Below are some of the specialty retailers I’ve found in 2017 through 2019 that sell books: children’s books, craft books, pet books, art books, history books, fiction, and more.
Art Stores
Charles H MacNider Art Museum Shop, 303 Second Street SE, Mason City IA; 641-421-3666. Web: http://www.macniderart.org. Art gifts, books, prints, and more.
Clear Lake Arts Center, 17 S 4th Street, Clear Lake IA 50428; 641-529-0143. Web: http://www.clearlakeartscenter.org. Arts and crafts gifts, supplies, books, and more.
El Museo Mercado, El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, 555 Camino de la Familia, Santa FE NM 87501. Web: http://www.elmuseoculturalwintermarket.com. This art museum shop features art, antiques, folk art, tribal art, beads, jewelry, rugs, and books.
Mobile Museum of Art, Museum Store, 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile AL 36608-1917; 251-208-5200. Web: http://www.mobilemuseumofart.com. Art gifts, toys, accessories, books, and household items.
Children’s Stores
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Museum Shop, 929 E Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53202; 414-390-5437. Web: https://www.bbcmkids.org. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettybrinn.
The shop offers educational and seasonal toys, books, puzzles, games, and craft kits, and specializes in toys for infants and toddlers. All items are carefully chosen to meet the developmental needs of children age 10 and younger.
Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum, Gift Shop, 1100 Main Street, Stevens Point WI 54481; 715-344-2003. Web: http://www.cwchildrensmuseum.org. Features toys, apparel, CDs, etc.
Children’s Museum of La Crosse, Fun Shop, 207 5th Avenue S, La Crosse WI 54601; 608-784-2652. Web: https://www.funmuseum.org/content/shop/fun-shop.
The store is full of affordable educational toys, art projects, logo items, games and other interactive playthings.
Dancing Bear Toys & Gifts, Tom England, Owner, 15 E Patrick Street, Frederick MD 21701; 301-631-9300. Email: info@dbeartoys.com. Web: http://www.dbeartoys.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dbeartoys. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbeartoys. Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dbeartoys. Toys, gifts, books, classes, activities, and camps.
Gammy & Gumpy’s Toy Store, 122 Main Street S, Stillwater MN 55082; 651-342-0144. Email: gammyandgumpys@gmail.com. Web: http://www.gammyandgumpys.com. They choose toys and books that are educational, eco-friendly, and encourage science and tech learning. Focus on kids age 1 to 8.
Harbor Toy Company, 409 Phoenix Street, South Haven MI 49090; 269-637-9300. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Harbor-Toy-Company-Inc-136604556030. Specializing in educational toys, books, dolls, kites, travel games, board games, and puzzles.
Lark Toys, Kathy and Ron Gray, 63604 170th Avenue, Kellogg MN 55945; 507-767-3387. Email: info@larktoys.com. Web: http://www.larktoys.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LARK.Toys. One of the top 10 best toy stores in the world (USA Today).
Little Red Wagon – Kid’s Stuff, 4417 220th Trail, Amana IA 52203; 319-622-3822. Web: http://www.amanageneralstore.com. Feature toys, books, puzzles, games, and more.
Monique’s Book Boutique, 3347 State Route 52, White Sulphur Springs NY 12787; 845-292-2665. Email: moniquesbooksboutique@hotmail.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MONIQUESBOOKSBOUTIQUE. A used children’s bookstore with some new books and author signings.
Moon Rabbit Toys, Shana Hack, Owner, Plaza Mercado, 112 W San Francisco Street #202, Santa Fe NM 87501; 505-982-9373. Email: moonrabbittoys@mindspring.com. Web: http://www.moonrabbittoys.com. Features toys, games, and books.
Oh My Darlings, Carla Ruppert, Owner, 508 Phoenix Street, South Haven MI 49090; 269-637-7900. Web: http://www.ohmydarlings.com. Upscale kid’s store featuring toys, books, games, and baby items.
Second store: Oh My Darlings, 312A State Street, St. Joseph MI 49085; 269-588-3008.
Orpheum Children’s Science Museum Gift Shop, 346 N Neil Street, Champaign IL 61820; 217-352-5895. Email: info@orpheumkids.com. Web: http://www.orpheumkids.net. Features science kits, toys, gifts, books, and more.
Out of the Blue, Lisa Gallegos, Manager, 2502 Rio Grande Boulevard NW, Albuquerque NM 87104-3224; 505-242-4455; Fax: 505-242-6379. Email: info@outofthebluetoys.com. Web: http://www.outofthebluetoys.com. Features toys, crafts, games, magic, science and nature kits, and books.
Petunia’s Place, Debbie Manning and Jean Fennacy, co-owners, Opus I Shopping Center, 6027 N Palm Avenue, Fresno CA 93704; 559-438-1561; Fax: 559-438-1563. Web: http://www.petuniasbooks.com. Email: info@etuniasbooks.com. Motto: Fine books for children and young adults.
The Toy Shop, 115 2nd Street S, La Crosse WI 54601; 608-519-9598. Email: info@TheToyShopLaCrosse.com. Web: https://www.thetoyshoplacrosse.com. Sells toys, games, puzzles, and books.
Turtle Town Books & Gifts, 25481 Main Street, Nisswa MN 56468; 218-963-4891; 800-635-7809. Email: turtletown@nisswa.net. Web: http://www.turtletownnisswa.com. Features books, ebooks, toys, cards, games, crafts, and puzzles. Half the store is devoted to children’s books.
Crafts and Hobby Stores
Acorn19 Bead Co., Melanie M.E., 319 S Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls SD 57104; 605-977-2147. Email: thebeadco@hotmail.com. Web: http://www.acorn19.com. They offer beading supplies and tools, millions of beads, and beading classes.
Athena Fibers, 2915 S Hawthorne, Sioux Falls SD 57105; 605-271-0741. Email: athenafibers@gmail.com. Web: http://www.athenafibers.com. Knitting, crocheting, and fiber arts supplies, fabrics, books, and classes.
The Cherry Pit Quilt Shop, 115 Bruce Street, Sevierville TN 37862; 865-453-4062. Web: http://www.cherrypitquiltshop.com. Quilting supplies, patterns, books, and more.
Country Stitches, Priscilla Ryan, Owner, 30 W Main Street, Blue Ridge GA 30513; 706-632-3070. Email: countrystitches@tds.net. Web: http://www.countrystitchesinc.net. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countrystitchesincblueridgega. Quilts, fabrics, patterns, books, kits, gifts, and more.
Darn Knit Anyway, Brick Alley Building, 421-423 S Main Street, Stillwater MN 55082; 651-342-1386. Email: info@darnknitanyway.com. Web: http://www.darnknitanyway.com. Features yarns, patterns, crafts, and classes.
Earthly Elements, 33 N Market Street, Frederick MD 21701; 301-631-5511. Email: rb4@comcast.net. Web: http://www.earthlyrocks.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Earthly-Elements-More-Than-a-Rock-Shop-368114334101. Rocks, crystals, geodes, gifts, books.
Fiber Addicts, 403 Jefferson Street, Burlington IA 52601; 319-209-2087. Email: fiberaddictsiowa@gmail.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiberaddictsiowa.
Free Time Hobbies, 47 Dunbarton Farm Road, Blue Ridge GA 30513; 706-946-1120; Fax: 678-550-8889. Email: sales@freetimehobbies.com. Web: http://www.freetimehobbies.com. Model trains, kits, general hobby, books, magazines, and supplies.
Hyderhangout: Quilt Fabric & More, 219 1st Street NE, Cleveland TN; 423-715-2908. Email: susan@hyderhangout.com. Web: http://www.hyderhangout.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Hyderhangout-Quilt-Fabric-More-175349025837467. Quilting fabric, supplies, notions, books, and classes.
Jumping Mouse Beads, 781 E Main Street, Blue Ridge GA 30513; 706-276-1215. Web: http://www.jumpingmousebeads.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jumping-Mouse-Beads-153495734693996. Beads, crystals, kits, books, classes, and art.
The Pickett Fence, 100 W Blackhawk Avenue, Prairie du Chien WI 53821; 608-326-4593. Email: info@fencepostfabrics.com. Web: http://www.fencepostfabrics.com. A quilt shop and candy store featuring quilting and sewing supplies, tools, patterns, books, and more.
Sea Quilt Shoppe, 22131 Cotton Creek Drive, Gulf Shores AL 36542; 251-968-7327. Quilting fabrics and supplies, patterns, books, and classes.
Sheep’s Clothing Knitting Supply, 60 W Lincolnway, Valparaiso IN 46383; 219-462-1700. Web: http://www.knitdoctor.com. A knit and crochet shop offering fabrics, supplies, patterns, books, and classes.
Strings & Stitches Yarn Shoppe, 449 Industrial Boulevard #165, Ellijay GA 30540; 706-698-5648. Web: http://www.stringsandstitches.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Strings-and-Stitches-Yarn-Shoppe-153143794754570. Yarn, crocheting and knitting supplies, books, patterns, and classes.
Yarn & Coffee, Deborah Grossman, Owner, 1836 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe NM 87505; 505-780-5030. Email: info@yarnandcoffee.com. Web: http://www.yarnandcoffee.com. Yarn supplies, tools, patterns, books, and accessories. Plus classes and stitching groups.
Gourmet Shops
Health Food Stores
History Stores (including military, etc.)
Flight Deck Museum Store, National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Boulevard #C, Naval Air Station Pensacola FL 32508; 800-247-6289; Fax: 850-456-0099. Email: sales@navalaviationmuseum.org. Web: http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org. Military clothing, gifts, books, movies, CDs, toys, home furnishings, and more.
Northeast Georgia History Center Museum Store, 322 Academy Street NE, Gainesville GA 30501; 770-297-5900. Web: http://www.negahc.org. Gifts and books about history, humor, historical fiction, cooking, photography, and more.
The books in our museum shop span a wide variety of subjects including history, photographic essays, cooking, humor, nature and historical fiction. Some of these books are exclusive to our shop. Many of our books are written by north Georgia authors including Gordon Sawyer, Zell Miller, Thomas Rasmussen, Vic Wilson, Linda Rucker Hutchens, and Ella Wilmont-Smith.
Railway Gift Shop, Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, 76 Toccoa Avenue McCaysville GA 30555; 706-964-6580. Email: gift.shop@brscenic.com. Web: http://www.brscenic.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueridgescenicrailway. Railroad gifts, history, apparel, books, and more.
Mind/Body/Spirit Stores (New Age Stores)
Crystal Forests, Irene Richardson, 38 S Market Street #3, Frederick MD 21701; 301-524-9572. Email: Irene@crystalforests.com. Web: http://www.crystalforests.com. Psychic readings, gifts, crystals, books, and more.
OptiMysm, Nyna Matysiak, Manager, 129 Kit Carson Road #E, Taos NM 87571; 575-741-8545. Email: taosmetaphysicalshop@gmail.com. Web: http://www.optimysm.myshopify.com.
New and used mind/body/spirit books, gifts, crystals, tarot decks, and more. Plus readings.
Mysteries
The Poisoned Pen, 4014 N Goldwater Boulevard #101, Scottsdale AZ 85251; 888-560-9919. Web: http://www.poisonedpen.com. Mysteries and detective novels. Features over 200 major mystery author signings every year.
Pet Stores
Blue Ridge Bird Seed Company, Tom Striker, 611 E Main Street, Blue Ridge GA 30513; 706-258-2473. Bird feeders, bird food, gifts, books, walks, and seminars.
Love Dogs and Cats Too, 777 E Main Street, Blue Ridge GA 30513; 706-632-8668. Email: rickismart@tds.net. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Love-Dogs-and-Cats-Too-171014882940981. Pet supplies, pet food, books, and more.
Pets on Main, 108 N Main Street, Ellijay GA 30540; 706-698-0108. Email: pets@petsonmain.com. Web: http://www.petsonmain.com. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/petsonmain.Pet supplies, pet toys, pet accessories, grooming, and more.
Religious Stores
Faith & Life, Bethany Martin, 606 N Main Street, Newton KS 67114; 316-283-2210. Email: info@faithandlifebookstore.com. Web: http://www.faithandlifebookstore.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaithandLifeBookstore. Motto: Encouraging Everyday Faith to Inspire Extraordinary Life. Christian fiction, children’s books, biographies, devotionals, as well as Christian living, love and marriage, and spiritual life. This nonprofit store also sells Bibles, greeting cards, music, clothing, and gifts.
Science and Nature Stores
Mineral Museum and Bookstore, New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, New Mexico Tech, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro NM 87801-4796; 575-835-5490. Web: http://www.geoinfo.nmt.edu.
Top 900 Independent Bookstores Data Files — This list started out as 500, then 600, and now over 900 top general bookstores. It includes names of the book buyers and event coordinators, address, phone, fax, email, website, and other information about each bookstore. You will be able to download two key formats (Microsoft Access and Excel) as well as an info sheet to let you know what is contained in the various data files. Data file download, $50.00.
See also Christmas Gift Shops
See also State-Focused Gift Shops
About John Kremer
John Kremer is author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, the Relationships Matter Marketing program, and many other books and reports on book marketing, Internet marketing, social media, and book publicity. -- John Kremer on Book Marketing.
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