Smith & Hannon Bookstore - Cincinnati, OH

Smith & Hannon Bookstore, Cincinnati, OH

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For me, the third time's the charm to visit Smith & Hannon Books in Cincinnati.  I don't know if there's another bookstore I tried to get to any harder than this one.  I found out about this store when I was in Cincinnati on a previous tour at The Booksellers On Fountain Square.  Emily told me I have to go to Smith & Hannon and meet Joyce, the owner.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any of my Indie Bob stuff with me so all I did was run into the store, meet Joyce, and said don't go anywhere I'm coming back.  The 2nd time I tried was after leaving Gramercy Books in Bexley, OH.  On the way to Smith & Hannon the Indie Bob Spot car had a flat tire, on a busy interstate, and the lug wrench didn't fit the lug nuts.  Strike two.  But now I can proudly say, mission accomplished.  I had the Indie Bob Spot stuff and there was no car trouble.  And thankfully, it was well worth the wait to see this bookstore and meet (again) the fine people who work there.   

I think indie owners around the country would be extremely envious of this store's location.  Downtown Cincinnati, right between the Bengal's football stadium and the Red's baseball stadium, attached to a prominent African-Amercian museum, and a destination for tourists and tour buses weekly.  This is a fabulous customer base to work with and there are also many regular customers that visit the store.  Smith & Hannon is uniquely located as part of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center museum, yet it is an entirely separate and independent business.  This is like no bookstore I've visited.  It is African-Amercian owned and a natural fit for the museum.  It has been here a year and a half but before moving here, the bookstore was in the Bond Hill neighborhood where it had been for 13 years.  

The store offers an extensive inventory of African-American literature as well as some general fiction.  They have new and used books and also some vintage and collectable books that book collectors should check out.  There are African-Amercian items, museum souvenirs, CDs and DVDs, and much more.  Joyce told me she might start offering music on vinyl as well.

Even though this bookstore has a unique situation, there's nothing unique about the people who work here.  It's a two-person operation with Joyce and her one staffer, Carole.  These two ladies are as nice as everyone else I meet along my journey and you will have a wonderful time meeting them and enjoying a book inventory that you won't see at all the other bookstores. Inform yourselves, America!  Visit this great bookstore attached to an important historical museum and landmark.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  His Bloody Project, Graeme Macrae Burnet.  Based on the true story of one of Scotland's most renowned crimes that took place in 1869 in the Highlands of the country.  A small village elects a constable who turns out to bully the accused murderer and his family.  The murderer is the 17-year old son of a man who has been intimidated and harassed.  There's no question as to the murderer but MANY other questions need to be answered.  Includes original documents.  I thought this book was outstanding.  Highly recommended.     

CURRENTLY READING:  Juniper: The Girl Who Was Born Too Soon, Kelley and Thomas French.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Not purchased but gifted.  A Freedom Center t-shrit.  Thanks Joyce.  

Enter the bookstore through the museum entrance.  There is a fee for touring the museum but it doesn't cost a thing to visit the bookstore.  

This is the inside entrance to the bookstore.  

Beautiful view looking into the bookstore and to the right.  

View looking into the bookstore and toward the left.  

Just a few of the ethnic items you'll see here.  

There are a variety of jewelry items here and there is something for every budget.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

Look for this shelf for some great bargains.  

The store also has vintage and collectable books available.  If you're looking for something and don't see it, ask.  They might have it.  

Display of books by Cincinnati authors.  

 A good assortment of DVDs.  

Looking back through the store from the check-out counter.  

Display of relevant books.  

Look in this display case for higher end jewelry.  

Great places to sit and try out a book.  

Looking back through the bookstore.  The lighting here is very attractive.  

A nice display of new arrivals.  

With Joyce on the left and Carole on the right, two of the fine people you'll meet at the Smith & Hannon Bookstore.  Thanks for a great visit.