By Julie Young

Independent bookstores are literary sanctuaries created for readers by readers. They are cozy spaces with distinctive character that offer a curated collection of books, games, and gifts. The shops also host author signings, lectures, creative workshops, and more. Despite their status as a “small business,” independent bookstores significantly impact the local community. 

An independent bookstore is not just a place to buy books. They are a cornerstone of a community’s cultural life. They are gathering spaces where folks can connect and share ideas in a meaningful way. They celebrate diversity, inspire the imagination, and open worlds to new readers just discovering the written word. Not only do they provide a high level of customer service that you won’t get from an online warehouse, but when you shop at an independent bookstore, you are helping to make the world a better place. You support sustainability, reduce your carbon footprint, and invest in the local economy. Indiana has over 60 independent bookstores around the state. Read on to learn more about three unique bookstores that aim to enhance their communities.

An awesome adventure

Laura Kendall does not remember a time when she didn’t love to read. She grew up as a library kid who devoured both “The Babysitter’s Club” and the “American Girl” series before graduating to the more emotionally charged Lurlene McDaniel novels and classics such as “Where the Red Fern Grows.” In time, the La Porte, Indiana, native moved to Indianapolis, where she obtained her MFA in writing from Butler University. However, she never dreamed of owning a bookshop until the opportunity presented itself in 2016. 

Her husband, Justin, saw an article about a used bookstore in Lafayette closing and jokingly asked if Kendall wanted to own a bookstore. The more she thought about it, the more she thought it sounded like an awesome adventure, and the two launched Second Flight Books in the Market Square Shopping Center on Elmwood Avenue that year. In 2020, they moved to their current location on Scott Street.

Their closest competition was Main Street Books, which opened the year before. Owned by Tamzin Malone, Main Street Books was primarily a used bookstore with a few new titles here and there. The two stores enjoyed their friendly rivalry, but when Malone died of cancer in 2021, her husband, Ted, approached the Kendalls about taking over the store. 

“Ted approached us in the spring of 2022 to gauge our interest, and after a series of discussions, we formally took over in the fall of that year,” said Kendall. “It was a huge adjustment going from one store to two regarding hours and management. Running two stores requires a lot of hours, even though they are not necessarily spent on the floor at the shop.”

When the couple took over Main Street Books, they pivoted the stock from used books to new titles and eventually added a larger selection of gift and sideline items to maximize the use of the space. They knew that making the shop truly sustainable required increased sales, so they made some big changes to try and make it work. 

“We still carry used books and our dollar cart is well-loved, but overall, we have found that our downtown customers are usually OK with a new book sticker price,” she said. “Although we are a general interest shop, we also have a local section with regional history and authors.” 

Kendall said that while it’s hard to compete with online juggernauts that offer deep discounts on their titles, adding a personal touch and building relationships helps her businesses grow. Customers love the handwritten “shelf-talkers” highlighting the books they are excited about and the “staff pick” shelf. 

Main Street Books also hosts two monthly book club groups, sponsors the occasional author event, and collaborates with other businesses for special events. 

“Indie bookstores are not usually big margin businesses, so our continuous goal is to make sure that the shop is sustainable, and to be able to increase pay and benefits to our booksellers,” she said. “Despite the inflation of the past few years, we continue to see our sales and customer base grow, so I think we are doing something right.” 

Adding value

Bookstores have always felt like a home away from home to Tiffany Lauderdale Phillips, and the Owensboro, Kentucky, native always sought out her local independent dealer whenever she moved to a new place. She met some of her early literary loves in these shops, such as Beverly Cleary, C.S. Lewis, Maya Angelou, and Harper Lee. When her husband, George, took a job in the English department at Franklin College, the family moved to Franklin, Indiana, a community without a bookstore where Lauderdale Phillips could browse and get to know her neighbors. 

She eventually discovered a vacant two-room space on Water Street where the licensed attorney could continue her remote work managing a firm’s litigation portfolio while using the other room for another business. She took a class on how to open a bookstore, signed a lease in July 2016, and opened Wild Geese Bookshop the following October. In 2021, she moved the store to its current location on Madison Street, and today, it’s her primary career. 

“We carry all new books in most genres, and we curate our shelves with a lot of care,” said Lauderdale Phillips, noting that she tends to be very selective about the titles she carries. “I don’t carry dieting books or books that make people feel that they are not enough as they are. Rather, I hope to be a place where books spark imagination, curiosity, and joy.” 

Wild Geese Bookshop strives to support authors and promote books that the marketing machine might overlook. Likewise, when authors take the time to supply her with bookplates, agree to do an in-store signing, or share the store’s link with their readers, she is grateful because it reminds folks that there is another option for product purchases that better supports the book ecosystem.

Wild Geese Bookshop has brought some big names to Franklin in the past few years, including sold-out events for authors like like Christina Lauren and Frederik Backman at the Historic Artcraft Theatre, located down the street from the shop. When asked how she has enticed popular authors to come to such a small town, she said, “We try to make these events a great experience not only for our readers but also for the authors. They share their experience, and that encourages others to want to do events here.” 

Lauderdale Phillips tries to create event experiences that marry the love of books with something fun to do in real life with other people who share similar interests. They participate in the Indie Book Crawl every year and partner with local businesses to create merchandise for the store, as well as venues and vendors who can help make a book-related event even more special for the public. 

Lauderdale Phillips said that independent bookstores offer a different experience from online retailers, and her customers appreciate that difference. After all, an algorithm can only make recommendations based on one’s reading history, while a bookseller can meet a customer where they are in the current moment, ask further questions, and then offer personalized suggestions without judgment. As this chapter of her life continues, Lauderdale Phillips hopes to continue providing meaningful programming that adds to Franklin’s overall quality of life. 

“We are a place where you can bring guests visiting from out of town and have a nice experience,” she said. “Our gift wrap is thoughtful and complimentary. We have a lovely porch for reading or visiting with a friend. We also offer online convenience, but our main day-to-day, in-person goal is to add value to people’s lives.” 

Cultivating community connection 

When Better Worlds Books in Goshen abruptly closed its brick-and-mortar location on March 30, 2019, Veronica Berkey, Kristin Saner, and Shadow Weirich swung into action. Believing every town needed a bookstore, the trio, along with help from Jenny Frech and Jeremy Frieden, crafted a plan to launch a new literary venture. Mark Saner and Gary Berkey joined them, and on July 16, 2019, the team opened Fables Books on Main Street in Goshen and has proudly served the area ever since.

Fables Books offers a wide selection of new and used books, games, puzzles, limited editions, apparel, and more. Weirich oversees the store’s used content, partnering with local libraries, “Friends of the Library” organizations, and scouring estate sales to acquire unique items for the inventory. Berkey handles purchasing all new books, gifts, games, and other non-book-related materials. She meets with the various publishing representatives to hear about upcoming titles, reads through the trade publications, and evaluates which titles and authors have sold well in the past. 

“She works to bring in literary gifts that align with our mission and highlight literacy as well as Indiana and the Midwest,” said Kristin Saner. “She also works with our bookseller Mark Daniels, a board game enthusiast, to stock a variety of games.” 

Saner is in charge of marketing, and Fables Books holds a variety of in-store special events throughout the year. It sponsors three book club discussion groups at area restaurants and bars and participates in Downtown Goshen, Inc.’s First Friday event with Author Meet & Greets or other special programming with area partners. 

“We also host book launch parties, author talks, and other events that excite and relate to our community and readers,” Saner said. 

Sanger said that independent bookstores are precious places full of discovery, new ideas, and stories, as well as old familiar tales. While it is impossible to compete with a certain online retailer, which can offer books at wholesale prices, she says independent booksellers offer one-on-one experiences and personal service that a website can’t replicate. 

“These large online businesses are a computer, an algorithm that sees books as a loss leader — an item to get customers to buy other items with a higher profit margin,” she said. “We are humans in a physical space where people can gather and connect with others. We live here. We have kids who are going or have gone to area schools. We care about the local economy and the local government. This is our home, and our customers aren’t just customers. They are our friends, family, and community.” 

The spirit of resilience and innovation

Independent bookstores are not just retail spaces but vital community hubs that foster connection, creativity, and a love for literature. These three bookshops exemplify the spirit of resilience and innovation, adapting their businesses to better serve their communities’ needs. 

As these bookstores continue to thrive, they will remain essential cornerstones in the literary landscape, inspiring future generations of readers and writers alike. So next time you’re looking for your next great read, consider visiting an independent bookstore near you — it’s an adventure that benefits everyone involved.

Looking for an independent bookstore near you? 

Visit newpages.com for a list of independent bookstores in Indiana.