The Storied Owl - St. Paul, MN

Storied Owl Books, St. Paul, MN

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How is is that every newly opened bookstore I visit is just cute as a button?  Naturally, I have a theory.  If you think about it, new bookstores are just like new babies.  Nobody has ever seen an ugly baby, they're all cute.  The same can be said for "baby" bookstores, they're all beautiful .  This baby is only about three months old and is in excellent health.  Excellent health defined by life is off to a great start, business is going great, there is a reasonable lease with a nice landlord, and local people are continuing to discover the store.  But the great thing here is that this store is going to mature and blossom into a well-known Twin Cities bookstore destination.  And if you're reading this blurb now, make it so.  

This store has many advantages that other indies don't.  An excellent, visible corner location at the intersection of two busy streets.  It's nestled between academia and family residential.  It draws customers from young families in surrounding neighborhoods and customers from the University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University (St. Catherine is actually right across the street).  The store is very well organized, very neat, and offers all new books with very few sidelines.  They have a good assortment of candy which is selling very well (come for the candy, stay for the books), some bookstore swag, and that's about it.   But as co-owner Amy T. told me, they're still figuring that part out.  That's what will be fun to see as I follow the store's growth.  As for the books, it's about a 50/50 split between adult and children's with the emphasis in adult's books on fiction.  Annie, one of the booksellers, told me that the sci-fi is selling very well.

In the store's brief existence, they've already hosted some events right on site.  They have many options for larger events off-site with their location so close to universities and large churches.  And if you're one of the young families in the neighborhood be watching for the start of their story time events.  

The proud parents here are co-owners Amy and Marcus M.  Their excitement and enthusiasm for their new store was fun to see and my visit was thoroughly enjoyable.

If you're in the Twin Cities area, something's cooking here.  Visit The Storied Owl and get in on the ground floor of a little bookstore with a big future.  Congratulations Ann and Marcus!  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Rotters, Daniel Kraus.  

This is the Cleveland Ave side.  

A great location at the corner of Cleveland and Randolph.  Vigilant readers may recognize the celebrity preparing to dash into the store.  Yes, that's my mom.  

Bookstore sidewalk signs never disappoint!

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Just inside the front entrance and near the check-out counter, there are several bulk candy selections.  I don't know a thing about marketing or business but this is sure to attract the neighbor kids and sooner or later they'll start hanging around to check out the books.  

Storied Owl merchandise.  

Beautiful display on a sunny day.  

When I saw this display, my first thought was how did this table from my junior high industrial arts class get here?

Two comfy places to sit and try out a book.  

I generally don't look for clocks when I'm in a bookstore but this was a nice one.  

The Storied Owl, of course, keeping watch over the store.  

Back half of the store.  

Mystery fans will enjoy these shelves.  

Another comfy reading spot.  Bring your own pillow.  

Partial view of the children's section.  

A timely and relevant display.  

Seasonal featured children's books.  

An overview of the store from back to front.  

With Marcus on the left and Amy in the center, the two fine co-owners of The Storied Owl.  Thanks for a great visit.