Book Haven - Loveland, CO

Book Haven, Loveland, CO

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If you're an aspiring bookstore owner or maybe new to the profession and could just use some tips and advice I can think of no better person to ask than Barb H., the owner at Book Haven in Loveland, CO.  This delightful lady really has it figured out and it was really impressive to hear her many decisions in the bookstore business that all made sense to me.  She and her sister Ruthie founded this business that has been going strong for 15 years, the last 8 years in its current location.  As Barb told me, her background in business prior to the bookstore was valuable when she and Ruthie opened Book Haven.  Both of these ladies are EXACTLY the kind of people any indie owner and bookseller would want to talk to.  

And boy do they have customers.  7000 alone listed in the store's data base as regulars.  Book Haven offers new and used books all shelved together in a very bright and neatly organized space.  Barb spoke VERY highly of the Basil program she uses for her used books.  Very user friendly and Basil's customer support has been excellent for her.  This might be an option for used book stores looking for an inventory program.  Customers who bring in books receive store credit in exchange and this is something the store also does for puzzles which has been very successful.  If they acquire books that they can't use or don't sell, they have 16 local organizations that they donate them to.  Barb has been told that the store doesn't smell like a bookstore and there's a reason for that.  She wipes down every used book that comes in before it gets shelved.  Additionally, Book Haven offers greeting cards, mugs, note cards, and book marks all produced by the Colorado company, Leanin' Tress.

The family support for this bookstore doesn't end with the two sisters.  Ruthie's husband Sam was the one who made all the beautiful bookshelves lining the aisles.  Although Ruthie and Sam remain supportive, they're no longer involved in the day to day operation.

Ruthie however, has left a mark on the bookstore to the exasperation of her sister.  From Ruthie's small gift of two beanie babies, the store has grown to accumulate many shelves of beanie babies and beanie boo's.  Something that Ruthie finds quite humorous and now is kindly endured by Barb.  

So when you visit Book Haven, enjoy the books, notice the beanies, and if you're a bookstore worker, immerse yourself in a conversation with Barb, one of the best.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin.  Childhood friends Larry Ott and Silas Jones live in small-town Mississippi but they are different races which soon leads to a split in their friendship.  Larry is belittled, bullied, and ridiculed and grows into adulthood as a loner, accused of a horrific crime.  But when he is tragically shot as an adult, Silas must find a way to repair what was lost.  Outstanding book and highly recommended.  5-star all the way. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Essex Dogs, Dan Jones. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Ragged Company, Richard Wagamese.  The Quiet American, Graham Greene.  West With Giraffes, Lynda Rutledge. 

 

Spring is in the air in front of this beautiful storefront. 

 

A nice touch just outside the store. 

ALWAYS ask your bookstore about gift certificates and gift cards, one of the best gifts you can give. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Lots of unique bookmarks to pick from just inside the front door. 

These are only a few of the Beanie Babies and Beanie Boo's that started from the small seedling gift from Barb's sister Ruthie.  There are too many to fit into a complete group photo.  This group is just behind the checkout counter. 

Find a few of the greeting cards at the checkout counter. 

Many more greeting cards to the right after entering the store. 

You'll find many puzzles to choose from on the right side of the store. 

No where near reality. 

Note cards for any occasion. 

Mugs for any occasion!

You'll need some time to browse this aisle on the far left side. 

Metal wallets. 

View looking straight down the middle of the store, front to back. 

There are inspirational quotes on the walls throughout the store. 

If you're on a budget, head to this section. 

Partial view of the children's section. 

Another view of the children's section. 

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

A variety of classics. 

This is Sammy Boy, a regular customer.  He dashed into the store and sprinted around the counter straight to Barb.  He decided go with the treat instead of a book.

 

With Ruthie on the left and Barb in the middle, two of the fine people you'll meet at Book Haven.  Thanks for a great visit. 

The Midnight Oil Bookstore - Greeley, CO

The Midnight Oil Bookstore, Greeley, CO

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Every college town deserves at least one independent bookstore and FINALLY in Greeley, CO that position has been filled by The Midnight Oil Bookstore.  And this indie just has that "vibe" of a bookstore in a college town.  The University of Northern Colorado is located here and other than the professors the college community has been slow to find this beauty.  But I really think that will change in time.  After all, Midnight Oil is only 1 1/2 years old and only in its current location for about 8 months.  On the other hand, the store enjoys MANY devoted regulars and that will continue to grow along with new customers discovering this indie.  This is an example of yet another new bookstore off to a great start after the pandemic and I'm glad to hear that things are going so well.  

The Midnight Oil Bookstore offers mostly used books with a few new.  The used books are not on a data base but owner Pablo G. knows where to look in the store to find your book request.  For customers who bring their books in they offer store credit in return.  There are a few sidelines here including Tarot cards (they sell well), note books, and stickers to name just a few.  Throughout the store and in the book nooks you'll find many comfortable chairs to sit in to leisurely skim through books.  

When you visit this store take special note of the center pillars (see pictures below).  Each one is surrounded by a spiral stack of books from floor to ceiling, something I found to be quite remarkable.  I don't know how they did this but as Pablo told me it took them 15 hours to do just one.  Up close it would seem you could pull a book out of the spiral and watch the entire pile collapse but I can guarantee you these spirals are solid and there is no chance of that (unlike the spiral column of books in your TBR pile!).  

I was really impressed with Pablo and bookseller Cherry with the great work they're doing.  The highlights of my many visits are usually the people and that was true here.

Now it's YOUR turn, Greeley, to enjoy a terrific bookstore experience right under your noses.  Your wait is over and now you need to take a visit to this wonderful bookstore and get to know the kind and friendly people you'll meet there.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Leaving Berlin, Joseph Kanon.  A spy vs spy cold war, historical fiction thriller that takes place in 1949 Berlin.  Alex Meier is a Jewish German author of some renown who left Berlin for America before the war.  He comes back to Berlin as an undercover agent.  But in a city filled with communists, Russians, former Nazis, and Brits, it was a little hard for me to tell who was on who's side. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Nothing!  Everything was gifted!  The Raft, S. A. Bodeen.  Speciality popcorn and stickers.  Thanks Pablo!

An expansive storefront. 

The storefront offers abundant display window space. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  See the large stack of books?  That column by itself was 15 hours of work.  Impressive. 

Looking to the right from the front entrance. 

SAVA is the Sexual Assault Victim Center in Greeley.  This display exhibits books relevant to that topic.  Nicely done, Midnight Oil. 

Stickers are a hit everywhere. 

Closer look at the stack of books built around one of the stores' poles.  I can't even imagine the work involved. 

Left side of the store and a great place to sit and sample a book. 

Variety of beverages offered. 

Proceeding through the store.  Alert readers may recognize the Director of Operations for The Indie Bob Spot, Michelle T.  She is assisted by capable assistant Matty T.  

How do these not fall over?

Another great area to enjoy some quality time with a book. 

The book is always better than the movie, right?

Display of new books.  How many have you read?

Partial view of the children's area. 

An overview of the back area of the store. 

The store offers many perfect seating areas. 

Be sure to ask Pablo about the store reptiles. 

Proceed into the vault and check out the banned books. 

A nice display of a few of the cookbooks available. 

This large stack of books was constructed just like the spiral stacks around the columns.  Immovable!  

Continuing into the back two rooms of the store. 

National Geographic wall of covers. 

Can confirm a bathroom is available.  Not offered on Amazon. 

Looking into the very back room. 

Overview of the back room. 

Pick up a notebook and write about your visit to this terrific bookstore. 

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

Something for the Shakespeare fans. 

With Cherry on the left and Pablo on the right, two of the fine people you'll meet at The Midnight Oil Bookstore.  Thanks for a great visit.