Thimbleberry Books - Marshfield, WI

Thimbleberry Books, Marshfield, WI

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Thimbleberry Books is located on a busy downtown street surrounded by many small businesses, in a building that dates back to the 1880s.  Whatever follows in this blurb won’t adequately convey the warmth, comfort, and serenity of this outstanding used book store and its owner.  Thimbleberry is an award-winning business that has been persevering forward for almost 30 years, 20 of those in its current location.  This is exactly the kind of longevity and success that more people outside of Marshfield need to hear about and discover. 

Kim H. is the owner here and meeting and talking to her about her business, books, and her life was an absolute delight.  I was greeted enthusiastically when I entered by her two literary associates, Louis and Delia (some bookstores call them cats! Ask Kim how they got their names).  Shortly after entering you’ll come to a cozy living room set-up with comfy seats and a fireplace that is really a benefit during the winter.  As Kim said, some people come in just to warm-up around the fireplace.  Since Thimbleberry doesn’t offer any sidelines, you’ll be able to focus on the browsing inside a space with 40,000 books.  The fact that Thimbleberry has sustained for almost 30 years is even more impressive given the fact of no sidelines.  Way to go, Kim.

Getting good pictures of bookstore cats is always a challenge but Louis was a willing subject.  Delia, not so much. 

Even though the store doesn’t carry new books, they can order any new books you request, a great customer service.  The store doesn’t offer online ordering so you’ll need to visit in-person.  Customers who bring in books can receive store credit in return.  Keep in mind though that Kim has to be picky with what she takes due to space and what sells.  

I especially like the store’s unique name, Thimbleberry.  I’d never heard of this but this is an actually edible berry.  The original owner liked the word (not sure about the berry?) so she went with it.  I challenge you to find another indie with the same name!

If you’re anywhere near Marshfield or traveling through, Thimbleberry Books should be on your list of places to see.  Bookstore enthusiasts and book lovers will NOT go away disappointed after their experience here.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride.  Lots of tributary side plots that empty into a main river plot about a deaf and orphaned Black boy who needs help and gets it from the kind Jewish lady at the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.  A clash of cultures of Black, White, and Jewish 1939 Pottstown, PA.  Difficult book to summarize in a few sentences.  For me, the best book by this author is The Color of Water. 

CURRENTLY READING:  What She Left Behind, Ellen Marie Wiseman. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  What She Left. Behind, Ellen Marie Wiseman.  Cavedweller, Dorothy Allison.  The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride.  

 

Thimbleberry storefront in a historical building. 

What an incredible piece of artistry in front of the store. 

The rules for bringing in books. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Louis on patrol, strolling through the store and maintaining order. 

View looking to the left from the front entrance. 

Super customer service. 

Find out what the book clubs are reading.  Louis is watching to see what I pick out. 

Overview of the right side of the store. 

An award-winning business. 

This is the left side of the store, front half. 

Pricing guide. 

I love this seating area in the middle of the front room.  A perfectly comfy area to sample a book. 

If the middle of the front room seating area is full, find these seats. 

I'm not sure I've been to a bookstore that offers a helpful guide to the little free libraries.  This guide would be a great idea for any community. 

Get the Cliff Notes here. 

This is the aisle you'll come to halfway through the store that will take you on to the back. 

A few of the various crafting books. 

Who's ready to tackle Treasure Island? 

Partial view of the children's area. 

Another angle of the children's area. 

Continuing to the back of the store. 

Partial overview of the back room. 

Some great places to sit in the back of the store if you need a break from browsing. 

One of the many book aisles in the back of the store. 

Visual confirmation.  Louis was keeping an eye on me throughout my visit. 

Thankfully, Louis is able to take his mandatory break conveniently located behind the checkout counter. 

Overview of the store looking toward the front entrance. 

With Kim, the fine owner at Thimbleberry Books.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Sojourn Booksellers - Stevens Point, WI

Sojourn Booksellers, Stevens Point, WI

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When you enter Sojourn Booksellers you will be leaving the streets of Stevens Point behind and SOJOURNING into a new dimension.  A dimension that will take you back in time to a space in an 1880s building that features an old-school brown wooden floor, the original tin-plate ceiling, and long ago tales from a tailor shop.  You may hear the clinking of glasses from the back room that come from the Daisy Lounge.  The soft classical music playing in the background pairs nicely with the dark brown bookshelves and when you’re not browsing the books you can enjoy the stuffed wildlife positioned around the store as well as other artifacts and framed pictures.  It was the best feeling of a bookstore and a museum, maybe a bit atypical for Wisconsin, but very comfortable.  Owner Kristin C. even said that a customer told her it reminded him of being in New York City.  Bottom line?  An absolutely fabulous experience that will never be duplicated by clicking a button online.  

Sojourn Booksellers carries all new books along with a few sidelines.  I thought the inventory of books was excellent and I think Kristin has done an outstanding job of curating the selections.  She is able to offer more titles in the smallish space by rarely having more than two or three of any specific book on hand.  Additionally, the genre signs indicating the book locations are unique and quite attractive, very complementary with the store’s interior.  The store has only been open for a year and a half and doesn’t offer online book sales but this may be something Kristin considers in the future.  There is a beautiful outdoor patio behind the store, the perfect location for their Silent Book Club.  This is a one-hour event where you bring your book and read, a gathering of kindred spirits.  Enhance the event further by enjoying a drink from the Daisy Lounge as you read.  

Sojourn Booksellers is a part of Guild Designs, a collection of five businesses located in this historic building in downtown Stevens Point.  A great set-up and excellent way for all five to support each other and share customers.  If you’re in Stevens Point take a sojourn into Sojourn Booksellers and enjoy this terrific new bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Devil In The White City, Erik Larson.  Mean Spirit, Linda Hogan. 

The historic building that is home to Sojourn Booksellers.  The 2nd floor is the home of the Daisy Lounge.  There is an entrance on the left that will take you straight upstairs to the Daisy Lounge. 

Attractive display windows. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

These are the attractive bookshelves on the right side of the store.  Excellent woodwork and designs and artistic lighting. 

A nice area to sit and try out a book in the front of the store. 

One of the several mounted wildlife items. 

On the left side of the store you'll find stationery items provided by Centralia Stationery Co, part of Guild Designs.  

Just a few of the items of local and regional interest. 

Partial seating area in the upstairs Daisy Lounge. 

Other bookstores host Silent Book Club events, a great idea. 

This is what helps give the bookstore the museum-like feel. 

A very cute little reading nook. 

It is my understanding that there are no feral pigs in Wisconsin.  Except for this one. 

Winter's coming Wisconsin, stock up on puzzles AND books. 

Back half of the store on the right side.  Notice the signs designating genre locations.  Very nice. 

A close-up of the unique and attractive genre signs. 

Look for this red cart for some super deals. 

Partial overview of the children's area. 

An antiquity from long ago. 

This is behind the back of the store that leads to a very nice outdoor patio area. 

Overview of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance. 

With Kristin, the fine owner at Soujourn Booksellers.  Thanks for a great visit.