Barbed Wire Books - Longmont, CO

Barbed Wire Books, Longmont, CO

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Readers, if you've never been to Barbed Wire Books please continue reading so I can save you some embarrassment.  Before my visit here I kept reading in different places about a fictional character in the store, Barb Dwyer.  I thought, who the heck is this?  Is this someone special?  A local author?  Former bookseller?  Customer?  Oh no, Indie Bob, nothing like that.  I was informed (and embarrassed) by store owner Kathe H. who told me Barb Dwyer is a play on words of the store name.  Say it fast, Barb Dwyer = Barbed Wire.  So yours truly did a face palm and a Homer Simpson "doh" and now I can save you from the same humiliating fate!

This indie has some national renown and after visiting I can see why.  A large and spacious one-level with a perfect location on very busy Main St. in downtown Longmont.  As Kathe told me, she's not sure how the store got some national attention because they just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  The store has a generous inventory of new and used books, each shelved in their own areas of the store.  They also offer vintage and collectable editions.  It was wonderful to find some used books in the store thanks to the store's data base, something not always possible in stores with used books.  Barbed Wire has numerous sidelines and the greeting cards and art supplies sell quite well.  You'll also find a line of "out-of-print" book t-shirts, tarot cards, and wacky bookstore socks to name a few.  The store doesn't have as many events as they used to but when they do they have a great space in the back of the store called the Hobbit Hole with a Tolkien themed door into a large room.  It also serves as a great lunch space for staff.  

Kathe is a fierce and loyal advocate of the independent bookstore community.  We both are solidly in agreement about all independent businesses and are huge supporters of all communities who emphasize shop local, buy local.  My experience here was a resounding endorsement for visiting and enjoying a terrific bookstore experience.  But I know, dear readers, you already get this.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  Essex Dogs, Dan Jones. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Cry, The Beloved Country, Alan Paton.  Dirty Bird Blues, Clarence Major.  Keeper 'N Me, Richard Wagamese.    

 

Barbed Wire storefront. 

Lots of window display space. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance. 

You'll find some of the Colorado-themed and local interest books just inside the store. 

Just inside the entrance and to the right are a few of the collectible editions in the store. 

Jewelry found in bookstores is almost always unique to the region.  In other words, if you see something you like, get it. 

Most of the new books are in the front of the store. 

Looking into the children's area. 

Another overview of the children's area. 

I've seen many bookstores carry wacky adult socks, this store also has socks for little readers. 

Go to the back of the store and see the Tolkien-themed door that opens into the Hobbit Hole. 

The Hobbit Hole is a multi-purpose space for groups, events, and staff lunch breaks. 

This is a depiction of Barb Dwyer flying in to save the day from a reader who spills coffee on a book, steps on a book, and otherwise mistreats books.  A classic rendition of good versus evil and Barb Dwyer triumphs.  Always check the front display window for talented creativity.  Way to go Barbed Wire (and Barb Dwyer!)!

I love this, brought to the store from a former indie owner who then came to work at Barbed Wire.

An overview of the front room. 

This store has done a great job of presenting a Colorado theme. 

A few of the greeting cards available. 

Looking into the back 2/3s of the store. 

You'll see barbed wire decor throughout the store. 

Who knew barbed wire could be turned into art?

A large side room of books on the left side of the store.

A wide variety of sidelines near the check-out counter. 

Popular journal and notebook brand. 

Just a few of the art supplies offered, a popular sideline here. 

A wide variety of bookstore-themed candles. 

One of the stores' many book nooks. 

A comfy western-themed chair.  

Sounds good to me. 

Give me a book in this chair and good luck getting me to leave. 

This is the children's area of used books in the back of the store. 

Barbed wire enthusiasts (is that a thing??) will enjoy this display of various kinds of barbed wire.  Who knew??

They even have famous barbed-wire. 

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

The store offers several varieties of the "Out-of-Print" brand t-shirts. 

Get your Barbed Wire swag. 

With Kathe, the fine owner at Barbed Wire Books.  Thanks for a great visit.