Wandering Raccoon Books - Grimes, IA

Wandering Raccoon Books, Grimes, IA

(Like The Indie Bob Spot on Facebook and follow The Indie Bob Spot on X)

 

When I began this journey 10+ years ago the Des Moines metropolitan area was a bookstore desert for indies.  There were two or three serving a heavily populated area deserving of more.  Since then, this region has seen a healthy growth of newly opened indies including this one in Grimes, just outside of Des Moines.  When owner Jena B. was looking for a location for her store she landed on Grimes as the one, a Des Moines area town without an indie.  In fact, Jena’s not sure Grimes has ever had a bookstore.  Wandering Raccoon Books has only been open for about 10 months and joins the growing community of independent bookstores in this area.  Well done, Jena, and welcome to the club.

Two years before opening the brick and mortar, Wandering Raccoon began as an online and pop-up store, “wandering” throughout the “Raccoon” river region of central Iowa.  A very creative bookstore name.  The store is located in the Brookridge Plaza on the western side of Grimes.  It is situated ideally close to two Grimes schools, an outstanding location.  Wandering Raccoon offers all new books including many by local authors on consignment.  They also enjoy brisk online sales and have sold and shipped books throughout the country in all but 8 states.  This indie also sells some sidelines by consignment including artistic stained glass, bracelets, and granola to name a few.  You’ll also find numerous stickers, birthday greeting cards, book covers, and book marks.  The store doesn’t offer a regular story time yet (readers wanted!) but may do so in the future.  Since my visit came a few days after Independent Bookstore Day, Jena was somewhat apologetic because of her depleted inventory.  Way to go Grimes!

As with many new indies I visit, the word is still getting out about this terrific new bookstore.  If you’re in the Des Moines metro area and haven’t visited Wandering Raccoon yet, step it up.  Pay this indie a visit and enjoy a wonderful bookstore experience and meet its friendly and conversant owner.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

 

 CURRENTLY READING:  The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Christy Lefteri.  

 

JUST FINISHED:  The Wager, David Grann.  The unbelieveable story of the British warship, Wager, its mission, and perilous journey around the turbulent waters of Cape Horn and ultimate shipwreck.  How did the men survive hunger, deadly weather, and eventually sail back to England?  Was there any blame assigned to the catastrophe?  Narrative non-fiction at its best by the author of Killers Of The Flower Moon.  Recommended. 

 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Stephen Graham Jones.  

Visit this bookstore in the Brookbridge Plaza. 

Looking into the bookstore from the front entrance. 

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  Jena wasn't able to remove those white pipes when she took over this space but creatively made them look like they fit the bookstore perfectly. 

View looking to the right from the front entrance. 

An Iowa-centric table display near the front of the store. 

A few of the birthday cards offered. 

A cross section view of the beautiful interior near the front of the store. 

In Iowa, you can't throw a basketball without hitting a Caitlin Clark fan.  Here's the perfect gift for a little reader. 

Uniquely crafted book and e-reader sleeves. 

Attractive table display of popular releases. 

A very attractive and relaxing setting in the front of the store. 

A beautiful, donated piece for the Raccoon readers. 

Browse this area in the far rear of the store. 

The inventory includes numerous banned books for sale. 

Check out this fresh granola offered near the checkout counter. 

If you know any Manga fans, send them to this store. 

Looking into the children's area and playroom in the back of the store. 

Right outside the children's room find a nice assortment of children's books. 

Unique bookmarks. 

Another great place to sit and sample a book. 

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

Raccoons of all shapes, sizes, and themes can be found throughout the store thanks to well-meaning friends and customers. 

Unique bracelets created by a local artisan.  If you see it in a bookstore and you like it, GET IT!  It will be hard to find anywhere else. 

If you're on a budget, find this shelf on the left side of the store. 

Visual confirmation AND raccoon wallpaper.  Bookstore owners are some of the most creative people anywhere. 

With Jena, the fine owner at Wandering Raccoon Books.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Sundog Books - Seaside, FL

Sundog Books, Seaside, FL

(Like The Indie Bob Spot on Facebook and follow The Indie Bob Spot on X)

I don’t think there’s an indie owner anywhere that wouldn’t trade places with owner Linda W. at Sundog Books.  This bookstore is blessed with many advantages that other indies just don’t have.  This is why they’ve enjoyed an almost 40 year run in the bookstore business.  As Linda told me, location, location, location.  Situated perfectly in the downtown circle surrounded by multiple small businesses and many food wagons.  The store is also just a stone’s throw from the beach so you can get your beach read and be back on tour towel in less than 5 minutes.  Best of all, the store and city circle are packed with tourists.  Granted, I visited during Spring break but there have been few bookstores I’ve visited that have been as busy as Sundog.  A constant stream of customers filing into an already packed store the entire 90 minutes of my visit.  Ironically, many of the locals will order their Sundog books online, always an option if you can’t visit in person.  The final check mark for the location is the perfect weather, sunny skies, and gulf breezes.  This puts EVERYONE in a good book-buying mood. 

Sundog offers all new books and a wide variety of sidelines in a medium-sized crowded space.  Part of that crowdedness though is because of the customers of all ages and from all over the country.  This just helps contribute to the vibrancy of a healthy bookstore.  I thought the books and sidelines offered for tourists was especially good.  In addition to puzzles, stickers, greeting cards, and journals, the store merch offered was outstanding with much to choose from.  Hats, hoodies, t-shtirs, sweatshirts in all sizes and colors and mugs all make for great items for tourists.  

My only disappointment was that I didn’t get here a few years ago to meet the store’s co-owner, Bob, who founded the store with his wife Linda.  Bob is gone but his staff pick recommendations remain and I can tell we would’ve had a really good chat.  I can also tell after talking to Linda and Kennedy, a bookseller, that Bob’s presence continues to be felt on the staff at Sundog, a legacy that all in Seaside can take comfort in.  

Readers, this is your place.  Follow the Florida panhandle coast and eventually it will lead you to Seaside and Sundog Books.  Discover this legendary and successful bookstore deserving of national attention.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Sister Lumberjack, Candace Simar.  Historical fiction that follows a handful of characters in the logging camps of northern Minnesota in the late 1800s.  Challenges of severe winter weather, hunger, fighting and drunkenness, and devastating injuries.  Sister “Lumberjack” is a nun from Duluth who is trying to help the lumberjacks with an option for medical care if needed and raising money for an orphanage.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Wager, David Grann.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Memorial Days, Geraldine Brooks.  George: A Magpie Memoir, Freida Hughes.  Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, Grady Hendrix.  Two Sundog t-shirts.  Not purchased but gifted, The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Christy Lefteri.  Thank you Linda and Kennedy.  

Up the steps and into the store.  

Tropical view looking away from the store before entering. 

Sidelines and store merch available on the front porch.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Looking directly to the left from the front entrance.  

Looking to the right just inside the store.  

Variety of greeting cards inside the front door.  

Stroll over to the right side of the store and enjoy this view.  

Sundog offers a wide assortment of greeting cards.  Perfect for tourists on vacation.  

Attractive table display near the front of the store.  

Left side of the store looking over the checkout counter and toward the back. 

These make perfect tourist souvenirs.  

An assortment of Penguin's classics.  

If you forgot to pack your reading glasses for your vacation they've got you covered.  

Lots of books of interest for tourists.  

Overview of the children's area.  

Looking into the back hallway at the very rear of the store.  You'll find lots of store merch in this area.  

Get a Sundog t-shirt like this.  

 

They have lots of store merch to choose from in the back hallway.  

Don't leave Seaside without a Sundog mug.  

View looking from the back hallway toward the front of the store.  

Get a Sundog hat to go with your t-shirt.  The store's variety of Sundog merchandise is outstanding.  

Spring breakers can find their school tumbler here.  

A cross-section view of the store.  

Be sure to check out the staff favorites, front of the store on the right side.  

Many bookstores post thought-provoking quotes throughout their stores.  

Words of wisdom for our current times.  

With Kennedy, one of the fine booksellers at Sundog Books.  Thanks for a great visit.