Four Pines Bookstore - Bimidji, MN

Four Pines Bookstore, Bemidji, MN

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Four Pines Bookstore is situated ideally in downtown Bimidji and along the main road through town.  Across this main road is a beautiful lakeside park and the picturesque Bimidji Lake??  This location allows Four Pines to be very opportunistic with many community events all of which are a great boost for local businesses like Four Pines.  Many bookstores I’ve visited are able to take advantage of their locations with events like a farmer’s market, art festival, founder’s day, etc.  But never have I heard of a bookstore that enjoyed a festival of unicycles, Unicon.  Yes, with 900 some unicyclists swamping the downtown area there’s bound to be a few readers in that group that make their way to Four Pines Bookstore.

Four Pines has been in business for three years and as booksellers Rachel and Josie told me things are going well.  Bemidji is a summer tourist destination making this bookstore an important part of that experience.  They enjoy their local regular customers and their annual regular tourist customers (repeat customers should make sure to take advantage of the loyal rewards program).  The store offers all new books and numerous sidelines.  The stickers and puzzles sell well but there are many more including bookstore candles, greeting cards, store merch, and quirky socks to name a few.  If you can’t visit in person go to the store website and order online.  Rachel’s talents got the website updated for this and she’s also responsible for creating some of the store’s stickers.  Way to go, Rachel.

There were several areas that I thought were especially good.  The display of books by Minnesota authors was outstanding.  I’ve read many of these authors and have enjoyed them all.  The books by indigenous authors and indigenous themes were also excellent and very relevant for this region.  Finally, there are a good number of books that will interest tourists about hiking, recreation, and nature.

Owner Gina G. was not here on this day but man, she had the “A” team here in her place.  Rachel and Josie were the best and they can talk books as good as anyone.  One of the best reasons to visit a bookstore is meeting the terrific people who work there.  That’s the wonderful experience that awaits you at this impressive bookstore.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The White Umbrella, Brian Sewell.  Mr. B. is a Londoner with a film crew in Pakistan when he discovers an abandoned donkey and he immediately makes the decision that he will take care of her and bring her back to London with him, even if they have to walk.  This is the beginning of an adventure that takes them through southern Asia, the Mideast, and into Europe with adventures galore.  A charming tale as old as time about the love between a person and an animal.   

CURRENTLY READING:  Where Wolves Don't Die, Anton Treuer. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Quarry Girls, Jess Lourey.   Where Wolves Don't Die, Anton Treuer. 

 

Neat and clean store exterior. 

This is a wonderful display window, apologies for the glare. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the right from the front entrance. 

Looking to the left from the front entrance. 

We all know someone who would be perfect for this cap. 

Updated versions of old-school games. 

Buy some tea and a perfect book to go with it. 

Yes, you will need this. 

I love this wall display of books by Minnesota authors, on the left wall after you enter. 

Attractive display of best-sellers. 

This variety of sidelines can be found on the right side of the store after entering. 

A perfect area in the front of the store to sit and sample a book. 

Hey Bimidji, winter's coming.  Do you have enough puzzles?  Of course not! Find your way to this display and stock up. 

Beautiful Four Pines sweatshirt. 

The store offers many works by indigenous authors and indigenous topics. 

Overview of the left side of the store.

Just a few of the stickers available.  Find these at the checkout counter. 

Keep an eye on the events board when you visit the store. 

A splendid variety of books and sidelines.  Right side of the store after the checkout counter. 

How many bookstores have a table devoted to Paul Bunyan items? 

The Paul Bunyan puzzle.  Probably difficult to find in other areas of the country so get it here!

Looking into the children's area. 

Book-themed candles are popular in many bookstores. 

Go to the left side of the store and start browsing. 

Great ideas for visitors to the area. 

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

Some of the distractions kids will enjoy. 

Last year's Christmas Window Display winner. 

With Josie on the left and Rachel in the center, two of the fine booksellers at Four Pines Bookstore (showing their staff picks that I fell for!).  Thanks for a great visit. 

Bootlegger - Eureka, CA

Booklegger, Eureka, CA

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I won’t be able to adequately articulate the fun you can have at a bookstore like the fun I had at Booklegger.  I can never overstate the importance of shopping local at small businesses in your communities.  I can also never overstate the experience you can have visiting a bookstore instead of just clicking a button on the internet.  If I’d bought my book online I never would’ve met the Booklegger rock stars, owner Jen M., and booksellers Katie and Jen’s daughter, Sophie. But on this visit, a customer overheard me mention Iowa and wanted to know if I was anywhere near Cedar Rapids.  This lead to a delightful 15-minute chat about his recent visit to Cedar Rapids and his climb up Mt. Trashmore (only Cedar Rapids people will get this) and his positive opinion of that community.  So I met Peter and had a great conversation and then discovered I was talking to the former mayor of Eureka.  What are the odds?  And what a great guy to meet and chat with.  Regular customers of Booklegger know exactly what I’m talking about when I suggest the advantage of a bookstore experience instead of purchasing online.

Booklegger has been around for 42 years and has an ideal corner location in the Old Town district.  As Jen told me, a great location made even better by coffee shops on both sides of the store.  Booklegger has almost all used books but carries a few recent release new ones.  Customers who bring in their books can receive store credit in return.  They don’t offer book sales online so that means you'll have to visit in-person to get that book (and a wonderful experience while you’re there).  There are a few sidelines including touristy post cards, journals, and greeting cards to name just a few.  But it’s mostly about the books here.

Jen has been involved with the store in some capacity for about 37 years and 27 of those as owner or partial owner.  When I asked her what her secret was, she gave it a lot of thought and finally said, “I want to have books that are for our audience (customers) and I want it to be fun and to be passionate about it.”  From my visit, I can clearly say, mission accomplished.  This also explains why things are going so well here and they're doing more than just sustaining.  I can tell that Jen cares a lot about her customers and her store.  

Regular customers, am I right?  Jen and her staff are the best.  Just another example of what makes an independent bookstore so good.  Keep up the good work, Eureka.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

JUST FINISHED:  The Terminal List, Jack Carr.  What a ride!  James Reece is the commander of an elite SEAL team that is deployed on a mission to uncover enemy targets when almost his entire team is wiped out by an ambush.  His own country betrayed his team with the ambush in order to coverup a decision gone bad.  This horrible mistake lights a fuse in Reece to seek revenge on the conspiracy of people who were responsible for the loss of Reece’s men.  If you like political and military thrillers, this is a must read.  Recommended.  

CURRENLY READING:  The White Umbrella, Brian Sewell.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  There, There, Tommy Orange.  The Terminal List, Jack Carr.  

  

An excellent corner location in the popular Old Town district. 

There is lots of window display space on both sides of the store. 

Through this door your adventure awaits. 

But first, check the bargains on the outside. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking directly to the left from the front entrance. 

View looking to the right from the front entrance. 

Just a few of the greeting cards available. 

A variety of tourist guides available. 

Display of recent releases. 

Find this curious nook to the left in the store. 

I always enjoy seeing every store's unique decor. 

Display of staff recommendations. 

Explore one of the many nooks within the store. 

I didn't need to see this to know that Booklegger is an award-winning store. 

All bookstores bring a touch of creativeness to their space. 

Just a few of the old and rare editions offered.

Overview looking into the children's area. 

I wonder if any schools have a cool detention room with one desk surrounded by books!

A wide assortment of journals. 

An overview of the back of the store. 

Overview of the store looking toward the front entrance. 

A few of the items of local and regional interest. 

Have you ever noticed that the book you're looking for is either on the top shelf or the bottom shelf? 

Mark Twain fans will enjoy these. 

Tony The Tiger says books are grrrrreeeaatt!

With Jen, the fine owner at Bootlegger.  Thanks for a great visit.