The Indie Bob Spot: Putnam Six

Putnam Six, Enid, OK

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I’m always fascinated by the stories of bookstore owners and how they came into the bookstore business. Many, like owner Chloe F., open a bookstore with no prior experience in bookstores or business. But as she told me before starting P6, Enid cannot NOT have a bookstore. Her journey to P6 began when her job in the state government came to an end. She had no idea what she was going to do until one night she sat up in bed, a light bulb went on, and she had a clear vision of opening a bookstore. And now 5 1/2 years later, the business is doing very well (last year was the best year yet) and the worries of the first few years (a time she calls the “ulcer” years) are long gone. Way to go Chloe!

Putnam Six carries all new books along with a small assortment of sidelines. When the store opened, Chloe began with just the books but soon realized that some sidelines helped the monthly margin. Themed soy candles and store t-shirts are streaky sellers and you’ll also find puzzles and bookmarks to name a few. The store has an excellent location in the Sunset Plaza and shares customers with nearby businesses like Hobby Lobby and Ross Dress For Less, a great arrangement for any bookstore.

Surviving the pandemic was challenging for all small businesses but I really love the Enid story and their strategy to help these places succeed. Think of it as a flash mob that would pick a day and descend en masse to support your business. In Enid, they called this a “Cash Mob.” It could've been a hamburger place or P6, but the mob came and supported the businesses and for Chloe, this was a big deal and it really helped. Nice job, Enid.

The life of a bookseller requires lots of breaks.

Putnam 6 is a one-person show except for one additional staffer. Finegan is another in a long line of the best bookstore dogs I’ve been so lucky to meet. Heck, Chloe even told me she’d get calls asking if Finegan would be in the store and if not, they would just come another day. THIS is the bookstore experience you’ll NEVER get online. If you’re a regular at P6, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: The Pony Express Rides On, Mabel Loving. I picked this one up at The Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, MO. This book was the result of decades of dedicated research by the author, a local St. Joseph resident. She didn't live to see it published but when it was it offered a very accurate history of the pony express, its riders, its stations, its challenges, and the men who got it all started in the late 19th century. Primary sources are plentiful. History buffs will love this and I enjoyed reading it.

CURRENTLY READING: People Wasn't Made To Burn, Joe Allen.

Putnam 6 is located in this retail plaza surrounded by many other businesses, a great location.

The P6 storefront.

This a portion of the front display window space.

An award-winning member of the Enid business community. Well-deserved in my opinion.

Looking to the left from the front entrance. I love the shade of blue used for the interior.

Looking straight ahead into the store from the front entrance.

Looking to the right from the front entrance. Stroll over to that first bookshelf and pick out a P6 t-shirt.

Have a seat and sample a new book.

You'll see some terrific bookstore quotes like this one posted around the store.

The uniqueness of independent bookstores knows no bounds. I love this table lamp with the books as its base. If you know creative crafty people you should make these and offer them in your bookstore.

Attractive table display in the front of the store.

Popular fiction table display.

Anybody my age or older probably sat in one of these in grade school.

I really like how Chloe arranges her table displays.

Perfect. Try to pry me out of this one.

A few of the books of local and regional interest.

P6 offers an assortment of puzzles.

This is Finegan's office behind the checkout counter.

A perfect place for friends, relatives, or a book club.

Wonderful display of books by local authors.

Finegan offers comfort to a browsing customer.

Soy candles for any mood.

I found lots of favorite places in this store that I could get comfy in.

A few of the bookmarks available.

Overview of the children's area in the back rear left of the store.

A perfect place for a little reader to getaway with a book.

Overview of the back of the store and the children's area.

View from the back of the store toward the front entrance.

Regular followers of this blog know what a sucker I am for bookstore dogs, all who are wonderful ambassadors for their stores. I'm so glad Finegan consented to this picture. He's on the left.