The Atlas Collective - Moline, IL

The Atlas Collective, Moline, IL

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

I’ve been to over 600 bookstores yet I continue to be amazed and awed by the people I meet on this journey.  Their kindness and passion cannot be overstated and if ever our country needed the strength of these wonderful people it is now.  Kara T. is the fine owner at The Atlas Collective and I’m happy to hear that things are going very well.  She’s surrounded herself with the best of people including her mom Jean, bookseller Brooke, and customers like Sarah.  I can tell she has a vision and determination that would be a great resource to any aspiring bookstore owners. 

In their 10 short months of business The Atlas Collective has achieved the perfect balance; the ying/yang, the tastes great/less filling, the bookseller/barista.  As Kara told me, they have really been successful with the even balance of bookstore and coffeeshop.  The store offers new and used books in a setting that includes an expansive coffee and cafe service with plentiful table seating as well as comfortable living room seating.  The talented staff is very flexible and can prepare your latte AND offer book suggestions.  Since this business is so new, people are still discovering it and many enter looking for a book or a coffee and didn’t realize they offer both, all in an attractive interior.  The store is able to supplement the new book inventory with donated books for the used book inventory, a great way to reduce overhead if bookstores can do this.  The sidelines here include buttons, coffees, and some store merch to name a few but the stickers are hot and won’t be found anywhere else since they’re created by Brooke.  The store hosts occasional events and might offer online purchasing in the future.  

The Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois located on the Mississippi River has an approximate population of 467,000, deserving of many more indies.  Readers, this is an independent bookstore desert.  Davenport has a couple, there’s nothing in Bettendorf, and the one in Rock Island recently closed.  Thankfully, Kara has stepped up to change this region and has recognized there is a genuine thirst for independent bookstores here.  How do I know this?  Opening day, January 2024, The Atlas Collective opened their doors to a 6-hour line of enthusiastic patrons lined up outside their store.  Could there be any clearer indication of the desire of a community to have an independent bookstore?  If you’re anywhere in the Quad Cities, don’t walk, RUN to this terrific new independent bookstore in downtown Moline.  Congratulations Kara!  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Devil In The White City, Erik Larson.  The true story and duel time line of the greatest American architects racing to build a World’s Fair in 1890s Chicago that would rival the Eiffel Tower built in Paris.  And the mysterious disappearance of many young single women who came to Chicago seeking excitement and work from rural America.  A fascinating tale and this author is one of my favorites.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Ragged Company, Richard Wagamese.  

A perfect corner location on the edge of downtown Moline. 

If you have trouble spotting the store, look for this impressive sparkling work of art outside the front door. 

Yes, yes, and yes. 

This explains my nightly nightmares. 

This is the length of the store along 5th Ave. 

No, kids will not have to race through the store to find their section.  This is just inside the front door and immediately to the left. 

I think you can find positivity like this in just about every bookstore. 

The perfect little rocker for a little reader. 

A very uniquely decorated piano in the front of the store.  Piano players welcomed. 

Just inside the front door and looking the length of the store.  The coffee counter is straight ahead in the back of the store. 

Coffee and soy candles.  The candles are provided by Felix's Wares. 

Stroll over to the left side of the store and start browsing.  The store offers new and used books, this is the wall of new books. 

Overview of a beautiful and comfy seating area in the middle of the store. 

Look for those white tabs of paper along the shelves to see the staff recommendations.  These are called shelf talkers and are found in most bookstores. 

These are the bookshelves for the used books, back of the store. 

Pricing guide. 

A beautiful and welcoming neon sign. 

Look for these books wrapped in plain brown paper and play blind date with a book.  Look at the front of the wrapping to see if you want to give it a try.  I love this promotion. 

Cooler of cold drinks near the coffee counter. 

Overview of the coffee service area. 

The staff that makes your drinks can also recommend your books. 

These cinnamon rolls looked delish and this picture will not do them justice. 

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

If your budget is REALLY tight, find this book cart for the $1 books. 

I'm sure the store regulars already know how amazing Brooke is.  She makes the drinks, recommends the books, AND creates the unique stickers that you'll only find at The Atlas Collective.  If you see it and you like it, get it!  You won't find it anywhere else.  Nicely done, Brooke. 

    Partial view of the coffee seating area.  Or grab a book and try it out here. 

With Kara, the fine owner at The Atlas Collective.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Three Bells Books - Mason City, IA

Three Bells Books, Mason City, IA

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

The main claim to fame in this Norman Rockwell-esque Iowa town is as the home of Meredith Wilson, renowned composer most recognized for The Music Man.  But man, this new independent bookstore might give Meredith Wilson a run for his money for a Mason City destination (well, maybe a nudge up to 2nd place?!).  I cannot believe everything going on and in place in its short approximately 11 months in business.  Best of all, it brings a new indie to Iowa which is slowly seeing some growth in bookstores opening.  

Co-owners Molly and Jake have done a bang-up job in less than a year in business.  Beginning with the very European looking storefront to the sleek and clean interior organized and arranged mostly by Molly.  Outstanding!  The store offers all new books along with a few used that customers either donate or receive store credit.  If you can’t visit the store consider supporting them by ordering your book on the store website.  While you're browsing you can enjoy a soda, glass of wine, or heck, a Fat Hill Scottish Ale.  They have a great relationship with Fat Hill Brewing because Molly and Jake co-own that as well.  The two stores are so closely related that the lines often blur between the two with events and book clubs.  They have so many book clubs that store manager and bookseller Julie was having trouble naming them all.  At least eight with the store and one with Fat Hill, all in less than a year.  Three Bells also offers other events including author signings and a story time for kids on Sunday afternoons.  As Julie told me, that’s a typically slow time and is a great way to bring people into the store.  The best sidelines recently have been mugs and small literary soaps but they offer much more including greeting cards, puzzles, bookmarks, and candy to name just a few. 

I’m always intrigued by uncommon bookstore names so I was naturally curious about Three Bells.  If you're a fan of the Brontë sisters you might figure it out.  They used the last name of Bell as a pseudonym to publish a one-volume book of poems.  And of course there were three Brontë sisters inspiring Molly to the very creative bookstore name, Three Bells Books.

The store will celebrate its one year anniversary in December yet many in the area are unaware of its presence.  Hey regulars, spread the word.  This place is a must-see and after you’ve browsed the books, go through the back of the store and enjoy another wonderful small business, Simply Nourished.  Enjoy a 5-star experience that you’ll want to repeat over and over.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  Devil In The White City, Erik Larson. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Miracle of The Music Man, Mark Cabaniss.  

I love discovering creative displays of art in the communities I visit.  This one is mere steps from the bookstore. 

I thought the storefront had a very European vibe. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

An absolutely wonderful seating area immediately to the left after entering. 

The first bookshelves to the left after entering. 

You'll need a tote bag for all the books you get. 

Relevant candles for the holiday season. 

Attractive table display to the right after entering. 

 A few of the puzzles and cookbooks available. 

Overview of the refreshment area in the middle of the store. 

Beautiful signage.  Notice the menu on the left and the events on the right. 

Assorted and unique bookmarks at the refreshment counter. 

Go to the middle of the store and take a right into another room of the bookstore...

...where you'll find used books at a great price. 

Staff pick display in the used book room. 

A few of the greeting cards offered. 

I had a Hammond chocolate bar at a previous bookstore and I can highly recommend you get one. 

If you're in the Mason City area and enjoy reading, I encourage you to join one of the book clubs Three Bells offers.  They have book clubs for a variety of interests. 

Right side of the store toward the back. 

Left side of the store toward the back.  Behind these shelves you'll find the children's area. 

The approaching holidays means you can pick up gift cards for friends and family. 

Unique and wacky socks offered in bookstores can seldom be found anywhere else.  If you see it and you like it, GET IT. 

All indies support banned books. 

Variety of Candy Club candies. 

Hey local authors, Blue Bells wants to hear from you. 

Another gorgeous and comfy seating area in the back of the store. 

Above the comfy seating area you'll see some super artistic renditions, all featuring readers. 

Looking into the children's area. 

Another different angle of the children's area. 

Go through the back of the store and patronize another local business.  I didn't get to see much of this so I hope to visit again someday and spend more time. 

With Julie, the fine store manager at Three Bells Books.  Thanks for a great visit.