Gathering Volumes - Perrysburg, OH

Gathering Volumes, Perrysburg, OH

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How does a person with a background in IT, with a solid job and a good salary, and no bookstore experience, end up owning a bookstore?  A person with a life-long love of reading and a desire to follow her passion.  Denise, along with husband Brian, own Gathering Volumes in Perrysburg, OH and her passion crossed paths with mine, sorta.  My journey and inspiration began by visiting every bookstore featured in My Bookstore, by Ron Rice.  Denise's inspiration began after visiting one of those featured indies, McLean & Eakins in Petoskey, MI.  After lots of help from numerous bookstore owners (a familiar story), Gathering Volumes launched two years ago and the rest is history, so far so good.

Part of the key to success for Gathering Volumes is this is pretty much the only indie in northwest Ohio.  The store has a good group of regular AND grateful customers, many who drive here from nearby communities like Bowling Green.  The other key is the numerous things that Denise does to bring people into the store.  On the day of my visit, she was hosting a group of kids for an electricity class.  There is also a class in potions, which is very popular.  The store hosts birthday parties and one of my favorite things that Denise does is create a "registry" of books the birthday boy/girl wants and when parents of guest children invited to the party ask what to get, they can check this.  There are also multiple book clubs and author events featuring local and Ohio authors.  The store has also done a book fair at the local Montessori school, a great target audience for books.

The store offers a fine inventory of new and used books and Denise has really zeroed in on the genres her customers prefer.  She is going to be adding more bookshelves soon to display more used inventory.  If you can't make it into the store, visit the Gathering Volumes website and shop there for new or used books.  The one-level store offers a variety of sidelines and the puzzles are really starting to sell well.

Denise was wonderful to meet and an absolute wealth of knowledge about books and bookstores.  She is EXACTLY the reason you need to visit an independent bookstore, especially Gathering Volumes in Perrysburg.  You'll have the kind of terrific experience you can't get online.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  Florida, Lauren Groff.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Black Mad Wheel, Josh Malerman.  The Rules Of Half, Jenna Patrick.

One of the window displays.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  Veteran readers may recognize the celebrity in the foreground.  Yes, that's my mom.  

It's Waldo season in many independent bookstores including Gathering Volumes.  Get to the store and find Waldo!

I think this is a great promotion.  

The book and movie bundle display.

Display of some of the books recognized in The Great American Read.  

A few of the books of local interest by local authors.  

Many indies carry originally crafted items by local artisans.  I thought these necklaces were not only unique but great.  

Look around the walls of the store and you'll see some super art work for sale by local artists.

The long wall of books.  

This store features book recommendation shelf-talkers by kids, a great idea.  

There's lots to "gather" in on this chalk board behind the check out counter.  

Locally produced coffee sold here.  

Find this table if you're on a budget.  

Find this table if you want signed copies.  

Neat display of new releases.  

You can find locally created art work all around the store.  

If you're a Brown's fan and don't know who this is, you need this book.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

A great place to sit and try a book.  This picture will soon be outdated because Denise will be adding some bookshelves on this wall.  

This was the site of the electricity class when I arrived.  

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

A couple of little seats for a couple of little readers.  This store does a great job of catering to children.  

With Denise, the fine owner at Gathering Volumes.  Thanks for a great visit.