Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Owl. Owl who?
Owl good things come to those who wait.
Well . . .
I waited and waited, for many months, and then, when I least expected it, on a blustery Thursday morning, opportunity came knocking. Early for an engagement, I parked my car and realized I was right across the street from a newer bookstore I’ve been wanting to visit. With forty minutes to spare and opportunity calling, I crossed the street, walked a few more steps and, I opened the door.
This is what I found this inside.
It looks like a kitchen. Well, it really IS a kitchen. It is a kitchen, inside a bookstore, which is inside a furniture store.There are often cooking classes at Prairie Path Books, with food authors come by, and there is a tasty collection of cookbooks and memoirs that are sure to tempt my palate.
Book clubs are invited inside for their discussions. There is even a nicely appointed room where food and drinks are welcome, not to mention a discount on the books they are reading and discussing.
Prairie Path Books is owned and operated by women who have a vision for books and bookstores that align with what I always feel a bookstore should be. It sits inside Toms-Price, a long-established furniture store in downtown Wheaton. We own a cabinet from the store.
The poetry and humor section and a wall of greeting cards grabbed my attention as soon as I stepped inside. A tasteful array of books the store recommends, with seasonal home decorations take their place on a book table, some books with personal notes attached, or newspaper articles about an author cleverly tucked inside. I was amazed at the attention to detail and applaud the exquisite reading selections in all genres.
Can a bookstore have a sense of self? I think this one does. It knows what readers who answer the knocking of opportunity want to read.
The younger set? A cozy little room and an open larger reading area where several children were reading or imagining with parents nearby. The store offers an array of children’s bookish activities as well as a large selection of children’s books.
Prairie Path Books has the perfect chairs for sitting upon with a potential read, but, of course it would, it is housed in a furniture store!
My meeting time was nearing, so, I picked up the small volume that caught my eye when I first walked in, Marilynne Robinson’s book of essays, “When I Was a Child I Read Books”. I made my purchase, and vowed to return to Prairie Path Books when I had a little more time for a closer ‘book look”.
Owl good things DO come to those who wait.
http://www.jokes4us.com/knockknockjokes/knockknockanimaljokes.html *
Wow, so cool! I know you’ve mentioned this place before. You’ll have to take me sometime. What a neat concept.
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I would LOVE to take you. Let’s set a date soon. I think you will like it, Jennifer. We can buy books – and then we can go eat crepes a few blocks away.
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It sounds just wonderful 🙂
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It WAS quite wonderful.
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Books AND furniture, all under one roof! WOW!! Frustrated decorator and book lover that I am, I’d be certain I’d died and gone to heaven!
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It’s not a bad way to go, Karen. It is big enough to have plenty of offerings, small enough to avoid being a big, boxy chain. I would have stayed longer had I not an engagement. 🙂
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Another great discovery, Penny! Several friends have mentioned this special bookstore recently. Can’t wait to visit Prairie Path Books! One of our favorite independent books stores is Town House Books in St. Charles. I always find wonderful books there! Wishing you a relaxing weekend with quiet hours to read! ♡
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I love Town House Books, but, have not been there in many-a-moon, Dawn. I think you will enjoy Prairie Path Books. From your neck of the woods, it would be a quick train ride (or car) as the store is near the station.
My poor plants, and I’m sure yours as well, are really getting battered with this wind. Phew! Good day for staying in with a book. 🙂 Thank you, Dawn. Have a good weekend.
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Even the name is perfect–Prairie Path Books! Sounds just like your kind of bookstore, Penny! i can definitely see why it would be so appealing in its choice of books tailored to readers and book clubs and not just flashy covers. I may be projecting a little into that, but this store reminds me of a favorite of mine that eventually closed. I frequently think of it with love! I’m so glad you’ve found a new special place. It looks like a place you could get lost in and I notice you mentioned you left with purchases! Good! 🙂
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Isn’t it a great name, Debra? It is actually near the Illinois Prairie Path, which is a popular path that bikers, hikers, and walkers frequent. I really should do a post on the Prairie Path one of these days. Anyways, I digress . . . this is a fabulous book shop. When I opened the door, I expected Kathleen Kelly to greet me (You’ve Got Mail). I only wish Andra could have been in it for her book tour when she was here. I think it was newly opened then. Anyways, it is not too small, but, definitely not big and boxy. Just right.
Sigh. Yes, I did leave with a book. 🙂
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What a wonderful place! I think I would take up residence there. 🙂
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It was hard for me to leave, Cath. It is a wonderful bookshop that I’m certain to visit often. It’s probably a good thing it isn’t close by.
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I really do love this Penny, as you know. It has given me an idea for the hospice shop where I work in Yorkshire. We have a wonderful book section, and I think we could organise a space for book clubs to meet. As soon as I get back to England, it will be discussed !
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What an exciting idea, Janice. 🙂 From what I’ve seen of the shop – and all the temptations you post – it should make for a very unique place for book discussions and sure wouldn’t hurt the shop. I sure wish we weren’t an ocean apart – but glad we are blogging buddies.
Let me know what happens when you get back.
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Owl my favorites in one place! What a splendid shop with many temptations for the holidays ahead.
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Your comment is a “hoot”. 🙂
It will be very tempting for me, for certain. I’ll use the excuse of looking for books for the children I buy for – and then buy for me. Marilyn, I think you would enjoy this bookshop.
Quite cool and very windy here lately. Fall is definitely here. I hope you are having a good weekend, my friend.
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Penny, I would love to have a bookstore like that here in my town. One with a kitchen, that would be perfect for me. Let us know how you liked your new book.
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It would be, wouldn’t it Gerlinde? I can imagine all that you would make. 🙂
I’m in the midst of a project, which will finish on Monday, then, some good sit down and read time. I will let you all know about this new book. I have enjoyed a few of her novels, “Gilead” and “Housekeeping”, so, am looking forward to her essays. Thanks for stopping by.
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What a lovely bookstore! Sounds like my kind of place.
Your post can at a most opportune time. I’ve waiting for something too. I’ll share what I’m waiting for at some point. For now, I can’t help seeing the significance of your post. 🙂
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You have aroused my curiosity L. Marie. 🙂 I look forward to hearing about it and seeing what it is. Sometimes blogs just have a way of linking – an opportune time, you say?
Hope you had a nice, if windy, weekend.
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Wow .. It is absolutely perfect. What a great idea. Wish I could find something like that.
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Oh, Sallie, I wish you could, too. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that there are some interesting bookstores where your new home is, though. Prairie Path Books is such a great bookstore.
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I’ve been meaning to go to that store. After reading your post, I’ve GOT to go! My husband probably thinks I’m crazy–I have so many books already. Bookcases full of them in our family room, books in my son’s room (he moved out), books in my bedroom–and that’s just the books I own. I always have a few books from three libraries also!
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Your books everywhere, including from the library, sounds like my house, Susan. That I only came home with one book was remarkable. You really do need to go to this wonderful bookshop. It is filled, of course, with books, but, with a bookish ambiance as well. Let me know if, no when you get there. 🙂
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Thanks for the great bookstore review! I am going to do my best to visit this place.
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I think you will like it, Janet. Good selections, not just best sellers, and a good bookish feeling. You know, it is a short train ride from your station to Wheaton and just a few blocks walk.
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What a delightful little bookshop, nestled cosily in just the right place. I can see myself stepping inside with great delight.
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It is a little jewel, Juliet, and a nice marriage of furniture and books.
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