The Press - Valparaiso, IN

The Press, Valparaiso, IN

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You’ve probably heard the expression, “don’t put the cart ahead of the horse,” or a variation of that.  Well, that’s how they rolled when owner Dia and husband John decided to open a bookstore in Valparaiso.  Dia knew that she didn’t want to open a bookstore without a coffee shop.  Enter son Ben M., a student at Valparaiso University.  While there, he became interested in roasting coffee beans and did so in his dorm room with an old popcorn popper.  This endeavor became so popular that it outgrew the dorm room.  Fast forward to today and Dia had the coffee shop part easily solved by Ben, his friends, and his expertise.  In this case, the cart before the horse worked perfectly.  Judging by the crowd on this weekday morning, the coffee, the bookstore, and the coffee shop are very popular.  Well done, Dia.

The Press is now one-year old but before opening they had to do major interior renovations that took about four months.  Their work paid off and the results are a beautiful and comfy space.  Located in the heart of downtown Valpo, the foot traffic is excellent and it helps that the store is surrounded by many restaurants and successful businesses.  In addition to a strong core of regulars (if you’re a regular, make sure you ask about the loyalty program), they also see many customers from the Valpo University community, some who are here because of Ben’s coffee enterprise while he was a student there.  

The store offers all new books and an excellent variety of sidelines.  Of course, the stickers are hot but they also offer a good line of store merch, greeting cards, puzzles, and adult coloring books to name just a few.  If you can’t visit the store in person you always have the option of purchasing online.  In their short year of operation they already have multiple book clubs, host a story time, and hold events.  My favorite event that they hold every Thursday-Saturday is a wine tasting time.  A popular local winery provides the wine and you can sip and browse.  As Dia said, this is great for people who might have a 30-minute wait for their table at a nearby restaurant.  

Again, readers, these bookstore visits cannot be duplicated with an online click and submit.  When you visit The Press and meet Dia along with bookseller Amber I can guarantee an experience that will have you coming back to visit over and over.  Coffee, books, wine, and best of all terrific people.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  Under The Henfluence, Tove Danovich.  The author’s heartwarming story of leaving Brooklyn for Oregon and the beginning of her adventure of raising backyard chickens.  Chickens have received a bum rap over the centuries and Tove sets the record straight about chickens, the myths, the facts, and the disturbing conditions with corporate chicken facilities.  For chicken enthusiasts, a must-read.  For the rest of us, informative and inspirational.  I enjoyed it.    

CURRENTLY READING:  Neighbors and Other Stories, Diane Oliver.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Parable Of The Talents, Octavia E. Butler.  Hell's Princess, Harold Schechter.   

 

My prediction is that when the weather turns nice this outdoor seat area will be packed. 

Storefront with maximum window space for lots of natural light on the inside. 

 

Looking straight through the store from the front entrance. 

 

Unique table display of books and some sidelines inside the front entrance and in the cafe seating area. 

 

Alongside the right wall just after entering. 

 

Customer-friendly display with adult coloring books and books with stickers to name a few. 

 

A wall of books just inside the entrance.  It's not a swimming pool but I would dive right in anyway!

 

We've all done this. 

Overview of the cafe seating area in the front of the store. 

 

Display of popular releases. 

 

Head to this counter to order your coffee drink. 

 

The bad news is that you've missed the April events.  The good news is that there will be more in May. 

 

Show-off your beverages in these uber cool merch containers made by a local artist.

 

If you know someone who likes stickers, here is a book of stickers you use to create your own art. 

 

The store recognizes and partners with the local library.  Nice. 

 

I love the store merch. 

 

Taylor Swift items have been popular.  I think this would be popular at any bookstore. 

 

More than just coffee at this bookstore cafe.  Yes please. 

 

A portion of the bookshelves on the rear left wall. 

 

Should I just get cases of this book and hand out as needed??

 

A few of the greeting cards available. 

 

An overview of the children's area. 

 

I can confirm that they have bathrooms AND are creatively labeled. 

 

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

 

A few of the books of local and regional interest. 

The perfect comfy seat for you, your book, and your coffee. 

...or stretch out here if you dare. 

I've always felt the silent book club is a great event for those indies who are able to offer it. 

This is a cool artistic representation of Ben and his friends in his dorm room, the birthplace of the coffee business that is enjoyed by many at The Press. 

With Dia, the fine co-owner at The Press.  Thanks for a great visit.