The Homer Bookstore - Homer, AK

The Homer Bookstore, Homer, AK

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

Bookstores like this one absolutely confound me!  They shouldn't because I've seen successful ones just like it with similar histories and backgrounds.  This indie is in a community of approximately 5000 but with the surrounding environs approximately 12,000.  They have been in business forty years.  HOW?!  This town in Alaska is basically the end of the line.  Go any further and you need a passport.  But survive and thrive it has and the good news according to owners Jenny S., Sue P., and Lee P., is that they are seeing what many other indies are.  The pendulum is swinging back toward indies, this store is showing positive growth, and with these three terrific owners and their experience I think they have a bright future.  People, if they can do it in Homer, AK, it can be done anywhere!

This bookstore has an attractive exterior and to me is especially cheery in the summer, the day of my visit.  They offer all new books in a one-level setting as well as a variety of sidelines including t-shirts, greeting cards, journals, and Alaskan chocolate which sells very well.  They made their mark with sidelines though a few years ago when they carried Alaskan-themed beanie babies.  A shrewd marketing move that paid off!  The store holds events and as Sue told me, they hold more than people would think.  I've learned that Alaska has a good population of published authors and that's beneficial for all of the Alaskan indies.

As with other Alaska bookstores, I thought that books about Alaska, things to do and see, guidebooks, and maps were particularly good.  The store's customers visit roughly during their respective seasons.  Regulars and locals during the winters and tourists in the summers.  Lee also attributes part of the store's success to the fact that Homer's local population is well-educated, mostly transplants from other parts of the country.

I hit the trifecta on this visit by meeting Jenny, Sue, and Lee, the three owners who were all present.  This was a big deal because the three are rarely here all together.  It was my lucky day to meet these wonderful people who were thoroughly engaging and so fun to to talk to.  It is clear to me why this store is so darn successful.  If you're in Homer and haven't been here yet (unbelievable!), good grief get with it.  Visit a legendary bookstore worthy of national recognition and the super people who work there.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman.  I'll bet this becomes a movie so you should read this first.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one.  Eleanor Oliphant is an average woman, average looking, average build, average job, with an ironclad constitution.  She is socially awkward, sometimes the butt of jokes, but goes about her business.  But someone at work takes an interest in her and slowly she warms to little gestures of kindness for no reason at all.  But she has a hidden history that is slowly revealed through the book.  Recommended.

CURRENTLY READING:  Schlump, Hans Herbert Grimm.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  My Absolute Darling, Gabriel Tallent.  Man In Hole, Doug Dodd.  Not purchased but gifted, a very hip Homer Bookstore book bag.  Thanks Lee.

A beautiful bookstore in a beautiful part of the country.  

Original art work above the entrance.  

I love this caricature of a reader on the front porch.  

Nice display window and I usually apologize for the glare but you can see scenic Alaska reflected.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

A few of the Alaskan-themed items.  

Display of some of the new releases.  

Specialty magazines available near the front entrance.  

Lots of Alaska maps and guides to choose from.  

As much regional and local interest books as anywhere I've visited.  

Science in the Summer wall display.  

An extensive assortment of greeting cards.  

There are a variety of journals offered. 

This is one of the benches you can sit on and there are several located around the store.  But they're more than benches, they're works of art.  

A great place to sit and sample a few books.  Bring your bookclub here.  

When you get ready to check out with your book, pick up a paper.  

I love this display, guaranteed good staff picks.  

All the artistic benches are unique.  

I love this promotion and have found it at many other bookstores.  

This is how it works.  

Display of books by local authors.  

The owners tell me that this Alaska chocolate is outstanding.  

Grab a coffee to keep you company while you browse.  

A portion of the children's section.  

I think kids will love these.  

From L-R, yours truly, Jenny, Lee, and Sue.  Some of the fine folks you'll meet at The Homer Bookstore.  Thanks for a great visit.  

River City Books - Soldotna, AK

River City Books, Soldotna, AK

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

When you visit Alaska, towns of any size can be few and far between.  You can literally drive for hours without seeing so much as a gas station or convenience store.  So when you see a gas station, you better fill it up.  When you see a convenience store, you better grab your beef jerky.  And when you see a bookstore, you better buy a book.

Such is the case for River City Books in Soldotna.  You'll have to drive awhile to find another bookstore so make this your bookstore destination.  The one-level store shares retail space with three other small businesses and the arrangement allows for lots of sharing of customers, a nice set-up for everyone.  The store was founded by its current and only owner, Peggy M.  The business began in about 1997 and is now in its 2nd location.  It has a high visibly location on the very busy Sterling Highway through town.

This indie offers all new books and I think they have a great inventory within their space.  I thought their books about Alaska and books by Alaskan authors were especially good.  Tourists will particularly enjoy seeing these.  Of course, the store couldn't have made it this long without a dedicated local customer base.  They have a few sidelines including greeting cards, journals, calendars, and magazines that will be very interesting for visitors in the area.  River City hosts events off-site at different venues and partners with these sites to provide the books.  

I didn't get to meet Peggy on this visit but I did meet the bookseller who was there and she told me a bit about the store and business.

When you go on your Alaskan tour, be advised that bookstores can be separated by great distances.  When you hit Soldotna, make River City Books one of your stops.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Unchangeable Spot Of Leopards, Kristopher Jansma.  The narrator wants to be a writer and his best friend is the better writer creating a rivalry between the two.  I thought the story meandered and the plot lost tempo (or I lost interest) as I got further along.  Meh.   

CURRENTLY READING:  Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman.  

The store shares space with three other small businesses, a great arrangement for the businesses and the customers.  

Enter the building's main entrance and turn left to the bookstore.  

View looking into the bookstore from its entrance.  

Alaska themed and regional books can be found here for all readers.  

View looking into the Fine Thyme Cafe right next to the bookstore.  

Tourists will enjoy many displays of books about Alaska.  

Magazines of regional interest.  

These magnetic finger puppets are popular at many indies.  

Recent and popular releases.  

Where else can you find a great, local Alaska cookbook?  Right here!

The long wall of books.  

A portion of the children's section.  

Another view of the children's section.  

Just about any kid could follow these directions.  

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

Where were these when I was in school?!

A nice section of books of local and regional interest.  

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Café - Anchorage, AK

The Writer's Block Bookstore & Café, Anchorage, AK

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

It is so refreshing to me when I get to visit newly opened bookstores around the country.  I've been fortunate to see many of these newbies and this one falls squarely (it's a block!  Get it?!) into that category.  A wonderful team of four women conceived an idea a few years ago of opening a bookstore in Anchorage.  Their vision required that the space have a cafe that offered beer, wine, coffee drinks, and food, an area for events including live music, and books.  Mission accomplished on all of those requirements and I think as this store evolves you'll see other things enter the picture.

The Block has only been open for about 7 months now.  It is enduring the growing pains and challenges that all new indies encounter but it is slowly starting to show some growth.  They offer all new books in a very attractive one-level setting.  They also have a few sidelines including some unique jewelry hand made by one of the store's own booksellers, Jessa.  As Vered, one of the store owners told me, there are lots of artists, writers, and musicians in Anchorage and Alaska and this store features works by many of them.  But the part of the business that is doing the best so far is the cafe.  Amber is one of the reasons for the cafe's success with her great work in the kitchen.  Everything offered is made from scratch and locally produced.  The versatile combinations of the store's business model is finally filling a void of something that's been missing in Anchorage.

The newness of the store means people are still discovering and hearing about it.  It's definitely a popular stop for artistic and creative talents of all mediums and they see many customers from the nearby military families.  Tourists are also finding their way here but the word will continue to spread about this indie.  They have a great location on the very busy Spenard Rd., between the airport and downtown and close to many nearby hotels.  In my opinion, this store is poised for a long, successful run.

I met Jessa, Amber, and 50% of the ownership, Vered and Kathy.  These people know their stuff and their combined talents are what make me very optimistic about their future.

Ok Anchorage, time to step-up.  I know you believe in "shop local'' and now you have a great place to do it.  Many of you haven't been here yet so time to check out this gem before the tourists beat you to it.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Woman In Cabin 10, Ruth Ware.  I'm late to the party on this one and now I understand the hype.  The mystery of a missing woman and possible murder but nobody on the small ship believes Lo, the protagonist, who insists something is wrong and that she isn't losing her mind.  The ending is very Dan Brown-esque with some of the unbelievable twists and the conclusion of the story has another unanswered mystery.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Unchangeable Spots Of Leopards, Kristopher Jansma. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Name Of The Wind, Patrick Rothfuss.

View looking into the store from the main entrance.  

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  

An overview and partial look at the cafe.  

Yes, yes, and yes.  Just try to resist one of these.  

Borealis Baubles made by Jessa, talented bookseller AND artisan.  

Some nice YA offerings.  

The area rug in the picture is on an elevated stage, a very nice events area.  

A few of the children's books available.  

The store has a good assortment of fiction, including many new and popular releases.  They'll continue to expand their inventory as the store evolves and grows.  

One of my favorite things about this store are all the wonderful places to sit.  Grab your coffee, pastry, a comfortable seat, and sample a book.  

Another cozy and comfy seating area.  Regular readers my recognize the celebrity lounging in this area.  Yes, that's my mom.  

All local and all available here at the cafe.  

Or consider some wine.  

I would strongly encourage you to find something on this menu and hang out.  This bookstore and cafe have a great vibe.  

Another overview of the store looking toward the front entrance.  

L-R in the front, Vered and Jessa.  And Kathy in the back, three of the wonderful people you'll meet at The Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe.  Thanks for a great visit.