Second Flight Books - Lafayette, IN

Second Flight Books, Lafayette, IN

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Readers, I hope you don't get tired of me reporting the good news I continue to find in indie land.  The only thing you're going to find in this entry is good news for Second Flight Books.  The good news of a new bookstore (only 2 1/2 years old) off to a successful start.  As co-owner Laura K. told me, the store continues to show steady growth and is definitely sustaining.  The success is thanks to their many regular customers, a beautiful space that allows very comfortable browsing, and of course the nice people who work here.  And that's just for starters.  As far as I can tell, they check all the boxes necessary for a successful bookstore.

This attractive indie offers new and used books and they are arranged in such a way that allows good room for browsing.  Some indies just don't have the space for this.  Customers will receive store credit for the books they bring in.  They have a good variety of sidelines including greeting cards, socks, t-shirts, buttons, and a line of items from The Unemployed Philosophers Guild.  Laura told me that same thing that I hear in other indies, the socks sell very well.  The store supports several book clubs and hosts frequent events including book launches by professors from nearby Purdue University.  Second Flight has a favorable location in The Alley of Market Square, surrounded by other small businesses and lots of close and free parking.

Now, you might be saying to yourself, "Indie Bob, I really like the sound of this place and the pictures make it look dreamy.  But I live out in the middle of Kansas, I can't get to Lafayette.  How can I support this bookstore?"  I'm glad you asked, caller.  Whether you're in Kansas, Kentucky, or Alaska, you can order from their inventory on their website.  Something many other indies offer as well.    

Unfortunately, there's a trade-off with the online order thingy.  You won't get to meet Laura or any of her fine staff.  You need to make this happen because Laura is another one of many that give independent bookstores their fine name.  

If you're in Lafayette, give this place a look.  You'll have a great bookstore experience and I'm pretty sure it won't be your last visit.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Cost Of These Dreams, Wright Thompson.  Collection of stories about famous athletes and events and the price of fame.  Includes stories about Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Dan Gable, Ted Williams, Bear Bryant's "fixer", and the 1962 undefeated Ole Miss football team, the same year the university was integrated by James Meredith.  This book won't be for everybody but I enjoyed it.  Even if you think you know everything about these people, these stories take a different angle.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  A Woman Of No Importance, Sonia Purnell.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Beartown, Fredrik Backman.

You can easily see into the store through this display window.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

A great place to try out a couple of books.  

Looking to the left from the front entrance.  

A few of the sidelines available including some of the greeting cards.  

I think this is beneficial for book browsing.  

How much do Lafayette kids like this bookstore?  These are the best!

Yes, yes, and yes, at every single independent bookstore.  

Nice display of new releases.  

One of the store book aisles.  

A nice line of sidelines.  

A designated section for large print, very helpful for readers who are vision impaired.  

You only find t-shirts like these in a bookstore.  

Find out what the book club will be reading.  

Socks are big in every bookstore I visit.  

Staff recommendations.  

The store is long and medium width, but in the middle it widens out into a nice open space.  

I could do some serious reading right here.  Or I could PRETEND to do some serious reading.  

Display of new historic fiction.  

An attractive wall of books.  

If you're a Harlequin romance fan, you won't be disappointed.  

An attempt to look from the back of the store to the front entrance.  

The store has two entrances.  This is the attractive back door entrance.  

Find this section for some bargain sales.  

I love it when bookstores have the shelving space to display books with the covers facing outward.  

With Laura, the fine co-owner at Second Flight Books.  Thanks for a great visit.