The Indie Bob Spot

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Lake Country Booksellers - White Bear Lake, MN

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Think back to your school days, readers. Think back to that student who was in your room, the one you didn't really know. He or she was very quiet, didn't rock the boat, did all their school work, but that was all you knew. Until one day the student opened their mouth to speak and you very quickly came to know this person as one intelligent, well-informed individual. Among bookstores, Lake Country Booksellers is that student. You might not notice this indie when lined up with all the rest but once you do, it will be one that sticks in your mind.

Actually, there's no reason for this bookstore to be the unnoticed quiet kid. Heck, it's been around for 35 years and in independent bookstore years that's the equivalent of forever. It was originally founded by a group of women and although none of them are owners today, the store is still owned by a group of women. The fab four of Faith, Nancy, Susie, and Bert are the owners now and they're continuing a successful tradition of independent booksellers in White Bear Lake.

This one-level store has a great corner building location in downtown White Bear Lake, surrounded by many other independent businesses. It has a nice selection of new and used books and the used books are all donated. When a bookstore can acquire books through donations, it would seem to indicate strong community support of the business. This is all the more impressive here in a community of only 20,000+. There are very few sidelines here, but there are some especially nice ones that kids will enjoy. Some of these sidelines may change slightly through the year, like during the holiday season for example (December is one of their busiest months of the year). Just outside of the store is a weekly farmer's market during which there is always an author present to sign books. Author events are also held occasionally in the store and they also have access off-site for larger gatherings as when William Kent Krueger appears (his book Ordinary Grace is outstanding and I highly recommend it).

On the day of my visit I had a great talk with Bert, one of the owners. She told me a bit about the store and its history as well as her co-owners. And, of course, we talked about a lot of books, one of my favorite things to do with all owners and booksellers.

This is an easy trip just north of the Twin Cities. Easy to find, very visible, and free on-street parking. Readers, I'm doing everything but walk you there myself! Lots of times that quiet kid becomes your best friend. This could become your favorite bookstore. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING: My Real Children, Jo Walton.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Dr. Mütter's Marvels, Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz.

A wonderful exterior view.

The side of the building around to the left from the front view.

View looking to the left from the front entrance.

Looking straight through the store from the front entrance.

A hidden passageway of books on the far left of the store, behind the check-out counter.

A few of the greeting cards available here.

An attractive display of the recent releases.

Atop the shelves? Tulips!

Go to this area if you want to find a good used book.

Or check out this display for a bargain.

Some of the kid-friendly sidelines.

A nice section for local interests and local authors.

A portion of the children's section.

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

Check this board for upcoming events.

Check this board to see what the co-owners are reading.

With Bert, one of the fine co-owners at Lake Country Booksellers. Thanks for a great visit.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Scout & Morgan Books - Cambridge, MN

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Readers, I've made a life-changing decision that I want to share with you. I'm going to form a new political party made up entirely of bookstore owners and booksellers. They will make the rules of the country, run the schools, and dish out punishment (e.g. sending poopie heads to a corner to read a recommended book). Why would I do this? If you've ever met any of these people they are some of the best you can ever hope to meet. They are beyond nice; intelligent, knowledgeable, and kind to a fault. You'll find another perfect example of the "species" at Scout & Morgan Books. Judith K. is one of those owners you'll thoroughly enjoy meeting and talking to about books at this fine indie.

Scout & Morgan Books has a great location with a very spacious parking lot. The store shares building space with a coffeeshop right next door that you can get to from inside the bookstore, a great arrangement. Next to the coffeeshop on the other side is a natural foods grocery co-op. I think three businesses like this work well together. The parking lot is large enough to host a weekly farmer's market which is a great way to get customers close to the store and hopefully check it out, one of the reasons I think this is such a super location. It hasn't always been this way though. The store originated in a log cabin 13 years ago and was there for the first 5 years as Log Cabin Books. It soon outgrew that space and moved to its current location and was renamed Scout & Morgan Books, after two of Judith's rescue dogs.

Back at Log Cabin Books, you could only get used books but now at Scout & Morgan you can get new and used. Customers can get cash or store credit for their used books with store credit always being the better deal. You can also find some collectables and out-of-print books. There are a few sidelines here but Judith is particular about what she offers due to store space. The store is also active with author events held on-site.

I had a great chat with Judith during my visit and with her engaging personality it's easy to see why things are going so well. The customers come from Cambridge and the surrounding communities as well as a good mix of tourists and people who drive up from Minneapolis. Judith has seen a steady growth in business and like many other indie owners I meet, can feel a trend swinging back toward independent bookstores.

The next time you vacation in the Twin Cities, at some point you'll want to escape the rat race and kick back. Take a short drive north and meet a terrific bookstore owner at another one of our country's finest. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: The Ice Harvest, Scott Phillips. A short, quick read. The protagonist spends the first half of the book in bars and strip clubs. The last half he starts killing people to cover up his embezzling. This book was decent and the ending was a real twist.

CURRENTLY READING: My Real Children, Jo Walton.

RECENTLY PURCHASED: Black Out, John Lawton. The Lighthouse Road, Peter Geye.

A nice front window display, inside and out.

If you're in Minnesota and the weather is nice enough to offer books outside, take advantage!

A great view of the store looking in from the front entrance. This picture is full of celebrities. The owner, Judith K., is on the left preparing to make a sale to the eremitic luminary on the right in the white sweatshirt. Yes, that's my mom.

The store was named after two beloved dogs. This sign is a no-brainer!

A few of the greeting cards offered here.

Looking into the coffee shop that you can get to from inside the bookstore.

Near the front of the store.

A nice place to sit and take a book on a trial run!

Adult coloring books can be found in almost any bookstore. All the booksellers tell me these are selling really well. I'll stick to books.

Step through this door to find the bathrooms. Not available at Amazon.

Great view from the back of the store looking toward the front.

If you're a cat fan like my friend Duane V., you can find those books here.

With Judith K., the fine owner at Scout & Morgan. Thanks for a great visit.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Redbery Books - Cable, WI

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What are the odds? The odds that I can travel all over the country and never see anyone from Iowa, let alone my hometown of Cedar Rapids. Yet in the tiny town of Cable, WI, (population 825) visiting Redbery Books, I meet a bookseller from, gasp, Cedar Rapids, IA! Another wonderful coincidence as I visit this country's independent bookstores. A better question you might have is how does a town of 825 in remote northern Wisconsin have a successful independent bookstore? Not as unbelievable as you might think.

As with all indies, this one enjoys many contributing factors making it a successful business. They have a great set-up here and they share their building with two very compatible businesses; a grocery/cafe where you can get a cup of coffee and pick up small natural foods grocery items; and The Rivers Eatery, a pizza place located in the back of the building. You can move freely about all three businesses and they all enjoy an over-lapping of customers. Maureen, the owner, recently purchased the business from Bev. B. The bookstore has been around for 10 years so Bev has obviously laid a great foundation. I had a great chat with Maureen and with her library background there's no reason Redbery Books can't continue to be a successful indie. Cable is a resort area that attracts people from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis and naturally these people are used to visiting bookstores. The area also attracts many silent sports enthusiasts who enjoy kayaking, cross-country skiing, biking and more. These people also visit bookstores. The summer months bring a huge influx of tourists who need a bookstore. Throw in many local festivals and an already solid base of local customers and you have a "perfect storm" for success.

I know some of you who read this will be doubters. Doubt no more. This indie has EVERYTHING you'll find in all the good ones, no matter what size of town it's in. New and used books? Check. Recent releases? Check. Coloring books and wine events? Check (but good luck staying inside those lines!). Kids section? Check. Website that allows on-line orders? Check (and free shipping too!). Knowledgeable and friendly staff? The best!

Maureen, Susan, and Sarah were wonderful to talk to during my visit. But I have a feeling everyone in Cable already knows this. I have a lot of kayaking friends who like books. I've just found their next destination. Discover Cable, WI and discover the greater bookstore there that has it all. Go to an indie and buy a book. Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED: Fourth Of July Creek, Smith Henderson. A social worker in remote Montana deals with destitute and neglected children as well as his divorced wife and runaway daughter who make his own life situation as needy as the families he deals with. A good read and this one gets a lot of good reviews.

CURRENTLY READING: The Ice Harvest, Scott Phillips.

Hang a right at this sign and you're in!

A nice outside display.

Outside window display.

Looking to the left as you enter the store. This is a portion of the cafe and natural foods grocery.

Looking to the right as you enter the store. Devoted followers might recognize the reclusive celebrity looking at the wall of books. Yes, that's my mom.