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. 

Prologue Books & Wine - Charles City, IA

Prologue Books & Wine, Charles City, IA

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When I prepare to visit a bookstore I try to keep my expectations neutral and my mind open to anything.  However, when I visit an indie in a small town I worry about the store's business health and if it has a large enough customer base to support it.  If I had any of those thoughts before visiting Prologue Books & Wine in Charles City, IA, they were immediately dashed when I entered the store's beautiful space.  This store is worthy of any location in the country.  A neighborhood in St. Louis, a borough in NYC, or a hip section of the California Bay area.  For the people in Charles City and the surrounding communities, all they have to do is go to Main St. and walk into a store that completes the Charles City business community, finally, an independent bookstore.  

Darci T., the owner, and her team have done an absolutely remarkable job of turning a space that sat empty for 10 years (as Darci told me, it was a dump which makes the transformation that much more impressive) into an attractive bookstore that will become the envy of many similar small towns.  The store has only been open 4 short months and the results are outstanding.  In fact, Darci told me that the store's business has exceeded expectations.  Way to go Charles City and congratulations Darci!

Prologue offers all new books along with some sidelines including greeting cards, buttons, candy club candy, and bookstore swag to name a few.  Darci's original plan for the wine was to offer it while doing events or readings.  Surprisingly, people are enjoying the wine while book browsing.  She also thought that children's books would sell well but instead has discovered that adult books and poetry are doing even better than the children's books.  

The cherry on top of this wonderful store though is the vitality of its owner.  Darci gives this store its personality and its easy to see why it already has a devoted core of regulars.  She's knowledgeable, conversant, and will easily be able to recommend your next book.  In fact, if you're in the Charles City area consider joining the store book club which will be starting soon.

I can't believe there are people in the community who don't know about Prologue Books & Wine yet.  Really?  A highly visible, beautiful storefront on Main St. and you don't know about it?  Consider this your wake-up call.  Find out what all the regular customers have discovered.  A terrific bookstore with an energetic owner that will turn YOU into a regular too.  An experience you won't find online.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  A Column Of Fire, Ken Follett. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Beheld, Tarashea Nesbit.  

 

Beautiful storefront located in the heart of downtown. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  Just imagine what this space must've looked like, sitting empty for about 10 years until Darci and her team transformed it into this gorgeous interior. 

 

Four steps into the store and you'll see this educational display of books. 

 

A very unique way to display the buttons available. 

 

Interested in cooking?  Find this display. 

 

Entering the store and curling around to the left for this view of the children's section.  Notice the small reading nook underneath the steps.  Nice!

 

Another view of the children's reading nook and some nice places to sit. 

 

This chair is in a primo location right by the large front window.  Have a seat, sip some wine, and keep an eye on things. 

 

Another overview of the children's section and beyond. 

 

This picture really doesn't give the perspective that you see when you view it in person.  This doorway is for tiny people to come into the children's section.  It is in the entryway of the main entrance.  Kids can bypass the door for big people and walk right into their area. 

 

Hitchers with twister pop for the kids.  You might have to get one just to see what it is. 

 

A nice long wall of books on the left side of the store. 

 

A portion of the poetry available.  This genre has been selling very well. 

 

The store is well-stocked with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  The readers who enjoy this are fanatical about it.  My Outlander friends will remind you to be sure and start with the first book in the series. 

 

On top of the bookshelves you'll see framed poster-sized prologues from different books.  Can you identify this one?

 

This is one beautiful setting.  Comfy chairs, wine, a book, AND a fireplace?  Yes please. 

 

Since certain people have recently gone into a hissy fit about banned books, do you know what I've noticed?  Every indie offers banned books and usually a dedicated section to display them. 

 

New to the store.  Give them a try and tell Darci what you think. 

 

As with just about any other indie, creativity can be found throughout the store. 

 

Find your bookstore swag and some of the other sidelines in this section. 

 

I love that this store has so many comfortable places to sit.  Is it because of the wine or the books?!

 

Only a sample of the wine inventory. 

 

Bring your friends, have a seat here and share your books. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relevant books for our times.  

 

 

 

 

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

 

Attractive Prologue glasses ONLY available here. 

 

With Darci, the fine owner at Prologue Books & Wine.  Thanks for a great visit.