Open Books Bookstore - Pensacola, FL

Open Books Bookstore, Pensacola, FL

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Regular followers of this blog know that my support and endorsement of independent bookstores is 100%.  They are an absolutely and necessary part of our fabric, our culture, and even more so during these turbulent times.  But this indie is critically important to so many people that cannot visit in person and many who will never visit here.  Most indies have some sort of a local social cause or organization that they support with donations.  Open Books, however, is a 100% non-profit used book store that supports all the prisoners in Florida state prisons or jails.  As store manager Johnny told me, prisoners are not allowed to receive books in the mail from just anyone.  They can only receive books by mail from bookstores or publishers.  Enter Open Books, founded in 2000 with the specific intent to provide books for incarcerated individuals.  Any prisoner who would like any books can receive them for free simply by mailing a written request to Open Books telling them what title he/she would like.  On the day of my visit the mail came with about two dozen letters from prisoners requesting books.  

The store is located in a residential area.  I thought this would be great for walk-in neighborhood customers but Johnny told me that most customers drive here.  This sometimes includes tourists and Spring breakers.  They do not have online book sales because they don’t have the staff for it.  

Open Books has at least 20+ volunteers.  Some work as sales staff in the store and others work as book packers.  Again, the store is 100% volunteer.  If you live in the Pensacola area consider joining their team.  You’ll be supporting a worthy cause and will be surrounded by books.  The bookstore acquires their books by donations only.  I know I’ve been in other indies with similar non-profit missions but I thought the principles and goals of the Open Books Prison Book Project were excellent.  Also watch for their $1 book sales held twice a year.  As Johnny told me, they have approximately 50,000 books and they need to clear inventory.  

In addition to Johnny, I got to meet volunteers Trey, who has been there 5 years and Brandon who was there for his first day.  All three were super to talk to and best of all, they and all the other volunteers are providing an essential service to a population in need.  Thank you for leading by example, Open Books.  Blessings to them all.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Sister Lumberjack, Candace Simar.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Not purchased but gifted,  Into The Beautiful North, Luis Alberto Urrea.  Thanks Trey and Johnny.  

The back of the store is very attractive.  

Front entrance.

An award-winning bookstore.  

Just inside the store find some of the bargain books available.  

Unique art by local artists, mounted on the front wall of the front room.  

Check out these numbers for 2024.  Well done Open Books.  

Below the checkout counter in the front room you'll find vintage editions for sale.  

Can't find the right book?  Consider a store t-shirt.  

This is the back wall in the front room.  In addition to the books, you'll see lots of creative artwork by talented local artists.  

Attractive display in the front room.  

Overview of one of the neat book rooms.  

You'll ALWAYS be able to find a bargain at this bookstore.  This is just some of the youth fiction available.  

This is the back room, used for storage and book packing.  

Another view of the back room.  

Trey showed me the day's mail which included MANY requests for books.  

Just a few of the antiquarian books offered, a great store for collectors.  

Twice a year you can stock up on books at $1 bargain prices.  

Looking into the side room, on the right of the main front room.  

One of the long book aisles in the side room.  Start browsing.  

If you're in Pensacola and looking for a volunteer opportunity, consider joining the great team at Open Books and contributing to a worthy cause.  

L-R:  Store manager Johnny, Trey, and Brandon.  Three of the fine volunteers I met at Open Books.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Bodacious Bookstore & Cafe - Pensacola, FL

Bodacious Bookstore & Cafe, Pensacola, FL

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As if you needed another reason to visit Pensacola!  This city is a tourist destination for R & R, surf, sun, beaches and more.  You can add one more thing to this list, Bodacious Bookstore & Cafe, located in the historic district of downtown Pensacola.  Bodacious Books has been in business for almost six years and I’m not surprised to hear that things are going great.  The store’s interior is spectacular and is a divided space of bookstore and cafe.  Each half of the store has its own exterior entrance but both sides of the store are easily accessible on the inside.  One of the most unique features of the store is the lighthouse entrance to the children's section.  This gives the store a very Florida coast-ish flavor along with a bit of whimsy for the kids.  Impressive. 

This gorgeous gem offers all new books and a wide variety of sidelines.  I thought there were many good Florida books and tourist guides which is perfect for visitors to the store.  Sidelines include stickers, reading glasses, greeting cards, puzzles, journals, and much more.  Like many other bookstores, they also offer unique works of art by talented local artists.  Additionally, you’ll find that the store has book clubs and for those who would like to order a book but can’t visit the store you can support Bodacious by ordering online through bookshop.org.  Of course, the cafe service is an important part of the business.  Grab a treat, a drink, and sample a book when you visit.  

There are many “Bodacious” shops and services in Pensacola.  The Bodacious Shops are a collection of unique shops that offer specialty items and memorable shopping experiences.  The owners of these places and the bookstore are all part of the Bodacious business plan.  I didn’t get to meet store manager Melissa on my visit but she sure left a great staff in charge.  Becca, Pearl, and Mikayla are three of the big reasons this bookstore is doing so well.  Friendly and knowledgeable are two of the best things a bookseller can have and these three are 5-star in every category.   

I bet many of you have been to Pensacola and didn’t even know about this super bookstore.  Now you do!  See if you can squeeze in a visit around your beach time and enjoy a wonderful bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  Into The Beautiful North, Luis Alberto Urrea.  Nayelli is just out of high school and lives in a small Mexican village in the middle of the country.  Along with her friends and her Aunt Irma, they notice that few men remain since they have all left for better jobs north of the border.  They decide they need to cross the border themselves and bring back Mexican soldiers and police to restore order to their small town and help return men to their village.  Adventure and hardship take them to Tijuana, San Diego, Las Vegas, and finally Kankakee, IL where Nayelli hopes to find her long absent father.  I like this author.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Sister Lumberjack, Candace Simar. 

  There are two entrances into the store.  This is the entrance into the bookstore side.  Enter through either entrance and browse freely back and forth inside the store. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Attractive display just to the right after entering.  

Recent popular release just steps inside the store.  

Some great nature books for the region. 

Left side of the store.  

Very comfortable seating area to relax and try a book.  

A great book for tourists visiting the area.  

Locally crafted unique earrings.  If you see it in a bookstore and like it, GET IT.  Items like these are difficult to find elsewhere.  

A portion of the fiction offered.  

I love this lighthouse.  It designates the entrance to the children's section.  Very cool.  

You can find lots of art supplies in the store.  

More assorted art supplies. 

Walking under the lighthouse into the children's area.  

Overview looking into the children's area.  Beautiful.  

Little chairs and a little desk for little readers.  

This is the ceiling in the children's area.  Impressive mural that really adds to the lighthouse theme.  

Cross section of the store looking from the bookstore side to the cafe side.  

Sidelines are numerous and can be found throughout the store.  

Quirky bookstore socks. 

Overview of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance on the bookstore side. 

Find these greeting cards on the cafe side of the space. 

Excellent variety of items about national parks. 

Overview of the cafe service counter. 

Just some of the art created by talented local artists. 

It's always fun to see what the book clubs are reading. 

There are a wide variety of tourist-friendly items. 

L-R: Becca, Pearl, and Mikayla, three of the fine staffers you'll meet at Bodacious Books & Cafe.  Thanks for a great visit.