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| Inkwood Books, Haddonfield, NJ |
Have you had it with the real world? Is your high pressure, high stress job starting to wear you down? Boy, have I got some good career advice for you. Step back, take a breath, and find a job that is night and day different from stress and pressure. Of course, readers, you know what I'm suggesting. Naturally, you do exactly what Julie B. at Inkwood Books has done and open a bookstore. In her case, she went from the world of law to the world of books. And the smile on her face spoke volumes about the contentment of her career change.
As much as Julie enjoys this, the people of Haddonfield are especially glad because an absence in the community has been filled. Inkwood Books has been open now for two years and has filled the void of no independent bookstore in the southern Jersey region. The store is continuing to find new customers all the time and the word is still getting out about this newbie. This one-level indie has a great location on the main street through downtown. Many of the city's outdoor festivals and events are in this area and these are great for bringing out-of-towners into the store. It is also a great location for its proximity to some of the schools which helps bring kids into the store. Other than that, this is primarily a strong local community bookstore, something every town deserves.
Julie is doing a great job of developing ties within the community. She offers events in the store or off-site for the larger events. Tweens have a bookclub that meets in the store and Julie goes to a senior center to lead a book club for those folks. There are also quarterly poetry events held right in the store. Inkwood offers a few sidelines including a variety of greeting cards, socks, candles, and journals and notebooks just to name a few.
Julie was very patient to talk to me during my visit. The store was very busy, she was placing orders (YAY!), and helping indoctrinate a new employee. I'm so appreciative of all these bookstore owners who allow me to ask a few question and chat about the store.
If Inkwood Books sounds familiar, it should. There's another Inkwood Books in Tampa, FL owned by her sister. If the Tampa store is like the Haddonfield store, I'll have a great visit there, too.
But for everyone in south Jersey, this is your place. Wake-up and smell the coffee! You have a great indie right under your noses and some of you haven't found it yet. Take a friend and visit Inkwood Books for an experience of book-browsing that you'll return to again and again. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.
CURRENTLY READING: The Bottoms, Joe R. Lansdale.
RECENTLY PURCHASED: Lion, Saroo Brierley.
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| Another view of the storefront. |
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| One of the neatly arranged display windows. |
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| When you enter the bookstore, you'll walk through the doors with this welcome. |
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| View looking into the store from the front entrance. |
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| Display of books made into movies. Always read the book first! |
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| A great place to sit and sample a book. |
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| Fine display of indie bests. Apologies for the blur. |
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| Inkwood staff picks display. |
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| Some very clever magnets. |
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| New releases non-fiction display. |
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| Strategically placed chair near the check out counter for when you have to wait for customers with big book purchases. |
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| I love the unique socks you can find in some independent bookstores. |
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| A few of the greeting cards available. |
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| An assortment of sidelines and gift ideas. |
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| If your friend or family member is a Dr. Who fan, this is a must. |
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| Some of the cooking and food books available but best of all is how they're arranged and displayed on this beautiful piece of furniture. Well done! |
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| You can enjoy a book seated here... |
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| ...while your child enjoys THEIR book here! |
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| There is a great kids section beyond this sign. |
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| A partial view of the children's section. |
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| View looking from the back of the store toward the front entrance. |
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| Many indies develop deep ties within their communities including social causes and Inkwood does the same. |
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| Keep up to date with the events calendar. |
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| Book scented candles, the best. |
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| With Julie, the fine owner at Inkwood Books. Thanks for a great visit. |
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