Flyleaf Books - Chapel Hill, NC

Flyleaf Books - Chapel Hill, NC

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Independent bookstore owners are amazing people.  They are able to work bookstore magic by literally turning any previous business or structure into a bookstore.  I've seen it all over the country with places like churches, schools, theaters, old houses and mansions, and auto garages that all have been shaped into new lives as bookstores.  And now I've seen a gym/fitness center changed into a spacious, beautiful bookstore.  The room with the wooden floor that was the aerobics room is now home to the used books and the events hall.  The only workouts in this space are the heavy lifting of new books out of their boxes.

Flyleaf Books has been here for 6 years now and has seen steady business growth each year, a great sign at this indie.  That growth is thanks to a strong local customer base and a culture in the community that values education, reading, and books.  It also helps that there are several universities in close proximity, many of which offer MFA programs in creative writing, literature, and similarly related subjects.  That would partially explain the high concentration of bookstores in the triangle region of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill).

Jamie F., the owner along with her husband, told me the inspiration for her store was Books & Books in Coral Gables, FL.  You can see that with the beautiful dark brown shelves around the store as well as the lighting and table displays.  Their space allows many of the books to be displayed face out which I always enjoy seeing.  This really helps sell the books and makes browsing even easier.  The store has a good variety of sidelines, many of them quite unique.  Erica E. has done a nice job of this.  Flyleaf is also very active with events, held on-site but with the option of larger venues off-site if needed.  You'll also find a nice selection of used books.  They're particular about the books they take but customers will receive store credit for the books they bring in.  There are several places around the store to sit and read and you don't have to worry about your time because the parking is free in the lot outside of the store.  

The staff I talked to including Jamie, Lane J., Erica, and Banshion S. were fantastic and so patient to talk with me during my visit.  Naturally, I received more book suggestions than I know what to do with.  Lane shared with me what might be one of my favorite things about Flyleaf.  The showers from the gym are still here so go ahead and take that run at lunch time.  Return to the bookstore, take a shower so as not to offend customers or co-workers, and then spend the rest of the day selling books.  Maybe Flyleaf Books should consider renting bedrooms?!

There's a reason this indie is one of many featured in Ron Rice's, My Bookstore.  You need to visit for yourself and find out why.  You won't be disappointed.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Andy & Don, Daniel de Visé.  Newly released bio of Andy Griffith and Don Knotts.  It's also a bio of "The Andy Taylor Show."  I absolutely loved this book because I'm a big Mayberry fan.  If you loved that show with Andy and Barney, you'll thoroughly enjoy this book.  Highly recommended.

CURRENTLY READING:  Lore, Rachel Seiffert.   

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Night Train, Clyde Edgerton.  

The shopping begins before even entering the store.  

Looking straight through the store from the front entrance.  

Looking to the left from the front entrance.  I don't know if the picture can truly convey how much space they have here.  

Lots of sidelines here and for those of us who step on, sit on, and otherwise mangle reading glasses, this is a welcome display.  

A few of the greeting cards available, right inside the entrance.  

A nice display of various sidelines.  

There are several attractive table displays in the store.  

Here are a few of the events you missed in October.  Don't worry, you'll always have lots of events to pick from in the future.  

Another nice view of the store.  

This store has a very comfortable atmosphere and these chairs make it easy to sit and read.  

If you can't find a book on one of the table displays, take a look on the shelves that line the walls.  

A few of the staff recommendations.  

Notice the wooden floor in the used book room.  This was a group exercise room in its former life.  

Another view of the same room.  Notice the wheels under the bookshelves.  This room is easily converted into a large events room, most of which stretches beyond the bookshelves to the right.  

A portion of the children's section.  

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

Another view of the events space from the front of the room.  Toward the back of this room are the used books.  

Here are the rock stars at Flyleaf.  From L-R, the groupie, Jamie, Lane, Erica, and Banshion.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Letters Bookshop - Durham, NC

Letters Bookshop - Durham, NC

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People, I want you to read the following passage in quotation marks using the voice in your head that sounds like a creaky, raspy old man.  "Why, back in MY day, we never visited any shiny and bright used bookstores.  No, the ones we visited were dark, we couldn't even see what we were buying, and cats were running rampant.  There were cobwebs and everything smelled musty and moldy.  The books were water-logged and they had coffee mug stains.  And there wasn't any new-fangled art work on the walls.  There was dust everywhere and by God, that's the way we LIKED it."  Letters Bookshop is a predominantly used book store.  But it breaks every used bookstore stereotype in, well, the book.  Trust me, when you visit this indie you won't believe it's a used bookstore.

This place wasn't on my radar until Helen at Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh told me I needed to visit Land A., the owner, and his bookstore in downtown Durham.  Thank goodness she did and she's right, this place is beautiful.  I've been to a lot of used book stores, some lack organization, some have that "book" smell (which I don't mind at all), but Letters Bookshop has none of that.  This place is very bright and airy, lots of room to move around and very browser friendly.  The organization is excellent and for those who worry about that used book store smell, there isn't one.  Although it is labeled as a used bookstore, they do have a couple of displays of new book releases.  But make no mistake, this is definitely a used bookstore.

The store is less than two years old and is still finding its way.  There are very few sidelines, rarely host author events, and have a small staff.  David B., a bookseller and the only employee besides the owner, Land A., told me it is all a progression here.  This store will continue to evolve and shape itself to include many things associated with successful independent bookstores.  They're continuing to identify their customer base which is largely local.  They are very particular about the books they acquire and have many avenues to do so.  Book sales, estate sales, Friends of The Library, and individual customers are just a few of their sources.  For customers, they offer store credit for books in good condition.   I can tell they're picky because the books here look great.

I didn't get to meet Land during my visit but I understand he has a great background in the bookstore business.  I did meet David though and he was great to talk to about the store and the success it is enjoying so far.  The talent these two have is obvious when you visit this store and look around.  Letters Books has a great future and you need to see it now to be a part of its beginning.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  I Am Pilgrim, Terry Hayes.  This book is not for the faint of heart.  Chilling.  Fiction but doesn't take a leap to imagine this happening.  A muslim extremist is determined to take down America and his plan to do so is scary.  America's only chance is the best covert operative we have.  Highly recommended.

CURRENTLY READING:  Andy & Don, Daniel de Visé.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier.

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

View looking to the left from the entrance.  

And a close-up from the above picture of what would be my favorite spot.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

Attractive display of featured fiction.  Have you read any of these?  

Find your bargain here.  

Lots of regional authors and interests.  

Yes, you can find staff pick displays at used bookstores.  

A nice view of the long wall of books and displayed artwork above the shelves.  

A table of featured non-fiction books.  

A portion of the children's section.  

View from the back of the store looking toward the front. Lots of space to move around, attractive and neat.  

The opposite wall of books, non-fiction.  

Look for some great bargains at this display.  

An indie trademark, offering locally made items.  

With David on the right.  Thanks for a great visit.  

The Regulator Bookshop - Durham, NC

The Regulator Bookshop - Durham, NC

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I love visiting independent bookstores that are located in college towns.  They have a vibe and feel of something associated with advanced learning.  An air of academia where you can discover and learn all sorts of things.  I just feel smarter when I walk into one of these places and that's how I felt when I walked into The Regulator Bookshop in Durham.

It's no surprise I felt this way because this place is established.  It's been around since 1976 (when Tom C., one of the owners, told me this he added that this is since before I was born.  Thank you!  No wonder they get a lot of customers!) so they know what they're doing.  I'm always curious how indies with this kind of longevity have survived all those challenges of the chain stores, the internet, and Amazon.  According to Tom, they just adapt and change, exactly what all the successful ones have done.  They have a great location near Duke University and attract customers from that community including professors, grad students, parents, and summer camp attendees.  They also draw from nearby families which explains the nice children's department here.

The store has a main level and lower level where they hold their author events.  You can find new and used books here but they are very particular about the books they buy back.  If they buy your books back you'll receive store credit.  They also offer book remainders, extra books sent from publishers and sold at reduced prices.  The store offers some sidelines and there are some especially good ones for kids.  They don't sell music but there is a great place right next door called Hunky Dory that you should check out.  They looked like they have a great collection of vinyl.  One of my favorite things about this store is s series of events they have called, "Community Conversations," or as Tom says, "let's talk about things we don't want to talk about."  These in-store conversations are based on books such as Ta-Nehisi Coates', Between The World And Me, or Atul Gawande's, Being Mortal (I've read both and they are great).  Current books about currently evolving issues.  I think these conversations are a great way to help educate and inform a community as well as helping them to move forward.  Another example of indie community involvement and another way to bring people into the store.

On the day of my visit I had a great talk with Tom and John, the co-owners as well as the booksellers.  Everyone was wonderful to talk to and I learned so much that I felt like I was talking to bookstore professors.  I don't know if I can pass the test, but these guys sure do.  If you visit Duke University and can't get a ticket to a basketball game, no worries.  The real action is on the shelves of this fantastic indie.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  I Am Pilgrim, Terry Hayes.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Secret Game, Scott Ellsworth.  Irrationally Yours, Dan Ariely.

Another exterior view.  

Looking through the store from the front entrance.  

This small room is directly to the left of the front entrance.  You'll find a wide assortment of magazines in this room.  

Look for this side room for a nice variety of greeting cards.  

The staff recommendations display.  

See what the reading groups and book clubs are reading.  

Display of the bestsellers here at The Regulator.  

Some of the sidelines available that the kids will enjoy.  

A partial view of the children's section.  

A unique display of books in the store on a "book cart."  

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

This is the lower level, a nice event space area.  

A perfect built-in podium for the authors.  

Another view of the lower level.  

With the co-owners, Tom in the center and John on the right.  Thanks for a great visit.