I don’t know about you, but I’ve been spending the entirety of the past four months in quarantine snuggling up with a nice book, avoiding leaving my house. Although it’s been nice to catch up on my reading and do some family bonding, I’ve missed being able to wander through unknown independent bookshops to find that one book you didn’t know you needed, until you did.
With businesses finally starting to open up again and the pandemic taking a huge hit on the global economy, it is vital we stand by and support our local independent bookshops through this hard time. Whether you can make a quick in-person stop, or even check out their social media pages to stay up to date with their new COVID procedures- anything helps!
I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite bookshops. However, they aren’t just your average shops- they are mobile! Whether they travel on land or water, all of these bookshops are dedicated to going above and beyond in making their customers satisfied, and delivering the most high-quality items in the most unique ways. I (virtually) sat down with the owners of 5 independent bookshops this past week to get their input on how the pandemic has impacted their businesses and why people should support their store in this difficult time.
Check them out below (and who knows, maybe you’ll take a quick COVID-friendly visit to these amazing shops):
1. WORD ON THE WATER
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This bookstore is located on a boat in the heart of London on a 100-year-old canal barge and offers a large selection of titles from a variety of genres. Mr. Screech, the store’s owner and founder, speaks about his dedication to putting his all into the success of the store even in the midst of a pandemic: “During the pandemic, we put a lot of love into our online store so we could keep supplying our customers in the UK and abroad. Now, we’re opening up again, with outdoor book browsing, live jazz on the roof, and our wonderful customers are back to bring smiles on our faces.” If you’re in the area, this is the perfect place to spend an outdoor shopping day and get a smile on your face!
2. GOGO BOOK TRUCK
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This, “nomadic storybook shop” is a book truck that roams all over South Carolina. Gogo Book Truck specializes in children and teen books that feed the imagination. The owner, Kate Keeper was inspired to create her store when she visited the (now closed) independent bookstore in New York City, Stories Books, from their ‘experience-based’ bookstore. Keeper states “I wanted to take the basics of their idea and make it mobile.”
Keeper made sure to develop a creative, safe space when creating the bus to make it welcoming to everyone. As Keeper states: “I meticulously designed it and left no detail to be desired and I think that is why people are so drawn to it” and “the book truck being an experience is what has made it relevant.” Although her business has been on pause since the start of the pandemic, Keeper is excited to open her doors and sprinkle a little imagination and hope into the world once again.
3. I’M BOOK’D BOx
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This “mobile book boutique” is both a book subscription service and a book bus for women. I’m Book’d Box was made to encourage creativity and self-growth through books, to help women build better lives. Owner, Shannon Taylor, made the bus in 2018 and ensured it would be a creative and loving environment, filled with her subscription boxes and a diverse offering of novels. Taylor states, “I wanted to create something that made the idea of reading fun- an entire experience- not to mention access to the communities that are typically left out.” Taylor also goes on to state that although the pandemic made business slow, she continues to persevere:
I look at the pandemic as an opportunity: now more than ever, families are home (what better time than now to pick up a book). People just need to have a place to get them and I’m Book’d Box makes that easy with the ability to pull right up to your front door.
You don’t want to miss checking out this positive, fun environment that will definitely make you feel right at home!
4. MY LITTLE BOOKSHOP
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My Little Bookshop, Western Australia’s first traveling bookshop, was created 12 years ago by Kerry Ridley. Ridley’s goal was to build on her favorite childhood stories- The Magic Faraway Tree and Nancy Drew– she wanted to create an imaginative space for children of all ages to buy books. Owner, Kerry Ridley, states that people enjoy the store because of “the nostalgic feel of what a bookshop should be” incorporated in the store; when people walk in, they feel the magic of reading they felt as little kids.
Ridley states that although the pandemic was bad for business, she continues to be optimistic: “My business went from hero to zero, totally heartbreaking, however now that the restrictions are lifted where I live, the business is out of hibernation, the wheels are back on the road and I’m so grateful My Little Bookshop has weathered the storm.” Whether you happen to stumble upon them or you plan a visit, this magical shop is a must-see for book lovers!
5. CINCY BOOK BUS
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Cincy Book Bus was created to deliver the joy of owning books and inspire the passion of reading to all. Created from a vintage 1962 Volkswagon pickup truck, owner Melanie Moore strives to put books in the hands of kids who need it most: she donates her profits to buying children’s books for low-income areas, to help build their libraries and “give children the opportunity to experience the joy of reading.” Moore roams around the Cincinnati area with her hand-curated book selection, inspiring and helping those in need. Moore states “my favorite things about the book bus are the smiles the truck brings to people, meeting fellow book lovers and knowing that I’m playing a part to help inspire a passion for reading.” Although the pandemic has made it difficult for her to have the same in-person shopping experience with other book-lovers, she continues to be passionate about helping others and keeping her business running. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, be sure to check out this roaming store to help a great cause and check out some amazing books!