I’ll Meet You There Bookstore & Cafe - Cedar Rapids, IA

I'll Meet You There Bookstore & Cafe, Cedar Rapids, IA

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I’ve driven by this new bookstore many times over the last four months and could hardly stand not stopping to go in.  From the outside it looked simply beautiful and now that I’ve visited I can confirm that the interior is not only nice it is stunning.  This is the first thing that hit me as I entered.  The decor, the organization, the shelves and displays, were all very attractive and if there are decorating awards for bookstores this place should get one.  The creativity for all this comes from owners and sisters Jaymie and Lindsay M. and you can tell that they put a lot of time and effort into this new Cedar Rapids bookstore and cafe.  Well done ladies.

There are two well-defined sides to this business, the bookstore and the cafe.  They each have their own exterior entrances but are easily accessible from the inside.  Both areas are roomy, spacious, and especially cozy.  This bookstore and cafe have many comfortable seating areas, something I always enjoy seeing.  And I don’t know how the owners could’ve picked a better location, right in the middle of the Main Street through historic Czech Village.  

I’ll Meet You There offers all new books and a very healthy assortment of sidelines.  There are gift ideas galore including stickers, candles, store merch, jewelry, and journals to name just a few.  Bookseller Sarah has done an impressive job with the blind date with a book promotion and her very creative wrapping.  Thanks to that these have sold very well.  She along with Avery were both wonderful to meet and visit with.  The store offers all genres but children’s books have sold especially well.  The children’s area also offers several interactive activities to keep them busy.  Consider checking out one of the three bookstore book clubs (best sellers, romance, and classics) to engage with like-minded readers.

The inspiration for this bookstore and cafe, thank you Mary Kay.  

Best of all, this indie is an acknowledgement and tribute to the owner’s mother, Mary Kay.  During her lifetime, Mary Kay was integral in the growth and success of Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village, a neighborhood she grew up in.  Her presence is felt today through her daughters Jaymie and Lindsay who have memorialized her spirit and heritage with this terrific new bookstore and cafe.  Call or message a friend to tell them I’ll meet you there.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Barn, Wright Thompson.  Narrative non-fiction that reveals the truth of the Emmett Till tragedy.  There is a reason that hate crimes like this are suppressed and the truth isn't always apparent.  This author did exhaustive research, including conversations with living key witnesses, and the history of Emmett Till's death is not what the white population of Mississippi would have you believe.  This book is also a stepping off point for the Civil Rights era and also explores the violent history of the Mississippi Delta region.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Firm, John Grisham.  

There are two exterior entrances.  This is the entrance into the cafe.  You can access both sides from inside the store.  

There are large display windows all the way across the front of the building allowing for lots of natural light.  

Looking into the store from the bookstore entrance.  

View looking to the right from the bookstore entrance.  

Directly to the left of the bookstore entrance check out just some of the store merch.  

Yes, you need a bookstore coffee mug.  

 

Unique jewelry for you or a friend, at the checkout counter.  

The stickers are hot here and these are just a few.  

Display of various sidelines.  

View looking into the cafe from the bookstore side.  

Attractive display of new releases.  

Two comfy chairs with a table for your coffee, on the bookstore side of the store.  

The store carries a wide assortment of interesting sidelines and gift ideas.  

A very cozy living room area toward the back of the store and near the children's area.  

Just a few of the journals available.  

Partial view of the children's area.  

 

This table provides lots of room for interactive activities for kids.  

Visual confirmation.  Remember, amazon doesn't have bathrooms.  

You don't have to look hard to find comfortable seating, a very impressive strength of the store.  

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

If you want to be halfway in the cafe on the left and bookstore on the right, this is your place.  

View looking into the cafe from the bookstore side.  

 

Stepping into the cafe from the bookstore and looking left toward its front entrance 

Looking into the cafe and toward the back.  

Attractive menu board.  

Get a quick and cold, grab and go.  

Great seats in the cafe area.  

Just outside the cafe enjoy your beverage in the nice weather.  

The perfect seat in the cafe for you, your book, and your coffee.  

Consider joining one of the three bookstore book clubs.  

I always enjoy seeing the ornate ceilings in historic buildings.  My picture doesn't do this justice.  

When I first started seeing bookstores with the "blind date with a book" promotions, they were wrapped in plain brown paper.  Many bookstores now push the the envelope of creativity and even include more than just the book.  Nice job Sarah.  

Close-up of a blind date book.  

Many bookstores have re-purposed books into creative works of art like this.  

With Lindsay, the fine co-owner at I'll Meet You There.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Nos Books - Des Moines, IA

Nos Books, Des Moines, IA 

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The Des Moines metropolitan area is a major urban center that for many years was lacking in independent bookstores.  Beaverdale Books was the only indie of note for approximately 15 years but since 2020 there’s been an explosion of new bookstores including Nos Books, located in the historic Dogtown district and adjacent to Drake University.  The bookstore occupies a space in an 1890s building that was originally a firehouse.  Nos is Spanish for “us,” and is a perfect fit in this multi-cultural community, home to many diverse ethnicities and businesses.  But Nos Books is MUCH more than a bi-lingual bookstore.

As owner Luis L. told me, yes, they do offer books in Spanish but he thinks of the bookstore as more of a multi-cultural store.  This makes perfect sense when you learn about the make-up of the community.  The store offers books by authors from around the world as well as books written by authors of under-represented communities, books not always easily found in other indies or chain bookstores.  When you meet Luis and hear about his background as a literature major, you’ll understand why the bookstore is so well curated.  Well done Luis.

The store offers all new books that can be purchased in-person (always the best way) or online.  Luis may transition the store business model by also offering used books sometime in the future.  I thought that the books in translation were especially good and since they’re showing growth in sales Luis plans to expand this genre.  They have a nice assortment of sidelines including greeting cards, candles, quirky socks, puzzles, candles, and stickers to name a few.  They have a great set-up to host events with the xBk Annex located next door and can offer beverages and snacks.  If you’re new to the neighborhood consider joining the store’s book club and enjoy the company of kindred spirits.  

As with most of my bookstore visits, meeting and talking with Luis was the best.  Personable, knowledgeable, and a darn nice person.  But you regulars already know this.  I enjoyed hearing about his beginnings as a pop-up bookstore at various festivals and then evolving into a brick and mortar.  Nos Books has only been in business a little over a year so the word is still getting out about this cute little bookstore.  Spread the word about this terrific new indie where a 5-star bookstore experience awaits your arrival.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:   The Traitors Circle, Jonathan Freedland.  Narrative non-fiction about a group of Germans in 1930s Berlin who defy the Nazis as best they can.  Until they are betrayed by one in the group. A gripping account of that era.  Highly recommended.    

The Boys In The Light, Nina Willner.  Another excellent narrative non-fiction from the WWII era.  A Norwegian boy from Minnesota, an Italian boy from Boston, and a German Jewish boy from northern Germany begin the war on separate journeys but their paths cross in the most unbelievable way.  This book will leave you wanting to know more about their remarkable lives, written by the daughter of the German Jewish boy.  Highly recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Barn, Wright Thompson.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Hummingbird’s Daughter, Luis Alberto Urrea. 

The bookstores' archway entrance was originally the entrance for the firehouse.  This is how the horses pulling the fire wagon entered and exited.  The stables were in back.  The little friend in the front is Rosey from around the corner. 😊

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Proceed to the shelves on the right side and let the browsing begin.  

Variety of bookstore candles offered at the checkout desk.  

Beautiful wall behind the checkout desk.  This wall will someday become an art gallery display.  Nos means "us" in English.  

Most bookstores agree.  

Drake University is very close to the bookstore.  

A few of the greeting cards and book totes available.  

Check-out counter and an assortment of unique book totes for all you'll be getting.  Luis's wife created some of these wonderful totes.  

Your souvenir shirt will look great with the tote over your shoulder.  

Partial view of the children's area, left side of the store toward the back.  

Display of various sidelines and books.  

Another partial view of the children's area and a couple of great places to sit and sample a book.  

Just a few of the unique and quirky socks offered.  

One of the store's book nooks, in the rear right side of the store.  

A few of the puzzles available.  

And we can use all the therapy we can get.  

The stickers are hot here and these are just some of them.  

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

ALWAYS, consider this when visiting any bookstore.  

Right next to the bookstore in the same building but with its own entrance, a perfect location and space for the bookstore events.  

With Luis on the right, the fine owner at Nos Books.  Thanks for a great visit.