Books & Bakery - Carroll, IA

 

Books & Bakery, Carroll, IA

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I'm continually amazed at this point in my journey that I still see and hear about new things.  Over 500 bookstores visited (this one is #539 to be exact) and I never knew about a bookstore sleep-over for stuffed animals.  For Books & Bakery, this event was a huge success.  A story time for kids where they bring their favorite stuffed friend and then leave it in the bookstore over night with all the other stuffed friends.  They return the next morning to reclaim their stuffed friend and return it safely to its home.  This is a great idea on so many levels.  If nothing else, a great time for the kids but also a wonderful way to bring people into the store a couple of times.   

The origins of Books & Bakery were in owner Kenzie C.'s home selling books from there as well as online.  It was only a matter of time until it became a brick and mortar.  It's a newbie and hasn't even been open two years so they are continuing to find their way.  They offer new and used books in a very spacious one-level area.  Used books are accepted as donations only and are shelved right beside the new ones.  They have several sidelines but the best ones are the ones for kids and the stickers (these are hot everywhere).  In the back of the store there is space for local vendors to display their items.  One more way to bring people into the store and also add to the store's revenue since they receive a small cut.  If you can't make it here in person, you always have the option of making a purchase online.

I didn't get to meet Kenzie but I had a great time meeting her mother Nichole.  This was Kenzie's dream to open a bookstore.  The mother and daughter co-own the store and I think they're off to a great start.

This new indie is a big deal in this part of Iowa because there isn't anything else like it nearby.  Carroll has a population of approximately 10,000 and Nichole without hesitation told me they have many regulars.  But what about the rest of you people?  If you're in Carroll or anywhere within shouting distance, make your way to this bookstore.  You'll have a great time and easily find something you like.  Remember, buy local, shop local.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Born A Crime, Trevor Noah.  The author relates his experience growing up as apartheid ended in Southern African.  Raised mostly by a very devoted mother, he talks about his challenges blending in with others due to his own racial ambiguity.  He was in and out of trouble but survived it all to become the celebrity he is today.  Highly recommended. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Rules Of Civility, Amor Towles. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Notes On An Execution, Danya Kukafka. 

A beautiful storefront in a great location downtown surrounded by many retail businesses. 

They have lots of options with this large front display window. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

View looking to the right from the front entrance. 

Yes you'll need one, conveniently located near the front door.  Maybe even consider two. 

Not sure I've seen this line of candles.  I love the names. 

Something for the budding artist. 

My favorite part of the store is this long wall of books.  Let the browsing begin. 

"I can't remember the title of the book but I know it was red."  Problem solved. 

Popular books written by a famous name. 

Like many other bookstores, this has been a popular promotion here. 

A few of the greeting cards available. 

One of each would be a good idea. 

A few of the t-shirts offered. 

Colleen Hoover fans will enjoy this display. 

A few of the books offered by local authors. 

Consider adding one of these totes to your purchase to carry everything you get. 

Partial view of the children's area. 

One of the children's rooms with a little bench and a little chair for a little reader. 

Lower level in the back of the store featuring numerous items from local vendors. 

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

150-piece Harry Potter micro puzzles.  I'm not a puzzle person but I'm fascinated by these. 

This is what happens when I try to do a selfie. 

After several attempts, a respectable outcome!  With Nichole, one of the fine owners at Books & Bakery.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Comma, a bookshop - Minneapolis, MN

Comma, a bookshop, Minneapolis, MN

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When I visit bookstores that have an extraordinarily attractive interior I always worry if my pictures will do them justice.  The organization, brightness, and neatness make for a beautiful interior here at Comma.  Or is it attractive because it is only 4 months old, just a baby?  No, I don't think that's it and I'm confident that this indie will easily maintain its beauty and charm for years to come.

This newbie has a great location in the affluent Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis and is surrounded by many residential customers and diverse retail businesses.  There is even another renowned bookstore right around the corner from Comma.  Children's bookstore, Wild Rumpus, has been a fixture for many years.  Because of this, a children's section is the only genre missing at Comma.

This spanking new, one-level bookstore offers a well-curated inventory of all new books.  They also stock a nice assortment of sidelines given the size of the store.  Bookstore socks, stickers, and candles are just a few of the sidelines offered.  The best sellers though are the coasters with book covers on them that are also very reasonably priced.  The store opened with a bang with a long line of customers waiting to get in on small business Saturday.  But most bookstores take into account the mid-winter slump which owner Victoria F. was well aware of before opening.  I think that sales will really take-off in the coming months with the change in weather.  Customers can expect to see more events in the coming months as well.

Unbelievably, this beautiful store, its success, and its progress is due solely to one person.  Victoria is the one-person owner and staff at this terrific indie.  However, it should be noted that she has a great volunteer and staff support system with her parents Keith and Betsy.  It was my good fortune to meet both her parents this day and from a few of these prior experiences at other bookstores, if there are nicer people than the owners, it is their parents.

What a wonderful bookstore experience this was.  The Twin Cities has a good bookstore scene and now they can add one more to their ranks.  Minnesotans, pay a visit to this new bookstore and enjoy a comfortable browsing space and its friendly new owner.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Virgil Wander, Leif Enger.  Story of Virgil Wander who owns the Empress Theater in a small northern Minnesota town near Duluth.  He's recovering from a terrible accident and his life is dotted with the many eccentric and odd characters of this small, dying town who are trying to find a way to revive it.  Not creepy, not mysterious (like any small town though, there are a few mysteries), just a good story.  Recommended.   

CURRENLY READING:  Born A Crime, Trevor Noah. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:   Essex Dogs, Dan Jones.

 

This beautiful historic building in the Linden Hills neighborhood is the home for Comma.

This expansive display window really brightens the interior with lots of natural light.

One of my favorite signs. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  I love the lighting here. 

On the left wall near the front entrance. 

The "blind date with a book" promotions have really caught on over the years I've been on this journey.  I see it more and more all the time. 

One of the more popular sidelines here.  Coasters with book covers. 

Stickers and bookmarks. 

Literary-themed book socks.  For a smallish space, Comma has a lot of sidelines. 

Beautiful display at the front of the store. 

Locally-sourced candles. 

Shelf display of new non-fiction. 

I had a great time talking to Victoria about this display of her recent favorites. 

Attractive displays of new releases and new fiction. 

Proceeding through the store you'll come to this room on a raised level with several genres. 

Overview of the room pictured above. 

Follow this hallway...

...to the room in the back and more books. 

Pick one out to sample and have a seat. 

Go to the back room to find a healthy assortment of Young Adult books. 

Colleen Hoover fans are covered. 

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

Booksellers, managers, and owners are some of my favorite people but don't forget the wonderful delivery people who keep these indies stocked.  I love it when I'm at a bookstore and the new books are delivered. 

With Victoria, the fine owner at Comma, a bookshop.  Thanks for a great visit.