
What a wonderful year! Over the course of 2018, our association enjoyed a new record high: 23 independent bookstores joined our ranks. Of these stores, 11 opened their doors for the first time; 10 were already open; and 2 are prospective stores in the processing of opening.
What do we attribute this to? Last year, we witnessed the closing of Book World, a family-run chain of more than 40 stores throughout the Midwest. In its wake, a number of single independent bookstores opened in storefronts and towns that previously had a Book World.
In addition, last year we introduced a brand-new program: the Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap, an old-school foldable "roadmap" of Midwest bookstores as well as book-related ads (see photo on the right), distributed for free to consumers across our region. As we've shared before, it was a tremendous success and led quite a few stores our way so they could enjoy a custom Kevin Cannon store illustration and be included in this year's roadmap. Especially fun, the consumer contest organized around the hashtag #BookstoreRoadmap has led to an amazing collection of smiling customer posing outside of our member stores.
In the 2018 calendar year, MIBA welcomed the following stores to its membership. Please get to know them and welcome them to another prosperous year in bookselling.
Opened in 2018
Canterbury Book Store in Escanaba MI
Wild Thyme Books in Carbondale IL
Novel Bay Booksellers in Sturgeon Bay WI
The Book Deal in Madison WI (used bookstore)
OtherWorlds Books & More in Sturgeon Bay WI
Skylark Bookshop in Columbia MO
River Dog Book Co. in Beaver Dam WI
Dotters Books in Eau Claire WI
Cream & Amber in Hopkins MN
The Willow Bookstore in Perham MN
The Irreverent Bookworm in Minneapolis MN
Opened previously
The Book Store in Appleton WI
Driftless Books in Wabasha MN
Corner Books in Minneapolis
The Sly Fox Bookstore in Virden IL
Whimsy on Main in Milbank SD
The Book Shoppe in Boone IA
M and M Bookstore in Cedar Rapids
The Village Booksmith in Baraboo WI
EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore in University City MO
Heritage Store in Pierre SD (opened 1989)
Two additional member stores that are not yet opened are not listed here.
What do we attribute this to? Last year, we witnessed the closing of Book World, a family-run chain of more than 40 stores throughout the Midwest. In its wake, a number of single independent bookstores opened in storefronts and towns that previously had a Book World.
In addition, last year we introduced a brand-new program: the Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap, an old-school foldable "roadmap" of Midwest bookstores as well as book-related ads (see photo on the right), distributed for free to consumers across our region. As we've shared before, it was a tremendous success and led quite a few stores our way so they could enjoy a custom Kevin Cannon store illustration and be included in this year's roadmap. Especially fun, the consumer contest organized around the hashtag #BookstoreRoadmap has led to an amazing collection of smiling customer posing outside of our member stores.
In the 2018 calendar year, MIBA welcomed the following stores to its membership. Please get to know them and welcome them to another prosperous year in bookselling.
Opened in 2018
Canterbury Book Store in Escanaba MI
Wild Thyme Books in Carbondale IL
Novel Bay Booksellers in Sturgeon Bay WI
The Book Deal in Madison WI (used bookstore)
OtherWorlds Books & More in Sturgeon Bay WI
Skylark Bookshop in Columbia MO
River Dog Book Co. in Beaver Dam WI
Dotters Books in Eau Claire WI
Cream & Amber in Hopkins MN
The Willow Bookstore in Perham MN
The Irreverent Bookworm in Minneapolis MN
Opened previously
The Book Store in Appleton WI
Driftless Books in Wabasha MN
Corner Books in Minneapolis
The Sly Fox Bookstore in Virden IL
Whimsy on Main in Milbank SD
The Book Shoppe in Boone IA
M and M Bookstore in Cedar Rapids
The Village Booksmith in Baraboo WI
EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore in University City MO
Heritage Store in Pierre SD (opened 1989)
Two additional member stores that are not yet opened are not listed here.