Inklings Used Books - Sheboygan, WI

Inklings Used Books, Sheboygan, WI

 

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The word "Inklings," comes from a group of British authors who used to gather as a group for discussion and conversation.  Amy B., the store manager, told me that she doesn't have a store mission statement but she felt that the "Inklings" who gathered as authors should extend to readers.  To visit a bookstore, even if you don't buy anything, is to experience joy, an uplifting of spirit, and leaving with a better overall feeling.  I couldn't agree more and this is what I've been trying to convey from my 494 previous bookstore visits  And even though those previous 494 might not articulate it like this, they would all agree with this if it were indeed the mission statement.  Just like all my other visits, it gave me the same boost after leaving Inklings Used Books in Sheboygan.

Inklings Used Books is the continuation of a bookstore named Dear Old Books that was located in nearby Plymouth.  The business relocated to an attractive area along the Sheboygan River thanks to Amy's mother Lois who is the store owner.  They've been open less than a year and they haven't even held their grand opening yet.  When you visit here you'll find a well-organized, expansive one-level with a great view of the river.  The store offers all used books, some vintage and collectible editions, a few antiques, and some locally made crafts.  This is something Amy hopes to expand in the future.  Lois isn't involved in the day to day operation but enjoys picking up books at garage sales and estate sales.  For customers who bring books in, they'll receive store credit.  They have an especially good children's aisle that includes many older works like The Wizard of Oz series and the Mary Poppins series (yes, this is a series).  Most of the books available here are for $6 or less, very affordable.  

This location is a vibrant summer tourist area but local customers are still finding out about Inklings.  Surprisingly, many of the regulars from Plymouth haven't discovered Inklings yet.  Good grief, its only a stone's throw away!  Don't let the new name fool you.  Resume your regular customership and enjoy a visit to a wonderful bookstore and a terrific manager (and a recovering English teacher!) who will leave you with that joyful Inklings spirit after your visit.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed, Helene Tursten.  Maud reminisces about a series of events as she travels from her home in Sweden for a vacation in South Africa.  She's 88 and usually up to no good, especially if she thinks you're an idiot or a bad person.  I enjoyed this book and also would recommend, An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good by the same author. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Afterlife of Billy Fingers, Annie Kagan. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Reader, Bernhard Schlink.  Warmed By Windchill, Jeffery L. Tucker.  Three Comrades, Erich Maria Remarque.  The Horse Lover, H. Alan Day. 

This picture shows the store exterior, located in the left building. 

This entrance is between the two attached buildings.  Enter here...

...then enter through this door immediately to the left and you'll be in the bookstore. 

Check out the store hours. 

In the hallway outside of the bookstore you'll see the sign from the bookstore that was in Plymouth, Dear Old Books.  This is the same bookstore, different name. 

View looking into the store from the entrance.  After you enter through here there are two sections of the store, one to the left and one to the right. 

This is the section of the store to the left.  Originally, the store was going to be in this space only.  But they were able to get the room to the right (seen below) for a very good deal.  

This is the section of the store to the right. 

 

Locally made candles, just inside the front door. 

Is the book better than the movie? 

Find out about the Inklings, a group of British authors that inspired the stores' name. 

Do you know someone who enjoys JFK collectibles?  Send them here. 

Some of the local crafts offered just inside the front door.  Amy is hoping to expand this part of the business. 

If you know any Teddy Roosevelt history buffs, send them here. 

Another view looking into the room on the right. 

The store carries some used comic books, especially Superman. 

If you want to read in German, Inklings has you covered. 

A wonderful place to sit with a book and a view. 

If you're interested in British Lit, you'll find it here. 

Before I began this journey, these were the books that kept me busy. 

I could get comfy here trying out a book. 

Looking across the bookstore from the right room to the left room. 

Consider a goal of reading the Harvard Classics. 

An overview looking toward the entrance while Amy fills a book order. 

Just a few of the vintage books available. 

With Amy, the fine bookstore manager at Inklings Used Books.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Reads By The River - Waterford, WI

Reads By The River, Waterford, WI

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Regular followers of this blog know of my admiration for successful bookstores in small towns.  Every time I see one I always ask the same two questions in my mind.  1) How do they do it? and, 2) Why the h*ll doesn't every town have an independent bookstore?  If a town of approximately 5000 like Waterford, WI can do it ANYONE can (if you live in a similar-sized town and it doesn't have a bookstore and you're reading this, go for it).  Of course, it helps if you're someone like Kelly K. and her husband, the owners of Reads By The River.  Kelly is the ideas and creativity talent of the store and her engineer husband is the perfect complement to that bringing those ideas to life in the store's interior including the very impressive Kids' Cottage.  If you decide to open a bookstore in a small town I hope you have the same experience as Kelly.  A very cooperative local business community, helpful suggestions from other bookstore owners and booksellers, an excellent location on the downtown main street, and a community ready to fully embrace and support something that had long been absent.  That's how it all came together in Waterford and how it should work in any town. 

Reads By The River just opened in December 2021 and it sprinted out of the gates with long lines of holiday customers waiting to enter.  Kelly has done an excellent job curating the store, both books and sidelines.  I can't believe the variety of sidelines given the small, one-level space.  The store offers all new books and the sidelines have been selling very well.  The best of those include the stickers, Warmies (soft stuffed animals that have a lavender scent when heated), and unique book cover coasters, something I hadn't seen until now.  They are already in the process of setting up a regular children's story time, they have the flexibility to partner with local businesses for some events, and they hosted a successful Valentine's Day couples event.  All this in four short months.  Remarkable.  

Citizens of Waterford you've been blessed with a wonderful bookstore with a fantastic owner.  Your job is to continue to support this indie in the years ahead.  Lead the way for other small communities and maybe they'll enjoy the same experience some day.  Buy local, shop local.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  A Column Of Fire, Ken Follett.  3rd book in the Kingsbridge series.  Historical fiction based on actual events and people during the Elizabethan era in Europe.  This book had me looking up events and people as I read that really brings this book to life.  These were difficult times with the Inquisition and the persecution of Catholics and Protestants, depending on who was in charge.  Love this author and love this series.  Recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed, Helene Tursten. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The House In The Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune.  Long-sleeve Reads By The River t-shirt. 

The view of the building from the bridge. 

The Fox River. 

Beautiful storefront. 

View looking into the store from the front door.  This space has housed many businesses over the years.

The left side of the store.  The one thing they didn't need to get was the ladder.  It came with the store. 

Attractive display inside the front entrance. 

View looking directly to the right after entering and a portion of the cooking books available. 

Two great places to sit in the front of the store looking out the large front window. 

A full table display of new releases. 

Display of BookTok recommendations. 

This staff favorites display really resonated with me because several of these were also some of my favorites. 

Toward the back of the store you'll find a nice place to sit, sip, read, and enjoy the view. 

View of the river from the coffee counter in the store. 

A few of the greeting cards available. 

One of the former businesses was a bait and sporting goods store.  The canoe came with the store, like the ladder. 

You won't find socks like these anywhere else so if you see a pair you like, get them. 

I thought these were really cool.  Coasters with book covers created by a local artist. 

I've enjoyed being in bookstores many times when I've seen this.  The arrival of the new books. 

Kelly's husband did a fantastic job creating this kids' area. 

Looking into the Kids' Cottage. 

Inside the Kids' Cottage. 

These are called Warmies.  These cuddly stuffed animals will emit a lavender scent after heating them up.  I think adults might go for these too!

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

Like it. 

I've seen the popular bookstore candles but not sure I've seen bookstore seasonings based on book titles. 

Stickers are hot everywhere I go.  Find these at the checkout counter. 

With Kelly, the fine owner at Reads By The River.  Thanks for a great visit.