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If there were no teachers, how ever would you learn?
A book would be a paperweight, or something good to burn.
If there weren't any teachers, then math would be a chore,
we'd need to take off socks and shoes to count out 5 times 4.
Without a bunch of teachers, I'd be afraid to drive
or get in planes, and many other things I need just to survive.
So we must thank our teachers, working night and day,
who help us be our better selves. Three cheers! Hip, hip - hooray!
Chris Leonard and local Escanaban author Nino Green stopped by the shop today to say hi! Green is currently working on a third novel, but if you haven't read anything by him before, we carry his two previous novels!
You can read more about Green and his novels at https://ninoegreen.com/
Everyone has a time in their life when they are called upon to sort through the belongings of someone else. When moving to a new house (or moving someone else) we discover what is beloved and what has been forgotten.
In the book store, we have been learning about the long-time owners and the customers they served. The Hivala heritage is fitted in many nooks and crannies, from tall, Scandinavian candles in blue, white, and red, to little glass birds or a guidebook for the perfect sauna experience. I hesitate to move the books during our first days, knowing that I will have to be independent from Shirley's amazing memory and may struggle to find 'just the right book' on my own.
The collection reflects Escanaba as well. There is a wide selection of Bibles, some small enough for pockets and others with proud gold filigree and silk ribbon. There is joy in the children's section, where I find Pat the Bunny or The Berenstain Bears that I grew up with. And I reflect on how expansive the section is surrounding recovery from addiction, divorce and grief.
Yes, we technically 'bought' the bookstore, but it feels like I am taking on a collection from someone familiar. I grew up here and I love this town. Underneath the hubbub of "do we have this already?" or "do you want this anymore?" I will be mourning the loss of Shirley's store and welcoming into the world a book store of my own.
That is the bittersweet taste of inheritance, and it is not lost on me. --- RB
What a wonderful Saturday we had here at the store! Many thanks and love to all the people who came by the store to welcome us, look around, or buy a book. Escanaba has some of the nicest people I've ever met, and we are so lucky to be a part of this community.
And keep your eyes open for a future announcement: we plan on having an official grand opening event later this spring - maybe early June. We will definitely let everyone know once we get the details ironed out. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon!
It may seem like a small thing, but we just got our credit card processing machine in, so now we can accept payment in the form of Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards! Look at this little guy:
Welcome to the 20th century! Woo woo!
For the last thirty-some years Shirley has kept an ongoing record of inventory, orders, and customer preferences in her head.
Without her, we are going to have to get organized! Most of the genres will be pretty familiar, but we are looking at new shelving and labels to make the store browseable and convenient. With a lot of shuffling and data entry, we aim to make our inventory digital as well.
Come in and let us know what you like about the "book store experience." What is your vision for our new store? After all, books are for dreamers :)
908 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829
(906) 786-0751 Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 5:30pm, Sat 11am - 4pm,