The Indie Bob Spot

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Buffalo Books & Coffee - Buffalo, MN

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Readers, here me now and believe me later (Hans and Franz, SNL), you need to move QUICKLY to this independent bookstore in east central Minnesota. No, it's not closing any time soon. But the weather will soon be changing to winter and the view from the bookstore's cafe patio will be appearing for a limited time only. The view here is one of the best I've seen from a bookstore (although The Book Worm in Edwards, CO isn't bad!). A great view, a cozy cafe, and a charmng bookstore all rolled into one. No wonder this place has been going strong for 21 years.

The population of Buffalo, MN is approximately 15,000 yet they have a solid, thriving, bookstore and cafe located in the heart of the downtown district. This indie is worthy of any community and any sized town. The one-level store has an excellent balance of books and sidelines to go along with the cafe. The sidelines and cafe are an important part of the success at this indie. Some of these sidelines include items offered by local artisans such as greeting cards and pendants, and coffee mugs. Business does reasonably well here thanks to a strong core of local customers. The store does, however, attract customers from Minneapolis and its surrounding suburbs due to a business district that offers monthly promotions. Buffalo Books & Coffee is able to benefit from these events, a nice bump for the business.

I'm so appreciative of the wonderful people I meet on this journey and their kindnesses extended to me. It's the same story here at Buffalo Books. I had a great talk with Susie, the store manager, and Bobbi, the cafe manager and "coffee queen." Both of these ladies were super to visit with, all on a Monday morning as the store enjoyed steady business. You can tell that this place has a strong core of customers by the interactions they enjoy with Bobbi and Susie.

The store has occasional author signings on-site. They also have book clubs that meet here and an interesting group called the Socrates Club. All great ways to show off the store. Success here also benefits by having no Barnes & Noble nearby.

I urge you to take advantage of the remaining days of nice fall weather and visit this terrific indie. If you're in Buffalo and aren't a regular, you need to become one. But in Minnesota, sooner or later winter will come. When it does you're going to need a book and a coffee. This is your place. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: The Devil All The Time, Donald Ray Pollock. Fringe characters in West Virginia and Ohio during the 1940s - 60s. Somewhat repellent and at times shocking. Outstanding. I loved this book.

CURRENTLY READING: Old Filth, Jane Gardham.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Us, David Nicholls.

A wonderful front window display highlighted by flowers and plants. Sorry for the reflection.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.

Table display near the front of the store.

Looking towards the left of the store from the front entrance.

A few of the greeting cards available here.

A great place to sit with friends and discuss your next book club pick.

A great cause for Buffalo Books in the community.

A nice display of bestsellers.

Kids will love these.

Great sales for middle readers and young adults.

A portion of the children's section.

A wonderful area at the rear of the bookstore and just outside the cafe. They would have to kick me out of here at closing time!

Looking into the cafe.

Looking toward the front of the store from the back.

A nice section of local interests and authors.

Of course, these are my favorite magnets even though I couldn't find "Yay Trombone!"

Susie told me this is a Dr. Who thing. Those fans will get it.

Wonderful view from the back patio. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Another view and another picture that doesn't do it justice.

Susie on the left and Bobbi on the right. Thanks for a great visit.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Lake Forest Book Store - Lake Forest, IL

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Independent bookstores are always happy places for me. But with some of them I visit, there is a vibe, an energy, an indefinable resonance. That's what I got at Lake Forest Book Store. Even if you're not a book person, your visit here will be worth it just to talk to Eleanor T., the owner, or Max G., the store manager. And if you're a book person, there is no reason for you to come away empty-handed.

Lake Forest Book Store is a one-level bookstore located in the historic Market Square of Lake Forest, a very quaint area. This square was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as the original concept of a shopping mall. They've been in their current location for approximately 18 years and the business has been going for over 65 years, a great achievement for any indie. It seems to me to be situated in a great location with many other businesses to attract good foot traffic, ample free parking close to the store, and the Metra station right across the street making it easily accessible for people who want to come here from Chicago.

The store is neatly arranged and offers all new books, including all the recent releases and bestsellers. There are a variety of sidelines and that is a very important part of the business. Kids will love this store for all the books and toy items, including offerings from the popular Melissa and Doug line. There are occasional events in the store but events more often are held off-site and coupled with a lunch or a wine and cheese party, a great way to promote the books and the business. The store has many nearby options for these off-site events with several unique cafes and restaurants in the area, another reason you'll enjoy your visit here. Lake Forest Book Store is also involved with book fairs at some of the local schools and is active with book clubs.

Eleanor and Max were just the best to talk to and told me so much about the store that I can't possibly recount it all here. They enjoy some out-of-town customers, folks who visit Lake Forest College for example, but the bulk of their business is a strong and loyal, local customer base, an indie hallmark. Eleanor has been here 2 years and things are going well for this indie. It certainly helps that it has been established and in place for 65+ years.

The original owners were a group of women who had the foresight to decide that Lake Forest needed a bookstore. Thank goodness they did because in hindsight, all of us who visit Lake Forest Book Store are the fortunate recipients of their vision. Here's another one to put on your list, readers. You won't regret it. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: The Red Notebook, Antoine Laurain. Bookshop owner in Paris finds a discarded purse belonging to a woman who was a victim of a mugging. He goes on a search to return it. I loved this book. Outstanding.

CURRENTLY READING: The Devil All The Time, Donald Ray Pollock. Not familiar with this author but I'm liking this book.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: The Bookshop, Penelope Fitzgerald.

The store is on a corner location of the historic Market Square. Diligent readers will note the celebrity rushing to enter the store. Yes, that's my mom.

One of the beautiful window displays.

Another window display.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.

Looking to the right from the front entrance.

Not many indies have a display devoted to men!

The store has a nice assortment of sidelines.

A nice display of staff picks.

One of the long book aisles along the wall that runs almost the length of the store.

Coloring books for adults seems to be in vogue. I don't get it. But you'll be able to get them here!

These are a few of the greeting cards available here.

I always like seeing reading glasses offered in bookstores just in case I don't have mine with me.

A nice assortment of magazines.

Some of the recent popular books on display.

A portion of the children's section.

Another portion of the nice children's section here. Kids will love this place.

Since Lake Forest is near Chicago, there are lots of Blackhawks fans in the area. Another great offering for kids.

View from the rear of the store looking toward the front.

A perfectly staged picture of young adults under the Young Adult label! Max on the left and Eleanor on the right. Thanks for a great visit.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Pageturner's Bookstore - Indianola, IA

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Hey Central Iowa, wake-up and smell the coffee! Yeah, I'm looking at you Des Moines and all your surrounding towns. Don't come whining to me if you can't find a bookstore when there's a perfectly fine one in your back yard of Indianola. If you haven't discovered it yet, it's time to make your move.

Pageturner's Bookstore is located on the town square of Indianola, IA, a town of approximately 14,000. This indie is another example of a bookstore that can sustain and succeed in a small town, and I've seen many like it. My consternation arises when I know how many communities that are much larger who have nothing. This indie has been open for a little over a year and it is a perfect representation of the wonderful bookstores I see in smaller towns around the country.

The store has a great corner location on the square which is very conducive for good foot traffic. You'll find new and used books all neatly arranged and organized. Bring in your used books and you'll receive a small cash reimbursement or feel free to donate your used books. This is a great way to support a local business. The space is very bright thanks to very tall windows along both sides of the building. You'll find some great, unique cards here that you won't find anywhere else since Kathy M., the owner, designed them. Other than these original cards and some jigsaw puzzles, there are few sidelines, partly due to limited space. As Kathy gets a better feel for customer preferences, you may see some other items in time. Since this indie is relatively new, decisions like additional sidelines, online sales, and author events, are all things that Kathy hopes to have happen in the future. There is a good base of supportive, local customers with occasional out-of-towners. The store is also getting a little business from the local college, Simpson.

I had a terrific chat with Kathy while I was at the store. Even though she's only been here a little over a year, she has plenty of experience since she was a bookseller for 20 years prior. She has all the qualities I see in many bookstore owners. She's friendly, knowledgeable, helpful to customers, and she has a passion for what she does.

But she has a trump card the other owners may not have. I met Pageturner's two uber customers during my visit. They would be the equivalent of season ticket holders, and nobody advocates for an owner like these two customers. Every indie needs customers like these because their support will never waver. So even if business slows, I know her parents will always be ready to get a book.

No more excuses Central Iowa. You have a great indie to check out. Take a friend and spend some time at Pageturner's Bookstore. You'll have a wonderful experience. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson. Author's story of his fight to defend wrongly convicted prisoners on death row in our country's southern justice system. Appalling and alarming. If you're not familiar with how justice works in the south for minorities and the poor, you need to read this book. One reviewer calls this author, America's Mandela. This book is outstanding and a must read.

CURRENTLY READING: The Red Notebook, Antoine Laurain.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: My Real Children, Jo Walton.