This is all well and good but it starts with the booksellers and staff in the store.  The success of Quail Ridge lies here.  My one regret is that I didn't get to meet more of the staff.  If they're all like the four I met I probably would've passed out on an overdose of southern hospitality!

If I ever start handing out awards for bookstore bathrooms, this one will be in the running.  

What else?  Well don't miss the bathroom.  You'll forget what you went in there for.  It's like being in a museum.  The walls are covered with framed pictures of authors who've visited Quail Ridge.  They'll all be watching you.  This might take some getting used to, just ask Bill.  You won't get this experience on Amazon.  Don't miss this terrific indie and the rock stars who work there.  You won't want to leave.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Sisters Brothers, Patrick DeWitt.  Two brothers in the 1850s are hired to murder a guy.  They travel from Oregon City to San Francisco and there are adventures along the way. An odd western.  It was ok.

CURRENTLY READING:  I Am Pilgrim, Terry Hayes.  This book is chilling.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Not purchased but gifted, Andy & Don, Daniel de Visé.  Thanks for the advanced readers copy.  I'm a huge Mayberry fan so I'm looking forward to this one.

Front window and a book display before you even enter the store.  

Another view of the store front.  

Looking through the store from the front entrance.  

Looking to the right from the front entrance.  

Authors who will be visiting Quail Ridge and their books prominently displayed

A nice declaration and of course something my teacher friends can relate to.  

The store has an extensive selection of greeting cards.  These are only a few.  

A nice display of recent popular releases.  

You'll find lots of staff picks displayed.  

A creative display of award-winning books.  

Look who's coming!

An attractive display relevant to the season.  

Lots of CDs to choose from, especially for classical music lovers.  

A great place to sit and try out a book.  

A display of boxed sets of greeting cards.  

A large area of magazines offered.  

View from the back of the store looking toward the front.  

This is the area where many of the author events are held.  Lots of room for this.  

A portion of the children's section.  

Can't make it to the store?  Order your book the new-fashioned way.  

I always see some of the most unique socks in independent bookstores.  

With Sarah on the left and Helen on the right.  Thanks for a great visit.