Books & Burrow - Pittsburg, KS

 

Books & Burrow, Pittsburg, KS

 (Like The Indie Bob Spot on Facebook and follow The Indie Bob Spot on Twitter)

Even though I've been to over 500 bookstores, I NEVER get tired of hearing the stories from owners and their journeys that led them to bookstore ownership.  That story for Books & Burrow really didn't start with the owners, but their 12-year-old daughter.  As owner and mother,  Darcie told me their daughter is an enthusiastic reader, someone who loves books and libraries, and can't get enough.  So it came to be that the inspiration for Darcie and Dave's bookstore business came from a daughter who is a devoted reader.  And now, daughter and parents have a bookstore and live upstairs above the store and the daughter is living a dream produced by two super parents.  What a wonderful childhood they have created for her and in doing so are providing a community with an independent bookstore.  And a child shall lead them.  Honestly, this should be a movie.

Books & Burrow will be two years old in November 2022 so it has survived opening during the pandemic and is now continuing to enjoy a successful start.  They have a good location on very busy Broadway St. just outside the main downtown area, a very visible location.  This is one of the few female/Native American-owned bookstores I've been to and the store offers a good selection of books by those authors and interests.  In addition to offering all new books, you'll find a variety of sidelines including candles, art, teas, and much more.  During the holiday the puzzles and games are quite popular.  The sidelines are a very important part of the business as are their online sales through bookshop.org.  Best of all, they own the building and live upstairs above the store.  This would be a big deal for any bookstore owner.

The store has been embraced by a solid group of regulars and they also enjoy customer traffic from all portions of the Pittsburg State University community.  No doubt about it, this is a great addition to the Pittsburg business community.

I didn't get to meet Dave on this visit but had a wonderful time meeting Darcie and hearing her story.  They came to this business with no retail and bookstore background.  What does this mean?  It means, dear reader, that you too can provide something that might be needed in YOUR COMMUNITY!  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Faith, Jennifer Haigh.  Story of an Irish-Catholic family in Boston who must navigate the trauma of a priest accused of child molesting.  The accusations divide the two adult siblings, devout mother, and relatives and is one of many scandals that arises in the Boston area that rocks the Catholic church.  How do the families survive this terrible ordeal?  Highly recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Bookish People, Susan Coll. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED: A Snake Falls To Earth, Darcie Little Badger. 

Another view of the prominent store front. 

Lots of front window display and attractive planters. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  I love the green and it really stands out. 

 Look for the beautifully designed check-out counter that looks like it is on a bookshelf.  Nice. 

Just a few of the adult fiction books available. 

Table display of items of local interest and/or by local authors. 

Some of the historical fiction and mysteries you'll find here. 

The popular book-themed candles found here and in many indies. 

So true. 

In addition to the book-themed candles, the store also offers these locally created soy candles. 

Very attractive original work of art. 

A very cozy and appealing area of the store.  Enjoy some time here sampling a book. 

In addition to being the co-owner, Dave is also a talented artisan creating these unique wooden bowls. 

The store has a multitude of books for all ages related to Native Amercans, their culture, history, and authors. 

Artist's rendering of the bookstore available on a t-shirt. 

Halfway through the bookstore space and looking toward the back. 

There are many comfortable places to sit in the store and do a little reading. 

Kids will love this display. 

Uh oh. 

Overview of the children's area. 

Artwork available for purchase, created by local artists. 

Book displays in the children's area. 

View looking from the back of the store toward the front entrance. 

With Darcie, the fine co-owner at Books & Burrow.  Thanks for a great visit.