MicroFests & Special Events

Throughout the year the shop sponsors several MicroFests. These are usually one day events, typically held on Saturdays, that are intended to be fun and engaging. Examples include Founders Day (July), Frank & Stein (October), and Ho! Ho! Ho! in NewBo and A Very Merry Anniversary (December).

One of the shop’s biggest days of the year is Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) held the last Saturday in April. Over 1,000 independent bookstores representing all 50 states participate annually. We pull out all the stops by offering IBD exclusive merchandise, in-store promotions, prize drawings, beverages for adults and children, and plenty of snacks.

In addition, Plaid Friday (the alternative to Black Friday), and Small Business Saturday are celebrated the weekend following the Thanksgiving holiday. We are known for our decorative window displays and this is the weekend our Winter (Wonderland) Window debuts along with seasonal decorations throughout the store.

 Neighborhood Events

Our neighborhood, a designated Main Street Iowa district, hosts several special events throughout the year. Two of our favorites are Cider Stroll (October) and Deck the District (December).

 Cider Stroll is held on a Thursday evening (usually 5-8pm) in October and is an opportunity for customers to leisurely walk through the neighborhood, pop into participating stores, and sample cider-themed drinks and snacks. Deck the District is held the first weekend in December and serves as the unofficial neighborhood kickoff for the holiday shopping season.

 Author Events

The shop periodically hosts author events such as readings, book signings, and meet-and-greets. During the summer months we occasionally host local authors on Saturday afternoons for book signings. Authors interested in taking advantage of in-store opportunities should contact the store for more details and scheduling information.