Baine's Books & Coffee - Appomattox, VA

 

Baine's Books & Coffee, Appomattox, VA

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If you're a Civil War buff, sooner or later you'll probably pay a visit to Appomattox, VA to relive, read, and experience the history surrounding the end of the Civil War.  When you make this visit it will be an absolute must that you drop in and see Baine's Books & Coffee, right downtown on Main St.  Appomattox is a small town of approximately 1800 and this business is another part of the town's identity.  It is the perfect complement to the region's history and for those who come here on bus tours it should be part of the itinerary.  Clearly, owner Bryan B. has done a super job of maintaining the historical integrity of the store's space that really adds a lot for any customer's visit.

Baine's Books & Coffee has been in business for 17 years, a remarkable run in a town this size.  Obviously, the business is largely impacted by tourism.  But, as Bet, one of the staffers told me, she serves a large number or regulars in the cafe and can usually start on their drinks when they come through the door.  And you know the business is doing well when Bryan is able to open two more Baine's Books & Coffee stores in nearby Scottsville and Amherst.  Nicely done.

The cafe is a big part of the business offering coffee drinks, specialty drinks, and baked goods.  They also do a busy lunch service and as Bet told me, that's when the rush comes.  You'll love browsing books in a historical space, complete with creaking wood floors.  They offer some new but its mostly used books.  Bring in your good used books and you'll receive store credit for future use.  In addition to the books and cafe, the store has a real music vibe.  If you're a music fan, you'll see musical instruments in addition to music on vinyl and CDs.  They even have a weekly open mic night that usually features live music. 

I didn't get to meet Bryan on this day but meeting Bet was a highlight of my visit.  She was an absolute delight to meet and I enjoyed her wonderful conversation telling me about the store.  Sadly for Baine's, she'll be off to college soon but I'm certainly glad that my journey brought me to Baine's while she was still here.

Civil War buffs, history buffs, bookstore travelers, it's all here.  Make sure that you include Baine's Books & Coffee on your visit and enjoy the experience of a successful and long-running bookstore on your tour of this region.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

 JUST FINISHED:  The Authenticity Project, Clare Pooley.  This is a book that would be a great movie for the Hallmark channel.  A retired and widowed artist decides to write a few lines in a notebook, life advice and regrets, and then leaves it abandoned soon to be picked up by someone else who writes an entry in the notebook and leaves it abandoned.  And on it goes.  Kind of a traveling diary that eventually connects everyone who contributed leading to friendships, romances, and positive life changes. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Appomattox: Victory, Defeat, and Freedom At The End of The Civil War, Elizabeth R. Varon. 

One of the easiest bookstores for me to find with this dominant signage on Main St. 

Historical storefront. 

A perfect display window. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the right from the front entrance. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance and a partial view of the cafe seating area. 

A timpani makes a good display table. 

Head to the right side of the store and let the browsing begin. 

A fraction of the Civil War books available. 

Just a few of the items of local and regional interest. 

The guitar and banjo are here, all you need to bring is your talent. 

A great use for two bass drums (Of course, I never would've said this in my former life).  Not sure I've seen bass drum display tables. 

Looking for a classic?  They've got you covered. 

You can find southern literature throughout the store. 

Lots of music on vinyl to browse. 

Books and... SAXOPHONES!  Yes, for sale. 

A variety of baked items are available. 

Partial view of the children's area. 

Another angle of the children's area. 

Overview of the store's main floor looking from the back toward the front door. 

On your way up the stairs to the 2nd floor is a mezzanine level with this group room.  A nice space available by reservation. 

The mezzanine level. 

View looking into the 2nd level, the upstairs reading room.  This is a quiet space, no cell phone zone.  You can get some serious reading done here. 

Some great places to sit and browse, on the 2nd floor. 

Another overview of the upstairs reading room. 

Was there a marching band in the upstairs quiet room??

With Bet, one of the fine staffers you'll meet at Baine's Books & Coffee.  Thanks for a great visit. 

A New Chapter - Lewisburg, WV

 

A New Chapter, Lewisburg, WV

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So, you want to open a bookstore?  Ok, here's what you do.  Decide if you have the determination and wherewithal David and his wife did when they opened A New Chapter.  Move from your home to a small town where nobody knows you.  Make sure it's no larger than approximately 3000 people.  Pick out a random empty store for sale and declare, let's buy it and open a bookstore.  Make sure you're old enough to be retired from your professional career that has nothing to do with bookstores.  When your store opens your credit card reader doesn't work and you have no back-up so your only way to make a sale is to accept cash only.  Naturally, nobody has cash and many customers were ready to buy books.  So the owner tells the customers, take the books and come back and pay me later.  WHAT?!!  Yes, just take the books and pay later.  David's faith was rewarded and all the books were paid for.  Brilliant move not taught in any business classes.  Try that one in NYC.   

And now A New Chapter is 4 years old in a great corner location downtown, diagonal from the visitor's center.  This beautiful space offers all new books and a good variety of sidelines including greeting cards, goofy socks, and unique designer bow ties made of feathers.  The store used to only offer puzzles during the holidays but they sold so well they're now offered year round.  They offered curbside service during the pandemic and as David told me, if people will go pick up a pizza, they'll do the same for a book.  Spot on.   

Harper is in a bookstore surrounded by loving fans, escape is futile. 

David's second best decision after opening the store was to bring on Shaye as the store's co-owner.  She is doing a great job with social media, curating the shelves, events, and future store plans.  When David brought Shaye on board it included the bookstore dog in training, Harper. What a loveable, friendly store mascot.  Events are held in the store or at the nearby Carnegie Hall for larger crowds.  The store is also in the process of acquiring a wine license so expect to see that served in the store sometime soon.  Best of all, the store has seen  continued monthly growth ever since opening, thanks to tourists and locals alike.  

Harper was born to do this.  She's already got the nice and friendly part down. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Have you seen those state best bookstore lists that come out periodically?  In West Virginia, this store needs to be ranked highly on the list.  The state has some fine independent bookstores, but not many better than this.  Enjoy this gem, Lewisburg.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  The Afterlife of Billy Fingers, Annie Kagan. 

CURRENTLY READING:  The Authenticity Project, Clare Pooley. 

 

A great corner location on the busiest street in town. 

Lots of window display space. 

Well said. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the right from the front entrance. 

A welcomed display for people who sit on their reading glasses or sunglasses. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance. 

Several sideline items located near the front of the store and on the left. 

Get one of these cards and then take it home and plant it.  Watch what happens. 

Just wait until you meet this charmer.  Notice the blurred tail?  She's always happy!

Bookstore candles can be found here. 

Display of new releases. 

Bookstore socks sell well in every indie I visit. 

Regional display of children's books. 

When Harper isn't selling books, she's playing.  Or napping. 

A wonderful promotion I've seen in many stores. 

This is what one of the "blind date" books looks like. 

Yes, you'll need one of these totes for all the books you'll get. 

Jigsaw puzzles are a popular seller. 

Harper takes a break.  Some of you will undoubtedly recognize the hand of Indie Bob's director of operations, Michelle T. 

A New Chapter has an active events schedule. 

Overview of the children's area. 

You'll find the children's section in the right rear corner. 

Gamers will like this section. 

They also have "blind date with a book" for YA readers. 

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

Yes, another picture of Harper because she's irresistible. 

You might as well enjoy a coffee while you're here. 

There are a wide variety of wonderful sidelines throughout the store. 

From L-R:  Shaye, Harper, and David, the fine folks you'll meet at A New Chapter.  Thanks for a great visit.