Magic City Books - Tulsa, OK

Magic City Books, Tulsa, OK

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This is a new bookstore and it is positioned perfectly for big things and a bright future.  Magic City Books is located in the arts district of downtown Tulsa.  The area is on the brink of additional residential, retail, and a brand new Holiday Inn Express being built diagonally from the store's corner location.  Everything is lining up wonderfully for a long, successful run.  This store seems to have everything going for it and it has only been open for a few months, since November 2017.  I'm happy to say that this is a trend, these newly opened bookstores.  And when they opened this one, they definitely did it right.

The store is a one-level space offering all new books and a few sidelines.  You'll be struck by the store's attractive interior when you enter and the brightness of the space with all of its large windows allowing lots of natural light.  Everything about this store is attractive from its beautiful light fixtures and ceiling to its neatly arranged shelving and table displays.  I thought its in-store events space in the back of the store was one of the nicest I've seen.  Beautiful in every way, congrats to the design team.  They also have a nice cafe and a seating area right in the front of the store.  Order your coffee, beer, wine, and pastry on the left and then have a seat on the right.

All indies I visit have a component of community involvement but this store lives that component.  The store is a non-profit backed by the Tulsa Literary Coalition that funds a myriad of social causes in the community but especially supports literacy programs.  Everything purchased goes back to that organization, a great cause.  If you want to use the meeting space, the rent you pay goes back to the Tulsa Literary Coalition.  Coffee, books, reading glasses, magazines and even the $1 gift wrapping charge all go to a great cause.

Unlike other bookstore visits, there wasn't a true owner for me to meet.  So I met Kari B., one of the staffers, and her enthusiasm about the store and its cause were obvious.  I'm pretty sure everyone that works here has that same spirit since Kari told me they were overwhelmed with applications when the store opened.

This place is a keeper.  Since it's a newbie it's still waiting for more of you to discover it.  So hop to it, Tulsa.  You're going to have a great time AND support a worthy cause.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Black Elk Speaks, John G. Neihardt.  If you're into Native American history and spirituality, this is a must read.  First published in 1932, the author visited the holy man of the Oglala Lakota Sioux and documented all that he told him about his life, his visions, and his people's ways.  This is a documented religious classic of a culture.  It's the kind of book that needs to be read more than once to absorb all that it reveals.  Recommended.    

CURRENLTY READING:  One Of The Lucky Ones, Brenda Hancock.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  We Were The Lucky Ones, Georgia Hunter.  A Magic City Books t-shirt.

A great front window with a great quote.  Notice also the ramp sloping up from right to left toward the front entrance allowing easy access to people with disabilities.  

The store has lots of window space for display and this allows the interior to be very bright and cheery.  

Once you go through these doors, don't plan on leaving for awhile.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  Alert readers may recognize the celebrity checking out a book.  Yes, that's my mom.  

View looking to the right from the front entrance.  This is a beautiful seating area.  Also, again notice all the window space.  

Looking to the left from the front entrance.  This is where you'll order a drink and a pastry.  

Just to the right of the cafe counter are these attractive displays.  

Beer connoisseurs will want to consider one of these.  

A better look at the staff picks display right by the cafe counter.  

Lots of magazines available.  

Lots of Magic City swag sidelines available behind the check-out counter.  

All of the table displays are neatly organized.  

This aisle is a portion of the children's section, a section that is doing very well for the store.  

One of the book nooks.  

Have you ever read any P. G. Wodehouse?  An early 20th century British author and you can get a compiled set here.  

 Check out the YA books in the rear left of the store.  

Or go to the rear right of the store for home and garden or cookbooks.  

View looking into the store's events space.  This is a beautiful room.  

Another view of the events room.  

Bring your bookclub to the store.  

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

A picture showing the width of the store.  

I think the light fixtures and ceiling are terrific.  Scroll back up this article for better looks in other pictures.  

With Kari, one of the fine booksellers you'll meet at Magic City Books.  Thanks for a great visit.