Coldwater Books - Tuscumbia, AL

Coldwater Books, Tuscumbia, AL

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Readers, do you know how many bookstores I've visited and think, man, if I only lived closer I could be a regular? (practically all of them, of course!)  For me, that thought hit me the whole time I was at Coldwater Books.  What's not to like?  An absolutely beautiful, historic interior with a main floor and an upper wrap-around balcony.  A cafe in the front of the store to pick up a latte on your way in.  Lots of very comfortable seating throughout the store including the kind of over-stuffed leather chair that nearly swallows you when you sit in it.  An attractive piano that I could sit down and play to annoy others.  Lots of new books including especially strong sections by local authors and about local history.  And best of all, two wonderful people that inspire me as all other indie workers do thanks to their kindness and welcoming spirit.  

For folks who aren't local, Tuscumbia can be a mouthful to pronounce.  So its interesting to note that the bookstore's name comes from what this town used to be called, the much easier to pronounce, Coldwater.  The space and building itself have a long history dating back to the Civil War.  This space has seen many lives including a general store in the 1800s.  For recent history, the book store has been in business since the 1990s located on a great corner spot in the heart of Tuscumbia.  In addition to new books, you'll find a good assortment of greeting cards, journals and notebooks and a variety of local artwork in different mediums.  And if you can't make it to the store, visit them online and place an order there.  

Tuscumbia, like other small communities across the country, is challenged to support small local businesses.  Tuscumbia friends, if you want to keep your small businesses and communities vibrant you must support places like Coldwater Books with your presence and patronage.  And that goes for you folks in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and other nearby communities too.  This is an easy trip for you to make and I encourage you to do so.  This is one of the best places in the area, visit here and discover it.

Best of all, you get to meet people like Mari, the store manager, and Kristina one of the staffers.  These two are my inspiration at Coldwater Books.  Pay this wonderful store and these two people a visit.  I can only be a regular in spirit, you have to do it in person.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Parnassus On Wheels, Christopher Morley.  Published in 1917, a 39-year old, overweight, single woman lives on a farm taking care of her author brother.  But when a traveling bookseller comes by the farm and offers to sell his traveling bookstore-wagon, books, horse, and dog, she jumps at the chance for her own adventure leaving behind the toils of farm work.  A must read for booksellers and owners.  I thoroughly enjoyed this.  Recommended.     

CURRENTLY READING:  An American Marriage,  Tayari Jones.   

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  A bag of flavored coffee, marshmallow cream.  

Beautiful flower planters just outside the store.  

You're almost there.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Current book displays just to the left after entering.  

Looking into the cafe just to the right after entering.  

Just inside the front entrance you'll find some magazines to go with your morning coffee.  

Stepping a little further into the store and past the cafe you'll get this view looking toward the back of the store.

In recognition of Hellen Keller's birthplace, you'll find some souvenir t-shirts here.  

Display of staff picks.  

Items of local interest.  

I love this book arch, originally constructed for a wedding.  This stairway is one of two ways to the upstairs wrap-around balcony.  

A variety of journals and notebooks.  

The store is especially strong with books of local interest and history.  

One of the book nooks on the main floor.  

An excellent selection of greeting cards.  

Two great places to sit and sink into a read.  

Nice.  

Find this section for a bargain.  

View looking into the children's section.  

Upstairs you'll find this great setting to relax with a book.  

Lots of places to sit upstairs.  

From the balcony looking from the back toward the front of the store.

Some of the great artwork available by local artists.  

Try some chess in between your books.  

Or take a sit at this beautiful piano.  

From the front of the balcony looking toward the back of the store.  

Another view of the cafe.  

Another example of the terrific local artistry available here.  

With Kristina in the center and Mari on the left, two of the fine people you'll meet at Coldwater Books.  Thanks for a great visit.