Novel Bay Booksellers - Sturgeon Bay, WI

Novel Bay Booksellers, Sturgeon Bay, WI

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Door County in northern Wisconsin is a nationally recognized and popular tourist attraction for many people.  In the summers.  So what does Indie Bob do?  Heck, why visit Sturgeon Bay in the summer with all the sane and normal people when he can go on a cold winter day, with a wind chill below zero (for a visual understanding, look at the above picture)?!  That's exactly what I did and when you enter this beautiful bookstore, it exudes a warmth from its beautiful interior and its fine owners that will make you quickly forget the Wisconsin tundra on the outside.

I'm not sure how things could be going any better here.  Since this store opened a year and a half ago, everything has fallen into place quite nicely.  Novel Bay has a primo location on the main downtown street and is fortunate to enjoy a reasonable lease and a very kind landlord.  The store enjoys equal parts of a tourist and local customer base.  In fact, the local customer base along with the business community have overwhelmingly embraced this new indie.  All the more impressive considering the town only has a population of approximately 9000.  The store has fostered a relationship with some of the local libraries who have purchased books here.  I would love to see the schools become involved with the store in the future.   Buy local, shop local, Sturgeon Bay schools.  And the store's success happened in 5 short weeks from inception to opening.  Very impressive considering husband/wife co-owners, John M. and Liz W., had no background in business or bookstores.  As John told me, "We didn't know what we didn't know."

At Novel Bay Booksellers you'll discover a store with all new books and a variety of sidelines including some very talented works by local artists.  I thought the books of local interest and/or by local authors were especially good.  Best of all, you'll not meet two more engaging people to visit with than John and Liz.  Their backgrounds prove that you can open a successful bookstore regardless of experience.  John's background as a phyciscist and Liz's background as a journalist complement each other very well to give the physics equation that equals one heck of a bookstore.  

So remember, you don't need to visit Novel Bay during the heighth of the tourist season, you can come here anytime.  Just make sure in the winter to visit when they're open since they have shortened hours.  Check out this most enjoyable bookstore and its wonderful owners.  You won't stop at just one visit.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Rotters, Daniel Krause.  This book was weird.  Joey is in high school, plays trumpet in the band, and lives with his mother in Chicago.  When she is killed his father is located and he is placed in his home in Iowa.  Joey is an outcast at his new school so he begins going with his father who travels the country robbing graves.  This is one of those that makes you look forward to your next book.  

CURRENTLY READING:  In Zanesville, Jo Ann Beard.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Deep Dark Secrets, Joy Ann Ribar.  Storm In A Teacup: The Physics Of Everyday Life, Helen Czerski.    

Indie bookstores have the best sidewalk signs.  

This display window will be much easier to see in the summer months.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  Discerning readers will recognize the celebrity sprinting to the display table.  Yes, that's my mom.  

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  

Words to live by.  

This beautiful poinsettia arrangement was from the kind couple who lease this space to the bookstore.  

I always look for gift ideas in a bookstore.  

Attractive display of new arrivals.  

Inside the front window display is another display facing the inside of the store.  

Seasonal children's display.  

John's background in physics has been helpful in curating an excellent selection of science books.  

You can do this at almost any indie.  

I love it when my bookstore visits coincide with the arrival of new books.  

An example of some of the outstanding art work by local artists available for purchase.  

Find this display for some bargains.  

The first book sold at Novel Bay.  Sold to a customer who was knocking on the door days before they opened.  He asked John to sell him a book, any book.  John reached into a box and voilà, a business was born.  

A nice variety of current events offerings.  

Alternative versions of Shakespeare works.  

I love this promotion offered at many indies.  Wrapped in plain brown paper with only a few sentences to give you a synopsis.  

A unique message board.  

These cashmere scarves might not be big sellers in the summer, but in the winter these should be flying out of the store.  

A very comfortable place to sample a book.  

Partial view of the children's section.  

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

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

Novel Bay offers a lot of locally crafted artwork.  

At the back of the store is an additional room for events like book clubs, poetry clubs, and high school kids who need space to work on projects.  

Another view of the back room.  

With John on the left and Liz in the center, the two fine co-owners at Novel Bay Booksellers.  Thanks for a great visit.  

The Next Chapter - Omaha, NE

The Next Chapter, Omaha, NE

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This is a brand, spanking new indie, all of one month old.  Yet, it has quite a long and established history that has lead up to its birth.  Owner Shelly M. and her parents are long time bookstore owners and booksellers dating back over many years.  For 43 years, her parents owned Prairie Books & Gifts, in Hastings, NE.  The day came when that business closed leaving a void in the family's life.  But as so often happens in life, when one door closes another one opens.  The absence of a bookstore in the family is something Shelly had to act on and so she did.  I could tell when I met her that she had a pretty happy vibe beginning this next chapter of her life, replacing Prairie Books.  Fittingly, that's exactly what she named this new store.

One of the best things about Next Chapter is its location.  It's in the Farnum Hill District near downtown Omaha on the very busy Farnum St.  Right next door is the roomy and spacious Zen Coffeeshop and immediately across the street is a large Holiday Inn Express.  There's also another upscale hotel nearby.  Thanks to these hotels, travelers are already making it into the store.  Shelly is especially optimistic for the business when Omaha hosts the College World Series each summer, located very close to the store.  I'm also amazed that no matter how new the bookstore is that I visit, they already have regular customers.  Shelly has expressed how nice these customers are, something most other indie owners can vouch for.  Two of the regulars even purchased the store's Christmas tree.  Next Chapter is also attracting customers from nearby Creighton University, a base of customers I predict will grow over time.

This one-level newbie offers all new books and a variety of sidelines.  As with other indies, the sidelines will continue to evolve.  Journals, greeting cards, Husker swag, and games are just a few of those sidelines and so far the games have been selling well.  In time, the store will begin hosting author events.

Shelly was fantastic to meet and tell me about the store and its progress.  Thankfully, this excellent location has a reasonable lease making the future bright for this charming bookstore.

Ok Omaha, let's get the word out.  Time to hit a cute, new little bookstore that's sure to attract you back time and time again.

The marriage of a knowledgeable and experienced owner with a new bookstore is a can't miss.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Great Believers, Rebecca Makkai.  This book gets rave reviews and is a National Book Award winner.  Almost everyone loves it so take my comments with a grain of salt.  Story about the AIDS epidemic in Chicago and its impact on the gay community.  Story bounces between 1985 and 2015.  Clearly, a tragic chapter in social history.  For me, this book was a little dry and boring.  I thought the prose a bit lengthy, and for me, it dragged.

CURRENTLY READING:  Rotters, Daniel Kraus.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Calypso, David Sedaris.

Don't mind if I do!

View looking into the store from the front entrance and the welcoming smile of a proud owner.  

Coat rack inside the front door.  Hang up your coat and do some serious browsing.  

Display of new bestsellers and seasonal books, just to the left of the front entrance.  

Journals in a variety of sizes.  

Maybe get a bookmark for every book you buy?

Whoooo wants a book?

Some kid-oriented sidelines right in the middle of the store.  

Table display of holiday and party drink ideas.  

A few of the books of local and regional interest.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

If you have a Husker fan in your family, come here for more gift ideas.  

An example of some of the unique greeting cards found in independent bookstores.  

Neatly organized wall of fiction and non-fiction, located on the right wall of the store.  

The store has a nice variety of sidelines.  

If you spend a lot of time traveling to bookstores, this is exactly the kind of thing that would come in handy.  

Great display of cooking books.  

Partial view of the children's section.  

Thank you Dr. Seuss.  

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

The store is so new that they still have congratulatory plants and flowers throughout.  

A nice gift idea or stocking stuffer.  You'll find lots of super ideas at any independent bookstore.  

With Shelly, the fine owner at The Next Chapter.  Thanks for a great visit.