Featured Indie Bookstore: Owner Series
Cream & Amber (Hopkins, MN)
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Shop at Cream & Amber
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Meet proprietors Kacey Hruby Wyttenhove and Katie Terhune
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How did you come to own an independent bookstore?
We met and became friends in college, and after that we were seeking a space that would bring together two of our passions---books and beer. Eventually, we decided to create that space ourselves, and the idea behind Cream & Amber was born. After several years of planning, we found a perfect space on Mainstreet in Hopkins. At Cream & Amber, we carry a curated selection of new and used books including new releases and local authors. What should customers expect to find when they walk in your door?
Cream & Amber is a bright, welcoming space designed to feel comfortable for all community members. Our bookshelves line the entire right side of the shop, and on the other side you'll find our bar, where we serve beer, coffee, and food (in non-Covid times). |
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How does your bookstore give back to your community?
We offer free meeting space, events, and book clubs for community members (during non-Covid times).
What books are you excited to be selling right now?
Some of our favorite books from 2020 were Migrations, The Marrow Thieves, Red, White & Royal Blue, How We Show Up, The Death of Vivek Oji, and The Vanishing Half. We are also excited to be selling Pints North, a book from local author Katelyn Regenscheid, about Minnesota's craft beer scene.
We offer free meeting space, events, and book clubs for community members (during non-Covid times).
What books are you excited to be selling right now?
Some of our favorite books from 2020 were Migrations, The Marrow Thieves, Red, White & Royal Blue, How We Show Up, The Death of Vivek Oji, and The Vanishing Half. We are also excited to be selling Pints North, a book from local author Katelyn Regenscheid, about Minnesota's craft beer scene.
See previous featured bookstores in our Owner Series
northwind books and fiber (spooner, Wisconsin)
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Shop at Northwind Book & Fiber
Follow Northwind Book & Fiber on Facebook
Subscribe to Northwind's newsletter
Follow Northwind's events calendar
Meet proprietor Carol Blizzard Dunn
What should customers expect to find when they walk in your door?
The first thing you see are the books, of course, but as you move back through the over 3,000 square feet, you will find a full yarn shop, gifts, and an extensive selection of games and puzzles. A "complaint" is that we have too much to look at! We heard this on a sub-zero day from a customer who came in and said he was glad for the warm welcome.
How does your bookstore give back to your community?
I think all bookstores add so much to their communities just by their very existence. We've certainly been overwhelmed by the support and concern that we still be here through the pandemic. We work with the schools and other local organizations to provide discounted books. We regularly donate to local fundraisers, schools, and churches. Our seating area is available to groups to meet.
What books are you excited to be selling right now?
A bookseller's list is ever-expanding. Norwegian By Night by Derek Miller has been a surprising bestseller for the last 2 years for us. William Kent Krueger is our best-selling author. More recent favorites include The Vanishing Half, Migrations (by McConaghy), The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, The Story that Cannot Be Told (for middle readers), Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl, and Trevor Noah's Born a Crime. Also, it has been particularly gratifying to see the sales of diverse books and books on racism this past year.
Follow Northwind Book & Fiber on Facebook
Subscribe to Northwind's newsletter
Follow Northwind's events calendar
Meet proprietor Carol Blizzard Dunn
What should customers expect to find when they walk in your door?
The first thing you see are the books, of course, but as you move back through the over 3,000 square feet, you will find a full yarn shop, gifts, and an extensive selection of games and puzzles. A "complaint" is that we have too much to look at! We heard this on a sub-zero day from a customer who came in and said he was glad for the warm welcome.
How does your bookstore give back to your community?
I think all bookstores add so much to their communities just by their very existence. We've certainly been overwhelmed by the support and concern that we still be here through the pandemic. We work with the schools and other local organizations to provide discounted books. We regularly donate to local fundraisers, schools, and churches. Our seating area is available to groups to meet.
What books are you excited to be selling right now?
A bookseller's list is ever-expanding. Norwegian By Night by Derek Miller has been a surprising bestseller for the last 2 years for us. William Kent Krueger is our best-selling author. More recent favorites include The Vanishing Half, Migrations (by McConaghy), The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, The Story that Cannot Be Told (for middle readers), Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl, and Trevor Noah's Born a Crime. Also, it has been particularly gratifying to see the sales of diverse books and books on racism this past year.
Kismet Books (verona, Wisconsin)
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Shop at Kismet Books
Follow Kismet on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Subscribe to Kismet's newsletter
Follow Kismet's event series
Buy Kismet's custom merchandise
Meet proprietor Rye Kimmett
How did you come to own an independent bookstore?
It has been a dream of mine since being the most bookish of children to spend all my days surrounded by books. When I met a friend in school who shared that dream I married him. Now, many years of work in healthcare and two children later, I decided to just go for it. Pandemic be darned, fear be darned, self-doubt and anxiety be darned. Our lovely little town needed a bookshop and I was the person to give it one.
What should customers expect to find when they walk in your door?
Our shop is unapologetically focused on promoting social progress in all its forms. We center POC voices and books on racial equity, queer voices, sexual health and women's rights, poverty, healthcare, and books that foster basic respect and empathy for the humans we share the world with. Stories and books can change the world. We will be striving to keep to these ideals as we grow. Also, free period products and condoms in the bathroom. Of course ^_^
How does your bookstore give back to your community?
I'm currently working to help fund an initiative providing free period products to all students in our district. We also contribute to our local library and public radio. We hope to do book drives and donate books to our schools in the new year.
What books are you excited to be selling right now?
The industry embracing women of color and recognizing the amazing work they are producing is so exciting. N.K. Jemisin is finally getting the spotlight they deserve along with so many other amazing writers of color. I'm excited to see what the publishing landscape looks like over the next few years as we continue to explore voices that haven't been centered previously.
Follow Kismet on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Subscribe to Kismet's newsletter
Follow Kismet's event series
Buy Kismet's custom merchandise
Meet proprietor Rye Kimmett
How did you come to own an independent bookstore?
It has been a dream of mine since being the most bookish of children to spend all my days surrounded by books. When I met a friend in school who shared that dream I married him. Now, many years of work in healthcare and two children later, I decided to just go for it. Pandemic be darned, fear be darned, self-doubt and anxiety be darned. Our lovely little town needed a bookshop and I was the person to give it one.
What should customers expect to find when they walk in your door?
Our shop is unapologetically focused on promoting social progress in all its forms. We center POC voices and books on racial equity, queer voices, sexual health and women's rights, poverty, healthcare, and books that foster basic respect and empathy for the humans we share the world with. Stories and books can change the world. We will be striving to keep to these ideals as we grow. Also, free period products and condoms in the bathroom. Of course ^_^
How does your bookstore give back to your community?
I'm currently working to help fund an initiative providing free period products to all students in our district. We also contribute to our local library and public radio. We hope to do book drives and donate books to our schools in the new year.
What books are you excited to be selling right now?
The industry embracing women of color and recognizing the amazing work they are producing is so exciting. N.K. Jemisin is finally getting the spotlight they deserve along with so many other amazing writers of color. I'm excited to see what the publishing landscape looks like over the next few years as we continue to explore voices that haven't been centered previously.
Booksellers: Submit your store for our Owner Series
