View area storm coverage and share your photos.

Road Trip: Take a book drive to state's indie shops

Mary Bergin
Midwest Features  —  5/01/2008 5:03 pm

The one-hour drive to Spooner from Amery, in northwest Wisconsin, is circuitous and captivating. The route is not difficult -- U.S. 63 pretty much gets you there -- but the road twists from one surprise to another.

Like what? We blew through Cumberland, home of the summertime Rutabaga Festival, a 75-year tradition. We passed Bella Curella, part of a century-old cheese factory near Comstock, and loved repeating the Italian deli's name out loud. We were charmed by pretty Shell Lake and had time to only wonder about its mysterious Museum of Woodcarving.

Somewhere along the way, we noted that Seventh Street comes right between 25

and 26

avenues. Before the morning ended, we had heard about -- and toured -- a classy, cozy yurt for rent by the night near Trego (Namekagon Waters Retreat, 715-635-2027).

Our destination was

Northwind Book & Fiber

(www.northwindbook.com, 715-635-6811). Like a lot of other independently owned bookstores, Northwind stocks more than fiction and nonfiction. Also for sale is jewelry by local artists, yarn for handicraft projects, unusual toys, games and gifts.

Former owner Alene Peterson, now retired but still associated with the business, has helped improve exposure of "regional products that are handmade and homegrown," through development of the 13-county Northwest Heritage Passage organization (www.heritagepassage.com, 715-635-9303). The project showcases dozens of artists and growers.

Hers is but one example of how independent bookstore owners invest in their community and become more than a place to do business. They can be the soul of a society, a place where people gravitate for conversation and collaboration.

Here are other Wisconsin bookstores that make a pleasant mark on the world:

Chequamegon Book and Coffee Co.

, 2 E. Bayfield St., Washburn: In 1995, Richard and Carol Avol moved to this community of 2,300 with about 1,300 boxes of books. They had been longtime bookstore operators in Madison, and friends wondered if they left their sanity behind when heading north.

Why would a used bookstore succeed in this relatively remote part of Wisconsin? Success means stacking the shelves the right way.

Richard says the area has the highest number of college-educated people, per capita, in the state. So remainders, overstocks and private book collections lean toward scholarly titles. Regional history, Lake Superior, natural history, folklore, Wisconsin, Native American, music, art, textiles and maritime titles are niches that extend to online sales.

For more: www.abebooks.com/home/cheqbookco, 715-373-2899

Ocooch Books & Libations

, 145 W. Court St., Richland Center: Sip a brew, as in micro, as you scan the inventory or settle into a new plot. Wines are another option; sometimes these free tastings on Fridays and Saturdays coincide with book readings. (The business has no license to sell alcoholic beverages -- yet.)

The bookstore is named after the hills in the area, the highest spot between the Kickapoo, Pine and Baraboo rivers. At this shop, Wisconsin authors get priority treatment. A recent signing for "The Dangerous Book for Dogs," written by staffers from The Onion, was wildly popular because the authors include "favorite native sons."

Owner Daniel Miller is setting aside more space for fine art, too. Oils by Valerie Mangion are in place May 9.

For more: 647-8826

Novel Ideas

, 8085 Wis. 57, Baileys Harbor: We love the colorful, fanciful murals that grace the walls at this friendly Door County business, which is especially fun for children. In stock are games and toys, as well as books for all ages.

Owners Pat and Michelle Palmer, a father-daughter team, schedule storytelling for children on Saturday mornings but also have brought in Harley-loving cookbook author Bill "Biker Billy" Hufnagle for a cookout.

For more: www.novelideas-books.com, 920-839-1300

Bibliomaniacs

, 324 E. Walworth Ave., Delavan: As a book lover, you might like the thought of a separate area for the store's 3,000 rare or collector edition titles. The used bookstore doesn't simply stock -- it collects and knows book value.

If you are an animal lover, expect an extra treat: A trio of felines -- Xena, Yum Yum and Zoey -- kept customers in line when we visited. They were aloof and lazy, lounging in patches of sunshine. "They have been spayed, so don't even ask about kittens," a sign advised. "And if you bring up their weight, don't be surprised if we comment about yours."

For more: www.abebooks.com/home/bibliomaniacswi, 262-728-9933

Happy Tales Bookshop

, W1778 County K, Markesan: Books seem to be everywhere on this farm, but most are housed quite neatly in a former 400,000-gallon manure storage tank that is called Castle Arkdale. Yes, that is odd, but it's also a comfortable space to browse and linger. Knotty pine walls, books at two levels, quilts and rockers add to a down-home feel.

Owners Leonore and Lloyd Dickman figure that they have one-half million books: old, banned, rare, cheap, children's. You name it. She is a retired UW-Oshkosh education professor.

For more: 920-398-3375. Open by chance or appointment.

A Room of One's Own

, 307 W. Johnson St., Madison: The state's best-known feminist bookstore has been around since 1975, off of State Street, downtown. Some UW faculty in women's studies will head here to discover new and enlightening titles for themselves and their students.

Resources about gender issues and diversity are plentiful. The children's section contains non-sexist material. A coffeehouse makes the overall space comfortable for conversation.

For more: www.roomofonesown.com, 257-7888

info@roadstraveled.com

Mary Bergin
Midwest Features  —  5/01/2008 5:03 pm