Stillwater Books - Pawtucket, RI

Stillwater Books, Pawtucket, RI

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Regular readers know how often I expound on the amazing talents of booksellers and owners across the country.  I often refer to them as rock stars or super heroes and I truly mean that.  Up to this point  I've never met any wearing a superman cape but if there were ever two who are worthy, it would be the husband/wife co-owners Dawn and Steve P. at Stillwater Books.  They came to the rescue for the fine folks in Pawtucket with their wonderful bookstore 1 1/2 years ago.  They performed this super hero feat of opening a bookstore and filling a void that had been missing for 25 years.  I'm also happy to say that with this indie I continue to see a trend of successful new bookstores.  Way to go, Dawn and Steve!

But their talents don't end with just the opening of a bookstore.  Along with the bookstore they are the owners of Stillwater River Publications and are also the founders of the Association of Rhode Island Authors.  All three of these are under one business umbrella which confirms what I see that bookstore owners are very creative and flexible with their business model.  As publishers, they've published over 200 books by local authors.  These relationships can be found throughout the store by the many books offered that are written by these authors.

The one-level store has a great corner location in downtown Pawtucket.  It is adjacent to a very busy bus stop which brings in some of the customers.  They offer new and used books along with an assortment of sidelines including greeting cards, earrings, and regional items.  Different from other stores with used books, Stillwater acquires their books from estate sales, library sales, and other similar methods instead of taking in books from customers.  The results are a very well-curated store of used books, most of which are in superb condition.  If you can't visit the store in person you have the option of ordering online.  Still don't see what you're looking for?  Be patient.  Many books are in storage and not displayed in the store yet.

This store is one of the 2019 Best of Rhode Island.  Pay them a visit and find out why.  Two knowledgeable and friendly owners in a wonderful bookstore offering an experience that you won't find online.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Educating Esmé: Diary Of A Teacher's First Year, Esmé Raji Codell.  Candid and inspiring personal account of the author's first year teaching Chicago fifth-graders.  Anyone who has ever taught will identify with the challenging student, the shy student, an incompetent principal, and little parental support.  At times funny and at times maddening because of the system all teachers are up against.  Very relevant.  I really liked this book and this first-year teacher really had her stuff together. It's a very quick read.  Highly recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Libra, Don DeLillo.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Providence Rag, Bruce DeSilva.

I couldn't resist this picture, a beautiful building that is part of the Pawtucket Library.  This is very close to the bookstore so consider visiting here as well.  

The bookstore sits on a great corner location.  

Just inside the front door you'll see the logo and a variety of magazines.  

Looking to the right from the front entrance.  

After entering you'll go to the right and then this will be your view looking through the store.  

Nice display of relevant regional topics just inside the entrance.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

I was curious about this shirt and who Ben Mondor was.  He was the long-time owner of the Pawtucket Red Sox, AAA affiliate for the Boston Red Sox.  They have a long history in Pawtucket but now the affiliate has been moved to Worchester, MA, leaving an emptiness in what seems to me a very good baseball town.  Hence the t-shirt.  

These bookshelves located near the front of the store are mostly new books.  

Items of local and regional interest.  

Cold drinks AND snacks?  Yes please, as I try out a book.  

The store has an excellent sports section with many items relevant to New England.  

This is Patriots country.  This would be a great gift idea for a Pats fan who likes jigsaw puzzles.  

You can't go wrong with a bin of .99 books.  

Or with these bargain priced decorating books.  

See the blue tabs in this picture?  You'll find them throughout the store in every section.  They designate books by local authors.  This is a great way to find them.  

Display of books by local authors.  

Nice assortment of fiction.  

A great place to sit with your cold drink and your next book.  

An assortment of Melissa and Doug items for the kids.  

Partial view of the children's section.  

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

Have you heard about the 33 inning game played by the Pawtucket Red Sox?  This great book tells the story.  

An award-winning bookstore.  

These earrings are not for cats or dogs, they're for people.  Just to clarify.  

With Steve on the left and Dawn in the middle, the fine co-owners at Stillwater Books.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Symposium Books - Providence, RI

Symposium Books, Providence, RI

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This bookstore puts out a very hip and urban vibe.  It has the feel of a bookstore in a large city downtown, surrounded by lots of bustle and lots of energy.  Walk down the street where it's located and you can feel NYC, Boston, or Chicago.  And this indie in Providence is just as hip as any you find in those cities.  Best of all, even though it has been here for 14 years, showing steady growth, and doing well, I think its best days are still to come.  As Scott M., the co-owner along with his wife Anne Marie told me, this downtown area is rapidly changing and will include transitioning to downtown living.  Hopefully, this will bring more business and growth to the store, a wonderful opportunity for Symposium.  If you think its hip now, check back in a few years.

This one-level indie offers a great inventory of new, used, and remaindered books along with new and used music on vinyl.  They are also just starting to dabble in collectable and vintage books.  One of the things I like here is that they have all the used books on a data base so they know what they have.  The store offers store credit or cash for good used books and vinyl.  They cover all the genres here but I thought their graphic novels, art books, and cooking related books were especially good.  Of course, their vinyl offerings were outstanding including LPs of some of my favorites, The Beatles and Steely Dan.  They only started offering vinyl 4 years ago and that portion of the business has certainly grown.  There are a few sidelines here including greeting cards (these sell very well), Providence and Rhode Island touristy items, t-shirts, and magnets to name a few.

This store's locations allows for great foot traffic and also enjoys customers from the many college communities in Providence.  They're also seeing out-of-towners who find their way through the doors.  You won't be able to park on the busy street in front of the store but public parking is easily accessible and close.

I didn't get to meet Anne Marie but had a great time meeting Scott and talking to him.  Scott was terrific to talk to and he did a great job of it while helping MANY customers who were in the store on the day of my visit.

So take a stroll around downtown Providence and tucked in among a lot of large buildings you'll find a cozy bookshop with lots of selections.  There's no way you can leave here empty-handed.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Killers Of The Flower Moon, David Grann.  This is one of those stories that has been swept aside due to the passage of time and I knew nothing about it.  True story of the mysterious deaths of the Osage Indians in the 1920s.  Their reservation was located on a large oil reserve and the white people tried to take advantage.  Justice was slow but J. Edgar Hoover was just beginning his career as head of the FBI and that's when things began to change.  This book is outstanding and offers a great insight to a chapter of Native American history.  Highly recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Behind Her Eyes, Sarah Pinborough.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Slaves Of Solitude, Patrick Hamilton.  Blood Done Sign My Name, Timothy B. Tyson.  

Another view of the store front and some of the bargains you can check out before you enter.  

Boy, do they!  And they sell too!

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

View looking directly left from the front entrance.  This is where you'll start your browsing for music on vinyl.  

View looking to the right from the front entrance.  Intrepid readers may recognize the celebrity to the left in the picture.  Yes, that's my mom.  

A well-displayed new release table.  

You will find some great bargains in the vinyl bins.  

A great place to sit and test drive a book.  

A long wall of bookshelves and one of the reasons you'll be here awhile.  

This store has a good display of graphic novels.  

This center of the store display features some vintage books.  

I really like their genre signs on each aisle.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

Another great table display of new arrivals.  

Check out some of the board games available.  

The store has a good inventory of cooking related books, look for this section.  

Overview of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance.  Much of the store isn't visible in this picture and sits off to the left.  

One of the several book aisles.  

Don't forget to check the fruit at the top of the trees!

Lots of great magnets.  

A portion of the children's section.  

Another customer service offered at many independent bookstores.  

With Scott on the right, one of the fine co-owners at Symposium Books.  Thanks for a great visit.