The Indie Bob Spot: Eleanor's Bookshop


Eleanor's Bookshop, Tulsa, OK

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Readers who've followed this journey know that I've run into bookstore owners who've come to the profession after leaving a career in teaching. If there's one thing I know about teachers its that they're good at multi-tasking. Eleanor's Bookshop is proof positive of outstanding multi-tasking. You see, the co-owners here are husband and wife Matt and Kelsey. Unlike others who left teaching to open a bookstore, they are doing both, teaching AND running a bookstore. Wow, talk about raising the bar for all the rest of the teachers! Of course, they couldn't pull this off without excellent in-store help. Carolyn was the bookseller on duty the day of my visit and she was dynamite to talk with. Now I know Matt and Kelsey also have a talent for hiring top-notch people.

Eleanor's Bookshop is what I call a K-12 bookstore. All new books for babies and toddlers all the way through high schoolers and young adult books. There are a few books here for parents but this is definitely a kid focused bookstore. Other than a few greeting cards and t-shirts, there are no sidelines here so the store's success is mostly books, very impressive. Eleanor's opened about a year and a half ago, mid pandemic. Initially, they relied on appointment browsing and online orders. Thankfully, things are going fine now with continued online orders and in-store browsing. It's no surprise in this children's store that they have a daily story time. It's also no surprise in a children's store owned by teachers that one of the store's missions is to improve literacy in the Tulsa area. I didn't meet Matt and Kelsey but I can tell they're good people.

Now, here's the challenge for Eleanor's and its customers. The intersection where the store is located is undergoing major construction. Never fear, YOU CAN GET TO THE STORE. There are certain ways you can and can't turn so you might have to make a couple of passes. Persevere dear readers, persevere. Free parking is plentiful behind the store so park there. Enter the store through their clearly marked back door and then let the magic begin (maybe by the time many of you read this the construction will be complete). Bring your children to his terrific new indie and let them enjoy the beginning of a long-lasting adventure. Tulsa, you've got a winner here. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, Ron Howard and Clint Howard. An absolutely delightful memoir of family, childhood, and the TV and movie industry. If you're a fan of the Andy Griffin Show, Happy Days, American Graffiti, or Opie Taylor, this is a must read. Wonderful book. Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf, Grant Snider.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: A baby book about a refrigerator and an oven.

Perfectly themed display window.

Even though the store is a small one-level space, they have super display window space.

If the front door is blocked by construction or anything else, enter here through the back door. This is also steps away from the free parking lot. I would suggest parking here regardless of entrance.