The Indie Bob Spot: By The Hearth Bookshop

By The Hearth Bookshop, Bloomfield, IA

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There’s a small town in southeast Iowa not well known outside of that region. People might not have any reason to visit Bloomfield, IA, but if you’re a reader who enjoys bookstores and coffeeshops, this is a destination. Of the many towns in Iowa, I never thought that a town like Bloomfield would have a bookstore. But thanks to owners Joshua and wife Kerry and their research to relocate here from the Pacific Northwest, they are making it happen in a part of the state that is a bookstore desert. When you enter this store, it is a true oasis of a wonderful, expansive space filled with all new books, various sidelines, a cute coffeeshop, and comfy furniture making it THE reason to visit Bloomfield. Congrats Joshua and Kerry.

By The Hearth has been here for almost two years, located on the downtown square of Bloomfield, a great location. For a town like Bloomfield with a population of approximately 2500, this bookstore’s presence is impressive given that many towns much larger have nothing like it. And I’m happy to learn that they are doing very well, enjoying a strong base of regular customers. In addition to new books (and eventually used books), the store offers various sidelines including greeting cards, stickers, t-shirts, candles, journals, games, and much more. If you can’t visit the store in-person consider placing an order on the store’s website.

There are two parts of their business that play a huge role in their success and are something that not all bookstores can offer. They have a huge event space at the back of the store that can be rented out for meetings, bridal showers, graduation parties, and just about anything else you can imagine. You can rent it by the hour and can include a drink service and/or catering if you like. The other big part of the business is their coffeeshop, a comfortable space to get something to drink and something to eat from a diverse menu. The coffeeshop has its own exterior entrance or you can reach it from the bookstore space on the inside. What an advantage for any bookstore that has the flexibility to offer these options.

Best of all are the terrific people you’ll meet here. Owners Joshua and Kerry along with daughters Johanna and Ellena, and bookseller Diana. But I don’t have to tell you regulars this.

If you’re in the Bloomfield area, discover the joy of exploring one of the regions best kept secrets. Thank you Joshua and Kerry for picking Bloomfield and welcome to Iowa. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Beloved, Toni Morrison. I've always wanted to read this book but boy it was a struggle. Part of it for me is that the writing was so good it was a bit beyond me. I had difficulty following the chronology of the story. Struggles of post-slavery and yet not being free, separated families, oppression, and tragedies.

Bug Hollow, Michelle Huneven. The story of the Samuelson family of California beginning in the 70s. You'll follow their tragedies, coping with loss, new family members, and their unique personalities. Father Phil is the gentle, kind-hearted soul and his wife Sybil is the prickly school-teacher who is a little less compassionate. Not familiar with this author but I enjoyed it. Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING: Life, and Death, and Giants, Ron Rindo.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: True North, Andrew J. Graff.

Across the street from the bookstore checkout the dominating presence of the historic courthouse. Beautiful.

Two exterior entrances. In the center of the picture is the main entrance for the bookstore and on the left the coffeehouse has its own exterior entrance. You can access both spaces from the interior as well.

The coffeehouse storefront.

I love this mural on the outside of the building.

Lots of display window space.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.

Looking over to the left after entering you can check out what the book clubs are reading.

Yes, you'll need a shopping basket.

A variety of t-shirts and store merch are offered in the front of the store.

Attractive display of books and sidelines.

Start browsing this area, the wall on the far right of the store.

The front of the bookstore is divided into two large spaces. This is the large space on the right side.

A comfy chair and a coffee table. Just grab a book.

Another comfy setting to sit and sample a book.

This is the room on the right side of the store looking from the back toward the front.

A few of the greeting cards offered.

Yes, it's that time of year. If you're in Bloomfield, this is a great place to do some of your holiday shopping.

Overview of the children's section in the back of the store.

In the back of the store is this ramp that goes down into the children's section on the left and more books on the right. Straight ahead is the entryway into the very large event space, available to rent for any event you can imagine. The history of this bookstore space was once an auto dealership and the ramp you see is how the cars got to the front of the building.