The Indie Bob Spot: Inklings' Books & Coffee Shoppe

Inklings' Books & Coffee Shoppe - Blue Springs, MO

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Bookstore owners and their businesses are always banding together in a variety of creative ways. I'm constantly amazed by their camaraderie, their shared brotherhood and sisterhood. I can't remember meeting any during my visits that are nastily competitive with each other and I think this is very refreshing. During my visit to Inklings' Books, I found out about the Bushwhackers Bookstore Tour. Each summer, 8 independent bookstores in the Kansas City area band together to introduce customers to their stores in a 3-week period. Your goal? Visit each participating bookstore, win gifts and prizes, take advantage of special offers at each store, and enjoy some of their special events. Kind of like stamping your passport to different countries or even doing your own mini Indie Bob Spot bookstore tour. But unlike other businesses, independent bookstores are one for all and all for one. I think this is a fantastic promotion of bookstores and I would encourage other bookstores around the country who are geographically close to each other to consider a wonderful event like this. Think of it as looking for bookstores instead of Pokemon. Eve B., the owner of Inklings', wasn't in the store on the day of my visit but Sue M. was there covering the store. The connection? Sue is the bookstore owner at Read It Again Books in Oak Grove, MO. But today she was the bookseller at Inklings'. Sometimes words fail me when describing these wonderful people I meet in bookstores.

Inkling's offers all used books except for a few new books by local authors. Most books are donated and the store offers credit to the customers. You'll also find vintage and collectable books in various locations throughout the store. Inkling's offers a few sidelines including locally made greeting cards and jewelry. There is also a coffee shop here which is a huge part of the business and Eve's niece, Ally, guaranteed to me that the gelato you get there is out of this world. The store is also host to frequent poetry readings and other author events. Visually, the one-level store is very neat and well organized. Inklings' has a great corner location on Main St. in downtown Blue Springs with free parking available on the street.

Sue and Ally were the best and both of them told me a lot about the store as well as the other bookstores participating in the Bushwhackers Bookstore Tour. Ally is a great ambassador for Inklings' and gelato!

Bookstore lovers, let me help you plan next summer's vacation. Search the internet and/or Facebook and next summer look for Bushwhackers Bookstore Tour IV. You will have a dream vacation, meet wonderful people, and enjoy great bookstores like Inklings' Books And Coffee Shoppe in Blue Springs. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Trombone Answers, John M. Donovan. This is a small press book, self-published by Hillsboro Publishing, LLC, the kind of book you find in an independent bookstore by a local author. I loved this book and was laughing right from the start. Story of a kid growing up in a small town through middle school and high school and dealing with religion, school, sports, band, and girls. A little long, but I enjoyed it. I hope somebody discovers this author.

CURRENTLY READING: The Bartender's Tale, Ivan Doig.