Chester Creek Books - Duluth, MN

Chester Creek Books, Duluth, MN

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Used book stores are a completely different animal from new books bookstores.  Within that species of used book stores you’ll find a wide range of different models which for me makes them all enjoyable to visit.  But Chester Creek Books is a COMPLETELY different animal altogether, in a very appealing way.  This place is more like a museum that offers not only used books, but countless antiques, oddities, and art work making it a destination for anyone with various interests.  Even the historical building itself, originally a church built in 1948, is a fascinating structure to see.  The bookstore has been a solid presence in Duluth for over 20 years and current owner Tina W. has been here for about a year.  Its new signage helps to give it a visible presence located on the edge of downtown and on the very busy Superior St. through town.  Surprisingly, Tina shared with me that even though the business has been around 20+ years, she estimated that 7 out of 10 local visitors on weekends didn’t know about this bookstore.  Good gawd Duluth come on!  What do you say Tina?  “Chester Creek Bookstore, tell your friends!”

Plan to visit here when you can take your time and not be hurried.  You’ll be able to browse 40,000 - 100,000 books depending on which estimate you believe and you’ll see something different on every visit.  All genres are represented but the nature and animal books are especially good.  Enjoy exploring the many nooks and aisles throughout the sanctuary, similar to a maze.  Go to the church basement which is much larger than I thought and visit a room filled with children’s vintage books among other things.  Book collectors should definitely plan to visit here but if they can’t, you’ll find many of the collectible editions available online.  Tina acquires her inventory from estate collections and the local library book sales but also receives books from customers who donate theirs to the store.  Or they can receive store credit or cash in return for the books they bring in.  Sometimes customers bring books in and simply leave them in the entryway.  Looking for something vintage besides books?  Visit The Rainbow Room upstairs in the choir loft and you’ll find clothes and jewelry that many of us discarded long ago but are now in demand.  

I continue to encourage all readers to visit any indie and enjoy a terrific bookstore experience.  This is that place!  Book lovers and antique hunters will love discovering this fascinating store and when they do, it won’t be their last visit.  Congratulations Tina.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  My Ántonia, Willa Cather.  Prominent American female author in the mid-20th Century who writes fiction based on her experiences growing up in a pioneer family in Nebraska during the last 1800s.  The story follows Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda as children arriving in the Nebraska countryside and follows their adventures through life.  Excellent depiction of hard pioneer life in the late 19th century.  Recommended.   

CURRENTLY READING:  Miss Muriel and Other Stories, Ann Petry.  

 

 

This is the store entrance located behind the building.  There is also a small parking lot here.  

I just love this bookstore building, an old church built in 1948.  Beautiful.  Go behind the church to find the store entrance.  

Just inside the store entrance, consider supporting a community program with a purchase from this cart.  

I love this view looking into the store and what was once the sanctuary of a house of worship.  

New arrivals can be found throughout the store.  

Entering into the store and looking around to the left and up toward the altar.  

Example of some of the antiques available, these can be found on the altar.  

The sanctuary of the church/store is fun to explore with aisles like this, much like a maze.  

Cross view of the store just below the altar.  

Some of the children's books offered near the altar.  Many more can be found throughout the store, especially in the basement.  

The store has lots of vintage piano sheet music.  

Overview of the store looking from the altar toward the back and the choir loft upstairs, The Rainbow Room.  

If you know any Henry Clay fans or scholars, send them here.  

Guarding one of the bookshelves.  

Several of the book nooks feature comfortable seating.  You might find me here if I were close enough to be a regular.  

Harry Potter fans are covered.  

Another comfy place to sample a book.  

Something of interest for Alexander Hamilton fans.  

Many collectors will be interested in these drawers, found near the original church entrance.  

This would be your view if you were entering the front door of the church.  

Yes, there's more than the main floor.  

Looking into the basement after going down the steps and turning to the left.  

Enter the basement and turning right, an entire hallway of books to browse.  

If you know a beginning golfer, here are some clubs.  

A very cool and regional representation bookshelf in the basement.  

 

This room in the basement is packed with collectibles, mostly children related.  

Display of collectibles in the basement children's room.  

Yes, you'll need this.  

Looking at the entryway at the top of the stairs into The Rainbow Room.  

Some of the vintage jewelry offered in The Rainbow Room.  

Overview of The Rainbow Room, formerly the choir loft located upstairs.  

Looking down upon the bookstore that's now occupying the church sanctuary.  

If you're a regular, you should sign up for this.  

With Tina, the fine owner at Chester Creek Books.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Chapter Book Lounge - Noblesville, IN

Chapter Book Lounge, Noblesville, IN

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You know the old saying, you can’t judge a book by its cover?  You can throw that out the window when you visit Chapter Book Lounge in Noblesville.  The attractive exterior matches equally with the beautiful and charming interior.  The lovely interior with its many places to sit and lounge will make your visit a welcomed and comfortable escape to a pleasant experience.  Find a comfy seat; order a coffee or a wine, sample a book, and sit back to enjoy a moment of zen.

This new indie is not quite two years old and is situated perfectly on a downtown corner location, one block from the city square.  The store offers all new books (with a few used accepted as donations) neatly arranged throughout the store.  The impressive thing here are the numerous sidelines and other opportunities for the store’s business.  The income from the cafe is huge and their many ticketed events are a great way to generate revenue.  The in-store sidelines include a little bit of everything from stickers to water color painting books, reading glasses, adult coloring books, bookstore candles, store merch, and so much more.  They even offer fresh flower bouquets that brighten up the store until they’re picked up by a shopper.  Great idea.  You’ll easily be able to find a gift for your non-reader friend.

What about events?  Something for everyone including trivia night, an adult spelling bee, book clubs, author readings, and a summer storybook adventure camp, just to mention a few.  Or consider hosting your own event and reserving a space.

I didn’t get to meet co-owners Brooke and Jen on this visit, but boy did they leave the store in good hands.  Jenna was the perfect Chapter Book Lounge ambassador.  She’s the epitome of every bookseller I meet on this amazing journey.  Kind, welcoming, knowledgeable, and conversant making her ideally suited for a bookstore ambassador.  

If you’re in the Noblesville area and haven’t discovered this gem yet, get with it.  A terrific 3rd place is waiting for you and you won’t want to leave.  Congratulations Brooke and Jen.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Hummingbird’s Daughter, Luis Alberto Urrea.  Loosely based on the author’s ancestors, the story takes place in the late 1800s in Mexico.  Teresita is the illegitimate daughter of Don Tomas Urrea and as she grows into adolescence and adulthood, she becomes very tuned into nature and becomes spiritually mature and knowledgeable as a healer.  She begins to attract large crowds demanding her blessing, to the detriment of the ruling government.  Good historical fiction.  It took me awhile to get into this one, but it was worth it.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:   My Ántonia, Willa Cather.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Not purchased but gifted, The Secret History of Fantasy, editor Peter S. Beagle and my very own Chapter Book Lounge tote bag.  Thanks Brooke and Jen.   

A beautiful historic building with a corner location in downtown Noblesville.  

 

On the side of the building you'll find a lovely patio seating area.  

Attractive storefront and lots of display window space.  

Storefront window promoting the Indiana Peony Festival.  As Jen shared with me, this is the Super Bowl of festivals and is a great boost for many small and independent businesses.  Beautiful artwork.  

  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Looking to the left from the front entrance.  

Looking to the right from the front entrance.  

Check out this beautiful archway at the entrance created with books and flowers.  It was constructed for a wedding held in the bookstore and is now here for all to enjoy.  

Attractive display of sidelines.  

Before the Peony Festival...

After the Peony Festival.  

What a comfortable setting for books, coffee, and leisure.  

When I began my journey, this promotion was only seen in a few bookstores.  Now, I see it almost everywhere.  

Are adult coloring books making a comeback?  They are here!

Just a few of the fiction offerings.  

In-action photo of Indie Bob in front of another perfect and comfortable setting.  

There are many super places to sit and enjoy.  This is just inside the front entrance.  

Overview of the children's area.  

Wonderful setting in the center of the store.  

Find this area to browse the used books.  

An overview of the lounge/cafe area in the back of the store.  

This variety of sidelines can be found toward the back of the store.  

Since I lose or break reading glasses, this is a welcome SIGHT!  (Heh heh, just humor me people)

This is a red hat I could gladly wear.  

Wondering what an avid reader smells like?  Get this candle.

Another angle of the lounge/cafe area.  

 

A few of the non-drink items.  

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

Unique and creative gift bags.  

A worthy social cause.  Many indies have terrific social outreach in their communities.  

A few of the greeting cards available right by the checkout counter.  

With Jenna, one of the fine booksellers at Chapter Book Lounge.  Thanks for a great visit.