Bookshelves & Coffee Cups - New Ulm, MN

Bookshelves & Coffee Cups, New Ulm, MN

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The joy I get along this journey is multiplied ten-fold compared to what I put into it.  Meeting people like Jer and Pam C. is a gift like the many others I am blessed to meet.  And now, after 28 years of bookstore success, they have their sights set on their next chapter of retirement.  So, dear readers, you need to get here soon and visit these wonderful owners who do things the old-fashioned way.  Jer is a story-teller.  He can share numerous stories with you about their 28-year history.  About how he and Pam both left the corporate world and decided to open a used book store in New Ulm.  About how they eventually purchased the entire building, living in the floors above the store.  About the 28 years of life-long friends they’ve enjoyed in the store.  About the music productions they put together in the back of the store that were like a version of NPR’s “Tiny Desk” concerts.  And so much more.  Readers, you know this is why I encourage all to enjoy getting your books from your local indie and not getting them online, a truly fulfilling experience.  

This historic 100+ year old building located in downtown New Ulm offers all used books in neatly arranged rows and nooks.  The only other part of the business is the coffee service and that’s it.  I’d say that’s pretty impressive for 28 years.  Customers who bring in books can receive store credit in return (this policy may have changed so be sure to ask).  They keep customer info on index cards, I didn’t see a computer here.  Jer even told me about the time a customer who came back 15 years later and redeemed his store credit.  

Not only do I meet fun owners like Jer and Pam, but I meet customers like Jim.  As we conversed, I discovered that we play the same instrument (trombone) and I’ve played in bands over the years with many of the same people he knew and played with years ago.  What a blast this was!

Plan to visit this terrific bookstore soon.  Bring cash or a check, no credit cards.  Only one check has bounced in 28 years.  Your purchase will be recorded in a large ledger book.  Find time to visit Jer and Pam, get a coffee, and enjoy an old-school bookstore experience.  I love it!  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  Keeper 'N Me, Richard Wagamese.  Indigenous Canadian author who is one of my favorites except for this book.  Heavily inspired by the author's own life,  Keeper'n Me tells the story of a young Anishinaabe man who was taken from his family at three years old and raised in the city. Twenty years later he is finally reunited with his blood relatives and begins to learn what it means to live a Native life in a remote region.  I thought it was a little slow.  I highly recommend Indian Horse by this author. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Heart's Invisible Furies, John Boyne. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  War Party, Louis L'Amour.  Under The Sweetwater Rim, Louis L'Amour. 

 

Beautiful historic building in downtown New Ulm. 

Who knew the glare could be so bad on a winter day?  Trust me, it's a wonderful display window. 

One of the store staffers ready to greet you with a pile of books and hot coffee. 

Looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Jer and Pam love cats and you'll find them in all shapes, designs, and forms throughout the store. 

Looking directly to the left from the front entrance. 

Head over to the left side of the store and start your browsing. 

A cross-section near the front of the store. 

Partial view of the cafe service area. 

The cafe drink menu offers something for every taste. 

One of the many book aisles. 

A rare find indeed.  Most people have heard of the now extinct Packard automobiles.  I didn't know that Packard also made pianos.  This one is a two-seater with three clutch pedals!  😊

Follow the clearance signs for bargains. 

In the back of the store, find this spacious area.  Good for book clubs, chess, and music. 

Nice overview of the back room. 

The chess board awaits.  Always a great idea on a winter day. 

View from the back of the store looking toward the front, slightly obscured by shelves and shelves of books. 

One of the many book nooks. 

I would encourage shoppers to follow this etiquette in every bookstore they visit. 

I love it.  I'm sure you other booksellers and owners can relate to this. 

The good news at Bookshelves & Coffee Cups is that your credit card will not accumulate one penny of debt when you shop here.  Bring your cash. 

With Pam on the left and Jer on the right, the two fine owners at Bookshelves & Coffee Cups.  Thanks for a great visit and congratulations on your successful longevity in the bookstore business. 

Lykke Books - New, Ulm, MN

 

Lykke Books, New Ulm, MN

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How is it that I can visit a town of approximately 14,000 and enter an incredible bookstore not even one-year old that is knocking it out of the park?!  This store is only a few months out of the gate but it could be a template for aspiring bookstore owners.  It all starts with the owner Brie T. who has put this together creating a fantastic space AND is so much more than just books.  And she’s just getting started with a non-profit for youth activities (including a bicycle maintenance and repair shop for kids), a wonderful grab ‘n go cafe service that will soon become a coffee shop, and an evolving children’s story time to name just a few.  Honestly, this is just the tip of the Lykke (pronounced "Luka") Books business footprint (If Brie ever decided to run for city council she’d get my vote). 

Lykke Books offers mostly new books with just a few used in this very large one-level space.  There are a plethora of sidelines ranging from art supplies to reading glasses.  But the most popular ones are the stickers, ukuleles, and unique and decorative table lamps.  A huge part of the store’s initial success can be attributed to an ambitious events schedule, coordinated by Tammy, one of the booksellers.  

Besides the terrific people here my favorite thing is the store interior.  New Ulm is a community with a very strong German heritage and you can see that theme throughout the store, simply beautiful.  It also has a lot of flexibility for various events.  The log cabin in the front of the store hosts a hospice support group for one.  The large cafe seating area is another event option.  The true dedicated event space is in the back of the store and is able to accommodate yoga classes and ukulele lessons for kids.  The ukulele classes are so popular that adults are now asking for them.  This space is also available to rent to community groups.  The downstairs space is empty and wide open.  Heck, it’s so big they could roller skate or have a dance party.  The options this store has for events are unlimited and would be the envy of many independent bookstores. 

As I write this, YOU could even be a part of this wonderful bookstore.  Brie and Lykke Books are looking to hire additional staff.  If I lived in New Ulm this would be a no-brainer.  Surrounded by books, food, and rock stars like Brie, Tammy, and Libby could be your dream job.  Either way, check out this wonderful indie with the perfect location in downtown New Ulm.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.   

JUST FINISHED:  The Teacher, Freida McFadden.  This author is generating some buzz so thought I better check her out starting with this book.  Husband and wife teachers work at the same high school.  As their marriage disintegrates husband Nathaniel takes interest in a student, who is a loner girl with no friends and a bad reputation from a scandal the previous year.  Meanwhile, wife Eve begins an affair with a shoe salesman.  This all sounds tacky but there are MANY unforeseen twists coming down the home stretch. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Keeper 'N Me, Richard Wagamese. 

 

Looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Table display just inside the entrance of recent releases. 

Celebrate Black History Month. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance. 

To the left and curling around to this front corner of the store enjoy the store's art gallery.  Unique works of art featuring different local artists each month. 

One of my favorite views over on the left side of the store. 

New Ulm has ukulele fever!  These are popular sellers.  Get yours here and join or start a class. 

Immediately to the right after entering is this very cool log cabin. 

A fun and comfy space inside the log cabin.  One of the store's many options for events.

The store offers a select few used books in the log cabin room. 

Beautiful piano in the front of the store and near the cafe seating area. 

Overview of the cafe seating area.  This space is another option for events. 

This shirt is perfect for a New Ulm, MN bookstore.  Not so sure about other regions of the country?!

Quirky bookstore socks offered here. 

This unique table lamp has been one of the popular sidelines.  Not sure I've seen anything like it. 

In a German village, this wagon might have brats and hotdogs.  Here in Lykke Books, it's the "sidelines wagon."  Located in the middle of the store.

Grab and go with several options. 

There are a variety of puzzles offered. 

Another seating area in the cafe. 

I haven't heard of this game but it sounds like fun. 

This is the dedicated events space in the back of the store and it is huge.  They've hosted yoga classes and ukulele classes in here to name just two.  Community groups can also rent this space out.  Very impressive space. 

Another overview of the dedicated events space. 

If you thought the dedicated event space was huge, this is another flexible option for events located downstairs.  Big enough for a dance party!

This room is downstairs and is one of the non-profits hosted in the store.  This is Project Bike Tech, an area devoted to helping kids learn how to fix and maintain bicycles.  If you know a kid who's having trouble fitting in, maybe not doing sports anymore, and looking for something to try, this might be perfect. 

Another overview of the Project Bike Tech room.  Nicely done, Brie. 

Secrets of happy people and the store name. 

The store has a wide variety of art supplies. 

Looking into the children's area and some great places to sit. 

Overview of the children's area. 

Another angle of the children's area. 

Wonderful overview of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance. 

Let your Spanish-speaking friends know they have books for them. 

I would have a problem leaving this area. 

The "Blind Date With a Book" promotions are in the majority of the stores I visit.  This is a big change over the last few years. 

An example of how Lykke packages one of their "blind date" books. 

One-of-a-kind greeting cards at the check out counter. 

With Brie, the fine owner at Lykke Books.  Thanks for a great visit.