MIBA Bookstores Look Back on 2014

As 2014 came to a close, a number of MIBA booksellers looked back and recounted some of the standout events that defined their year. The following list comes from newsletters we’ve received in the past few years, but is no means and extensive list of the accomplishments and defining moments from around our region. Take a look, and if you’re inspired to share a moment that you feel defined your 2014, let us know about it at news@midwestbooksellers.org.

• Alice Meyer of Beaverdale Books in Des Moines, Iowa overcame her camera-shyness to talk to C-SPAN about Iowa’s independent literary scene:
  

         Alice’s cameo begins at the 38:31 minute mark. 

• Watermark Books compiled a directory of “Ten-Best Books” lists from each and every staff member. 
  
• So did Just the Bookstore (Glen Ellyn IL). 
  
• Cherry Street Books (Alexandria, MN) endured a Broadway Renovation that kept customers at bay for most of 2014, but they came through with a great December. 
  
• The Red Balloon (St. Paul MN) designed and implemented a new website, now live! 
  
• Joanne Smith of The Velveteen Rabbit (Fort Atkinson, WI) is retiring after 9 years of much-appreciated hard work. 
  
• Bluebird Books (Hutchinson, KS) announced that it will be expanding to offer a full-service café in the Spring of 2015
  
• With the community’s support, The Book House (St. Louis, MO) successfully built out their new location and moved in the first few months of 2014, and went on to participate in regional and national events.