The Indie Bob Spot: The Yellow Dog Bookshop

The Yellow Dog Bookshop, Columbia, MO

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The devotion of bookstore owners to their pets are unequaled to none. I've met cats and dogs in many stores across the country and I never grow tired of it. I've also been to indies where the owners are so passionate that their pet becomes part of the store name and becomes part of the store's identity. That's the case here where husband and wife owners Joe C. and Kelsey H. are now entering their 7th year of business in downtown Columbia, MO. In 2013 they came here with a background in bookselling from the bay area in northern California. They brought their yellow dog, Scout, along with them. So their chapter in Columbia began in the bookstore with Scout on board. Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet Scout because he's no longer with us but his presence and happy personality are felt from the name of the store to the checkered floor and shelves of books within.

Oh how I wish I could've been greeted by this happy guy on my visit. This is Scout, the inspiration for the store's name.

This cute little one-level store has a perfect location on one of the busiest streets in downtown Columbia, surrounded by a variety of other small businesses. The store offers largely used books with a handful of new recent releases. They also offer vintage and collectible editions and have discussed the idea of selling these online. Customers can bring their used books in and receive trade, store credit, or cash. Make sure you know the days and times though that they accept used books. Yellow Dog has a small number of sidelines including jewelry, locally created greeting cards, and a good assortment of Yellow Dog swag. I thought the Yellow Dog stuff was especially good including tote bags, mugs, t-shirts, and hats just to name a few. As you might expect, the store has a solid group of regular customers and attracts customers from the University of Missouri community as well as visitors from out of town.

I didn't get to meet Joe or Kelsey during my visit but the store was left in the very capable hands of one of their staffers, Frankie. People like Frankie are one of the reasons I enjoy visiting bookstores so much and another reason you can enjoy the experience instead of ordering from an online behemoth.

Parents, the next time you drop off your kid at one of the Columbia colleges, spend some time downtown before you leave. Wander into Yellow Dog and enjoy the wonder, inspired by a beloved family pet acknowledged in the store's name. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey. Story of a middle-aged, childless couple living in remote Alaska in 1920. It has all the usual challenges of an Alaskan winter but they're also challenged by a vision that they can't explain. A little girl frequents their territory, coming and going without a trace throughout the winters. Is it a vision, is it real, or is it the child they'd always wished for? I really enjoyed this one. Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: A Bookshop In Berlin, Françoise Frenkel.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Far Beyond The Pale, Daren Dean. One Yellow Dog hat and one Yellow Dog t-shirt.

I love the store logo and you can get it on most any of their Yellow Dog swag.

Large front window display.

Uh oh. How did they know I was coming?

The store offers mostly used books and a handful of new ones. If you bring books in, note the days and times you can do so.

View looking into the bookstore from the front entrance. Earnest readers might recognize the celebrity browsing through the store. Yes, that's my mom.