The Indie Bob Spot: Beyond Barcodes Bookstore

Beyond Barcodes Bookstore, Kokomo, IN

(Like The Indie Bob Spot on Facebook and follow The Indie Bob Spot on Twitter)

Regular readers of The Indie Bob Spot know that I firmly believe that towns of just about any size should have an independent bookstore. I also enjoy discovering that many of these bookstores have a component of community outreach and involvement. But very few walk the walk like Beyond Barcodes Bookstore and its wonderful owner DeAndra B. Not only should every community have an independent bookstore, but they should all have one like Beyond Barcodes and they should all have a DeAndra B. As the name of this store indicates, it goes way beyond the barcodes on a book. And DeAndra is the perfect person to deliver this message, this store, and the gathering space that is so needed to provide an understanding among all.

You don't have to be a reader to enjoy a visit to this store. Beyond Barcodes hosts multiple events of all kinds and they have lots of space to pull it off. You can take classes in Spanish, French, Portuguese, sign-language, and ESL, just to name a few. Looking for an art class? Find one here. And these are available for all ages. Idlewild Books in NYC is similar to this with their offerings, but you don't have to go there to take advantages of these opportunities in Kokomo. It is also a great community gathering space, available to all people including town hall meetings and professors with classes from Indiana University - Kokomo. If you're in Kokomo and not taking advantage of all there is at this bookstore, you're really missing out. This store and DeAndra are the perfect example of community development, education, and outreach.

This multi-cultural bookstore has been here for just over a year, a mere baby. The store is a great source of multi-cultural books and DeAndra will do a good job of hand-selling. You'll also find a good variety of local artwork in different mediums, jewelry, potions and creams, and various ethnic items. In the back of the store is the Bind Cafe where you can enjoy something light to eat and a coffee. For the full experience at Beyond Barcodes, I would recommend the Airbnb space available above the store.

Of all the opportunities available here, the best one of all is meeting DeAndra. This owner has an energy, a presence, and best of all a friendliness that is undeniable and will easily sustain this store in the years ahead. Expect to hear big things about this store and its owner. Visit Beyond Barcodes and enjoy having much more than a typical bookstore experience. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING: The Poet Of Tolstoy Park, Sonny Brewer.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Thelonious Rising, Judith Richards.

A bookstore and a language learning center.

View looking into the store from the front entrance. Habitual readers may recognize the celebrity sprinting into the store. Yes, that's my mom.

After entering the store, you'll follow around to the right and this is then the view looking front to back.

Table display of multi-cultural books of interest.

Need some headache potion or stress relief to go with your book? Find this display.

Some great children's recommendations.

Find this display and you'll find something to be inspired.

A nice assortment of women's accessories and bags.

Find this display and read about people.

Never too early to teach this lesson.

Required reading to understand others.

Beautiful hand-made items.

A great place to sit and have a coffee or talk about a few books.

Go to this store and pick out a book. You'll learn something.

These look like some of the most relaxing recliners I've seen in any bookstore. Basically, one rung below a bed! Wake me when you get ready to close the store!