The Indie Bob Spot: July 2026

Prairie Pages Bookstore, Sun Prairie, WI

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If you know anyone who might be planning a move to Sun Prairie, WI, boy do I have the perfect place for them. Prairie Pages is located in a beautiful, modern, multi-use building on the edge of downtown Sun Prairie. You can get a great place to live in a luxury apartment above a bookstore. And a coffee shop. And an ice cream parlor. A living location like this would be a dream for many people. Best of all, you can enjoy a beautiful and attractive bookstore below your apartment and easily become a daily visitor with easy access like this.

And if you’re a daily visitor, you should absolutely take advantage of the store loyalty program that many regulars are already in. I wish all indies would offer a program like this. This is just one of the several successful features of Prairie Pages, only in its 8 months of existence. Its perfect location is also a benefit for the many customers who also visit the town’s weekly farmer’s market. This one-level store is very neatly organized with an inventory offering all new books and many unique sidelines. Typical sidelines include stickers, greeting cards, and store merch. I thought the art work offered here by local artists was especially strong including everything from canvas paintings, candles, and wall-hangings to pottery, journals, and bookmarks to name just a few. In the store’s brief existence, they already have hosted author events and story time for kids. They also have a store book club. When you visit here, take time to enjoy the remarkable wall mural running the length of the store on the right side. Outstanding. But if you can’t visit in person, don’t forget you can always order a book from Prairie Pages online.

I’ve learned on this journey of bookstore visits that people come to their ownership from a wide-range of occupations besides bookstores. I’m not sure I’ve been to a bookstore where the husband/wife owners were an NFL player and an occupational therapist. But that’s the case here with James and Erin D. (I didn’t get to meet James and Erin but I know they’re super people since they’re graduates from the University of Iowa). Even though I didn’t get to meet either on this day, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting MacKenzie, the very knowledgeable and kind bookseller on duty. Booksellers like MacKenzie are one of the reasons to enjoy a bookstore experience like the one you’ll have at Prairie Pages. Congratulations to you all. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Miss Muriel and Other Stories, Ann Petry. One of the best African-American female authors of the early to mid-20th century. Collection of short stories that are a reflection of her life and times in a racist country. Recommended. If you want to read something other than short stories by this author, get a copy of The Street, my favorite book of hers. Highly recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: Up In The Old Hotel, Joseph Mitchell.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau, Kristin Harmel.

What a dream this would be living above a bookstore...

... and a coffee shop..

...and an ice cream parlor.

Amen Prairie Pages.

View looking into the bookstore from the front entrance. At the back of this space you can see a doorway that enters a hallway and runs behind the coffee shop, ice cream parlor, and the bookstore. Perfect for exploring all these businesses without going outside.

View looking to the right from the front entrance. Check out that mural on the wall, a remarkable work by the artist who created this.

Just inside the entrance, a table display of various sidelines and books.

This is an example of the unique works of art you'll find in the store. If you see something here and you like it, GET IT! You rarely find it elsewhere.

Attractive table display, front and center.

All of the artwork available for purchase has been created by talented local artists.

Probably my favorite place in the store, located near the front of the store.

Uniquely crafted pottery and bookmarks.

Interesting.

Head over to the right side of the store and let the browsing begin.

One of the many bookshelf aisles.

If I'm not in the front of the store, I just might be stretched out here.

Variety of bookstore socks.

Incredible wall hanging created by a local artist.

You'll only find Prairie Pages merch at Prairie Pages.

This is the display of books offered as the "blind date with a book" promotion. I can't believe how far this idea has evolved. The wrapping and packaging just gets better and better. Great job MacKenzie.

The detail and neatness of this blind date book is excellent.

Another super example of attractive blind date book wrapping. When I first started seeing these promotions, books were wrapped in plain brown paper. Now I see everything. Booksellers are a creative breed.