The Indie Bob Spot: Ellen Plumb's City Bookstore

Ellen Plumb's City Bookstore, Emporia, KS

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It didn't dawn on me until I was outside this bookstore that I was in the Land of Oz. Since The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies (this is the 80th anniversary of the movie) and visiting bookstores is one of my favorite things to do this visit was rapidly vaulting me over the rainbow. I can happily say that I wasn't disappointed. Best of all, this journey began by following the Yellow Brick Road (if only there had been some munchkins here to tell me what to do!).

One of my favorite bookstore entrances, follow The Yellow Brick Road.

Marcia L.'s journey to Emporia and ownership of Ellen Plumb's City Bookstore began about 2 1/2 years ago when circumstances forced her to move back to Emporia. Her vision was retirement and travel. But a funny thing happened on the way to Oz. The moment she bought her house (as she said, the ink wasn't even dry on the papers!), the town bookstore closed forcing her to change plans and open a new independent bookstore, named in honor of the woman who first opened a bookstore in Emporia back in 1870, Ellen Plumb. Marcia's backgrounds are in writing, editing, business, marketing, finance, and a degree in English, (to name just a few) make her well-suited to set the example as a shining local independent business.

Ellen Plumb is a medium-sized, one-level space in downtown Emporia, a great location. They offer all new books and a few vintage editions and are considering offering used books. Recently, they've begun offering books for purchase online. There are a few sidelines available including quirky socks, jigsaw puzzles, and locally created greeting cards. As Marcia told me, the store is in the 3rd poorest county in Kansas so she has to be careful about sidelines and pricing. The store has a very engaged events schedule and a perfect space for them in the back of the store. There are several book clubs active here and Marcia enjoys a good relationship with some of the schools as well as the community at-large. She has the talent, the knowledge, and an undeniable energy that tells me if anyone can pull this off in Emporia, she can. Congrats Marcia.

This place, in the Land of Oz, is special. It's still new enough that not everyone here knows about it yet. The winter weather is behind us meaning its time to get out, explore. In Emporia, follow the Yellow Brick Road to Ellen Plumb's City Bookstore. Support a local business that in turn supports the local schools, little league, the girl scouts and all things necessary for a vibrant community. Something your online purchase won't do. Buy local, shop local. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: I'll Be Gone In The Dark, Michelle McNamara. True crime story of the author's obsessive search for the Golden State Killer. Multiple rapes and murders committed over many years and yet the suspect remained at large. Adding to the intrigue was the author's unexpected death before completion of the book, leaving the remainder of the work to be finished by her co-researchers. If true crime is a genre you find fascinating, you might give this one a try.

Why Don't You Write My Eulogy Now So I Can Correct It?, Patricia Marx & Roz Chast. Patricia Marx provides the insights to her quirky mother who doles out her witty advice and Roz Chast provides the artwork. I absolutely love anything Roz Chast does. Her goofy-art work really makes all her characters humorous. For Roz Chast, check out, Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? This book is outstanding.

CURRENTLY READING: The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Finding Dorothy, Elizabeth Letts. I Need A New Butt!, Dawn McMillan, Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird.

Really, this is a great display window but my photo-taking skills can't fight glare.

Great sidewalk sign.

Bargain shopping for a good cause before you even enter the store. This is so indie.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.

As with every other indie!

Attractive table display of bargains.

Coming attractions.

Seems logical to me.

This is the Espresso Book Machine. If you have a book you want to publish but aren't James Patterson, talk to the people at Ellen Plumb. This machine will allow you to self-publish your book. I've seen this in a few other indies and I think it's a terrific opportunity.

Display of best sellers and display of books by a guest curator. I haven't seen this before and I think it's a great idea.

Lots of store events.

Shortly after entering, you'll see this display with all covers facing outward.

A few of the sidelines available.

Take a break from browsing and enjoy some chess.

Support the bookstore AND have something to put all your books in.

The store recently began offering jigsaw puzzles, something that has been successful at other indies.

Just a few of the items of local and regional interest.

Find out what the book clubs are reading.

This looks like a really comfy place to test drive a book.

I love these fold-out step stools to help short people to the higher shelves.

Partial view of the children's section.

This picture and the one following are part of a poster board display done for a school project by 3rd graders. There were two of these in the store and I thought they were fantastic and very informative about Ellen Plumb and her original bookstore. Nice job, kids.