Ink Cap Books - Stoughton, WI

Ink Cap Books, Stoughton, WI

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It’s always interesting to hear how new bookstore owners come to their business and what their background was.  It seems that many come from backgrounds other than retail or bookstores.  That’s not true with Ink Cap books where owner Sydne C. comes to this new business with years of bookstore experience that began in Michigan and also included time at A Room Of One’s Own, an iconic Wisconsin bookstore in nearby Madison.  Clearly, when you see this store and visit with Sydne you can tell that her experience has paid off and I can happily report that this 11-month old indie is off to a great start and business is going every well.  Congratulations Sydne!

Ink Cap is located on Main St. in downtown Stoughton along the Yahara River and surrounded by many other small businesses, a perfect location.  The store offers a combination of new and used books, all shelved together throughout the store.  Sydne does not have the used books on an inventory but may consider that in the future.  If you can’t visit in-person you can still support this store by ordering online. The sidelines are numerous and include greeting cards, candles (there’s an Uff Da Lutefisk candle that is extremely stinky and I’ve never smelled a candle this bad!), embroidered patches, puzzles, bookmarks, and many Norwegian themed items in a nod to the community’s heritage.  But the stickers, pastel-ink gel pens, and miniature knives/axes (think keychains) are the hottest.  There are also several works of art exhibited throughout the store that are for sale, all created by talented local artists.  Additionally, in their short few months of business they’ve already hosted several events.

The challenge for any indie when they open is getting the word out about their presence.  Ink Cap Books serves Stoughton (population approx, 13,000), the surrounding communities, and nearby Madison.  There are still people in the area who haven’t discovered this terrific new bookstore.  If you’re a regular, bring a friend, bring a relative.  Help spread the word that there is a well-curated bookstore in the heart of town with an experienced owner who exudes kindness and is ready to introduce you to your next great read.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Summer Book, Tove Jansson.  6-year-old Sophia and her grandmother spend the summer together on a remote island near Finland.  This delightful story shares their experiences with each other, the island, the sea, and occasional visitors.  A quick, fun read.  No mystery, no romance, nothing illegal, just a good story.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Orchardist, Amanda Coplin.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  We Begin at the End, Chris Whitaker.  James, Percival Everett.  Funny Because It's True, Christine Wenc.  Not purchased, but gifted: Ink Cap stickers.  Thanks Sydne.  

 

Walking on the bridge over the Yahara River, you'll see this incredible mural on the side of the bookstore building.  

Beautiful storefront of a historic building.  

A welcoming display window.  

A beautiful day to browse before you enter the store.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Immediately to the left after entering.  

Curl around to the left after entering for this display area.  

Variety of bookstore candles.  See the caution sign?  Take it seriously.  The Lutefisk candle is absolutely stinky beyond words.  In hindsight, I wish I would've got it for a Norwegian friend.  I may have to go back.  

Looking at the right side of the store after entering.  

 

Well done.  

This thing stinks to high heaven.  Might be a good idea for a gag gift.  

Staff picks.  

Another version of "blind date with a book."  Except you get three books instead of one.  

These pastel-ink gel pens have been popular sellers.  

Another popular sideline with a Norwegian-centric theme.  

Only in an independent bookstore.  I love it!

An overview of the back half of the store.  

Just a few of the cookbooks available.  

The perfect place to sit and sample a book.  

Find these shelves on the left side of the store.  

Overview looking into the children's area.  

A treasure closet of sidelines.  

Kids will love these.  

Novelty magnifying bookmark.  

Another partial view of the children's area and the wall is where you'll find some of the adult fiction.  

A most unique place to sit in the children's area.  

Bring a little reader to the store and help them with a book.  

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

If you know any Wild Robot fans, send them here.  

Find these shelves for some great bargains.  

With Sydne, the fine owner at Ink Cap Books.  Thanks for a great visit.  

Tomorrow Bookstore - Indianapolis, IN

Tomorrow Bookstore, Indianapolis, IN

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Tomorrow Bookstore is another one of the several terrific indies that have recently populated the independent bookstore scene in Indianapolis.  As I looked around the Tomorrow Bookstore neighborhood, it would seem to be a good location with many urban city apartments and condos around the store and co-owner Julia confirmed that indeed it is which has helped them to do very well in the first 2 1/2 years of existence (Julia shared that much of the store’s success is thanks to her co-owner husband Jake who has the business background and talent that got the store off to a great start).

This neatly organized bookstore offers all new books and a variety of sidelines including greeting cards, candles, reading glasses, puzzles, t-shirts, and original patchwork quilts made by Jake’s grandmother.  But the hot items here are the stickers.  

I especially liked their excellent assortment of international authors, translations, and small press books.  I saw a lot of books I hadn’t seen elsewhere and Julia said this is an intentional part of their inventory and maybe a little better than other bookstores.  They also have a book club that tries to read a book by authors from different countries.  As she told me, authors from Western Europe and Asia aren’t too hard to find but it has been challenging to find authors from Mongolia.  In addition to this book club, they have three others and they have an active events schedule to go along with this.  They are in the early process of trying to offer online sales, always a great option for those who can’t visit the store in person.  

Readers, Indianapolis now has a plethora of options for your bookstore visits and you can’t go wrong with a single one.  So whether you come to town to see the Colts, the Pacers, or the Fever, take time to visit Tomorrow Bookstore and buy a book TODAY!  Go to Indy and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Mean Spirit, Linda Hogan.  The story of an Oklahoma Native American community in the 1920s and their troubled lives because of their land on top of massive oil reserves.  They struggle with the line between white America and their Native American beliefs.  This was written years before Killers of The Flower Moon but is the the same historical subject.  Classified as fiction but certainly based on true events.  Recommended.  

CURRENTLY READING:  The Summer Book, Tove Jansson.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Wild Dark Shore, Charlotte McConaghy.    

 

Beautiful storefront on a beautiful day.  

Twist my arm.  

The store has large display windows on both sides of the front door.  

Looking into the store from the front entrance.  

Looking to the right from the front entrance.  

You'll find a great place to chill to the left of the front entrance.  

Handmade and unique quilts made by Jake's grandmother.  I love this.  

A most unique artistic work.  

Attractive table display inside the front entrance.  

The staff picks in every bookstore is one of my favorite places to browse.  

The long wall of books on the left side of the store.  

Ask about books signed by the authors.  

Grab something from this table before heading to the pool or the beach. 

Authors from around the world.  

Always check the calendar for their active events schedule.  

Partial view of the fiction available, found on the right side of the store.

A few of the books of local and regional interest AND books in Spanish.  

If the book you're reading seems out of focus, get a pair of these.  

Just a few of the stickers offered.  

If you're a regular customer this is a must.  

Overview of the children's area.  

 

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

ALWAYS consider a gift card.  

Table display of summer reads for something a bit heavier.  

With Julia, the fine co-owner at Tomorrow Bookstore.  Thanks for a great visit.