Monarch Books & Gifts - Overland Park, KS

 

Monarch Books & Gifts, Overland Park, KS

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If you read nothing else about this wonderful bookstore, read and understand the following.  The name of this store is Monarch Books & Gifts, not The Green Door.  For new customers, your GPS may say The Green Door but rest assured that is definitely the location, just no longer the name.  Unbeknownst to owner Christin, the original name of this store attracted some rather nefarious customers because of the connotation of green doors to adult films in the 70s.  Who knew?  In order to make things  perfectly clear, she changed the name to Monarch Books & Gifts to provide a new and fresh start for the business.  And that's the ONLY thing that changed.  Same terrific bookstore with the same wonderful people.

The business of Monarch Books has been around for about three years and I'm happy to hear that things are going very well.  A beautiful, expansive one-level space offering mostly new books with a few used and a myriad of sidelines.  The variety of sidelines are endless including stickers, magnets, Blue Q one-of-a-kind socks and oven mitts, mugs, and candles to name a few.  If you know a Travis Kelce fan (Kansas City Chiefs tight end) they even have a candle called Kelce's Cologne (I wonder if it smells like a locker room?  I digress).  The painting and decor in the children's section is outstanding and is an example of Christin's creative artistic talents that you can find throughout the store.

For only three years in business this indie is hitting all the marks.  Frequent events are held in the store hosting up to 50 people.  For larger events they have options for hosting at a local library.  They've already partnered with some local schools (the school librarians came to THEM!) and have been able to do some of the school book fairs.  What a great benefit for any bookstores who are able to do this.

Best of all, this store has the most delightful people.  Christin and bookseller Natalie are exactly the kind of people that make a perfect bookstore experience for any customer.  But I'm sure I don't have to tell the regulars this.  

If you're in the Kansas City area and haven't discovered this place, pay them a visit.  As I told Natalie, even if you're not a reader there's something here for everyone.  Remember the name and spread the word, Monarch Books & Gifts.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

 JUST FINISHED:  Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, Mary Roach.  Meh.  A scientific look at sex presenting mostly trivial information and padded with jokes.  But, this author is pretty popular and gets good reviews from most people except me. 

CURRENTLY READING:  A Murder Is Announced, Agatha Christie. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  A Blue Q oven mitt. 

Beautiful storefront.  Ignore the sign.  The name of this indie is Monarch Books & Gifts. 

Admittedly, I can relate to this. 

Festive display window. 

If it were nice, you could sit here and enjoy a book.  And there's even a little bench for a little reader.  Nice. 

Find some bargains before you even enter the store. 

Looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance.  Check out the book Christmas trees. 

Variety of gift ideas attractively displayed in the front of the store. 

Table display with a holiday touch. 

View looking into the children's area on the right side of the store. 

Some of Christin's creative talent.  Impressive.

 

Beautiful work, Christin.  In the children's area. 

A couple of customers who've been in the store for awhile. 

Variety of mugs near the front entrance. 

A comfortable seating area in the center of the store. 

The bookshelves on the left wall of the store offer lengthy browsing. 

A very unique bookend. 

If you know any Kansas Jayhawk fans, this book is a must. 

These literary-themed candles are popular in many bookstores. 

The store carries an assortment of unique socks. 

After you're done browsing the left wall, head over to the right wall of bookshelves. 

Just a few of the stickers available.  More at the checkout counter. 

I love these quirky socks.  

Kelce's Colgne.  If you're a Kansas City Chiefs fan you know who I'm talking about. 

Christin's artistic talents are displayed throughout the store. 

I have found bookstore people are quite creative. 

This would be a fantastic gift for a Patrick Mahomes fan. 

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

Look at the ceiling in the store and you'll see many book titles painted on the tiles by high school students

If you're going to browse, take a coffee with you. 

With Natalie on the left and Christin on the right, two of the fine people you'll meet at Monarch Books & Gifts.  Thanks for a great visit.