The Indie Bob Spot: Books On Broadway

Books On Broadway, Williston, ND

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The story of Books On Broadway can't be told without sharing the story of Williston. If there is a faster growing community in the US, I don't know where it would be. Williston has grown leaps and bounds over the past several years thanks to Halliburton, among others, and the oil industry. This has created a domino effect that helps construction, housing, schools, and businesses. From a population of approximately 14,000 in 2010, to a population of 30,000+ in 2017, this growth helps everyone in Williston. As Chuck W., the owner told me, it has brought diversity to the area and the "locals" are now the minority. The bottom line? Books On Broadway benefits from the new energy in the community and the new families making the future look bright.

To the uninformed, Williston, ND might conjure up a picture of, well, nothing. Let me tell you, on the week day morning of my visit to this store it was extremely busy. Located in downtown Williston, this generous-sized indie has a little bit of everything. The store occupies two long rooms on one level, offering new books (with a few collectables) and an abundance of sidelines. The average age of the Williston population has dropped drastically over the last few years from 50-somethings to 30-somethings. With those 30-somethings comes families with small children and Chuck has done an excellent job of offering lots of kid's books and items. The store also has a really cool cafe with seating available for your coffee break and book talk. If you're in the Williston area, I would strongly suggest a visit to the cafe.

But this story also cannot be told without mentioning and thanking Chuck's late wife, Robin. She was the one who was the true founder of Books On Broadway back in 1993. Her inspiration and influence is still felt in the store today, more than 15 years after her loss. So Chuck took up the mantel of bookstore owner even though his professional life was formerly in law. Chuck was fantastic to meet and was wonderful to visit with, as I'm sure his customers know. Thanks to Robin for her vision and thanks to Chuck for carrying it forward.

So enjoy your visit to Books On Broadway, located on Broadway of course. Enjoy a coffee, browsing a few books, some locally made greeting cards or crazy socks. Admire the antiques displayed around the room. And enjoy a great time chatting with Chuck while admiring the terrific work he and Robin have done here. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING: Dead Wake, Erik Larson.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Not purchased but gifted, a wonderful Books On Broadway coffee mug. Thanks Chuck.

A large display window with a brilliant reflection on a wonderful day.

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

View looking to the left from the front entrance.

Kids will love finding this table near the front entrance with a variety of sidelines.

For example, where else could you find something like this?!

This is just a few of the items of local interest.

Go halfway through the main room then turn right through a cutout. You are now in the second room and this is looking toward the right.

This is looking to the left after entering the second room. Toward the back is where the cafe is located.

Lots of crazy socks to pick from.

A great chair to sit down and browse through a book.

This is a portion of the children's area.

View looking from the back of the main room toward the front entrance.

There are antiques all over the store which also gives it a bit of a museum feel that I like. This picture shows an antique organ and what I'm sure is an ancient black and white TV.

My woodwind friends will be glad to know you can get reeds here.

Just a few of the greeting cards available.

A variety of jigsaw puzzles.

The cafe counter area. This is toward the back of the second room.

Antique and history buffs will find lots to like in this store.

This is the view from the cafe looking toward the front of the building in the second room.

This is a gigantic slide-rule and Chuck can tell you an interesting story about this. If you're under 40, you probably don't know what this is. Heck, maybe even if you're under 50.