The Indie Bob Spot: The Midnight Oil Bookstore

The Midnight Oil Bookstore, Greeley, CO

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

Every college town deserves at least one independent bookstore and FINALLY in Greeley, CO that position has been filled by The Midnight Oil Bookstore. And this indie just has that "vibe" of a bookstore in a college town. The University of Northern Colorado is located here and other than the professors the college community has been slow to find this beauty. But I really think that will change in time. After all, Midnight Oil is only 1 1/2 years old and only in its current location for about 8 months. On the other hand, the store enjoys MANY devoted regulars and that will continue to grow along with new customers discovering this indie. This is an example of yet another new bookstore off to a great start after the pandemic and I'm glad to hear that things are going so well.

The Midnight Oil Bookstore offers mostly used books with a few new. The used books are not on a data base but owner Pablo G. knows where to look in the store to find your book request. For customers who bring their books in they offer store credit in return. There are a few sidelines here including Tarot cards (they sell well), note books, and stickers to name just a few. Throughout the store and in the book nooks you'll find many comfortable chairs to sit in to leisurely skim through books.

When you visit this store take special note of the center pillars (see pictures below). Each one is surrounded by a spiral stack of books from floor to ceiling, something I found to be quite remarkable. I don't know how they did this but as Pablo told me it took them 15 hours to do just one. Up close it would seem you could pull a book out of the spiral and watch the entire pile collapse but I can guarantee you these spirals are solid and there is no chance of that (unlike the spiral column of books in your TBR pile!).

I was really impressed with Pablo and bookseller Cherry with the great work they're doing. The highlights of my many visits are usually the people and that was true here.

Now it's YOUR turn, Greeley, to enjoy a terrific bookstore experience right under your noses. Your wait is over and now you need to take a visit to this wonderful bookstore and get to know the kind and friendly people you'll meet there. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Leaving Berlin, Joseph Kanon. A spy vs spy cold war, historical fiction thriller that takes place in 1949 Berlin. Alex Meier is a Jewish German author of some renown who left Berlin for America before the war. He comes back to Berlin as an undercover agent. But in a city filled with communists, Russians, former Nazis, and Brits, it was a little hard for me to tell who was on who's side.

CURRENTLY READING: Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Nothing! Everything was gifted! The Raft, S. A. Bodeen. Speciality popcorn and stickers. Thanks Pablo!

An expansive storefront.

The storefront offers abundant display window space.

View looking into the store from the front entrance. See the large stack of books? That column by itself was 15 hours of work. Impressive.

Looking to the right from the front entrance.

SAVA is the Sexual Assault Victim Center in Greeley. This display exhibits books relevant to that topic. Nicely done, Midnight Oil.

Stickers are a hit everywhere.

Closer look at the stack of books built around one of the stores' poles. I can't even imagine the work involved.

Left side of the store and a great place to sit and sample a book.

Variety of beverages offered.

Proceeding through the store. Alert readers may recognize the Director of Operations for The Indie Bob Spot, Michelle T. She is assisted by capable assistant Matty T.