All my children’s spouses love to read, but my only daughter-in-law, Mandi, always had that added spark that caused us to wonder and dream about booksy things when we were together. Conversations varied wildly, but books seemed to be the focus anytime we were together around the table playing pinochle or eating dinner. We could dream for hours about what our imaginary bookstore might look like. It would have deeply comfortable leather chairs, a crackling fireplace, hand-written reviews, lots of quirky sidelines, and a staff of erudite, quirky booksellers to match.
One evening in early 2000, my late husband called our bluff. Being a businessman himself and used to taking risks to fulfill dreams, he asked if we were going to talk about owning a bookstore forever or actually open one? That’s all it took. We started thinking seriously about the possibility. Mandi came up with the name Inklings that would honor not only the beloved Inklings authors such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, but would have the double meaning of an idea, something with incredible potential and unstoppable force. An idea, an inkling, is welcoming, inviting conversation and brainstorming, stimulating debate and comfortable banter. That Inkling grew like a cheeky little imp. The imp was soon running and skipping faster and faster.
Decisions made were becoming unstoppable. We applied for a business license, started making book lists, found a delightful old warehouse with independent retail and restaurant neighbors and (gulp) signed a lease. Custom shelves were ordered, and we spent a very hot weekend with all family on deck staining said shelves. A coffee bar was ordered and our first employees, consisting mostly of relatives, were trained as booksellers/baristas. Asking friends and experts for lists of their favorite books, we added them to our own. We opened accounts with publishers and distributors and worked like madwomen throughout the summer—well, like madwomen who had an army of supportive friends and family.
The doors of Inklings Bookshop swung open on September 18, 2000. The doubts crept in. What if we had done all this, but it didn’t excite anyone but us? We fired up the coffee bar, gave away cookies, had drawings and prizes and they came... They swarmed in. We were elated. I’ll never forget a man coming into the store, looking all around, and saying, “This is a Seattle-kind of place!”
We are now a full-grown, bona fide independent bookstore in our second and larger location. We’ve watched our customer’s children and grandchildren grow up and helped them celebrate a lifetime of occasions in literature. We meet new friends every single day and are grateful and humbled by the support of a strong book-loving community.
We curate a well-rounded inventory, help supply our local schools with books, and write reviews for the Yakima Herald-Republic weekly. We order books every weekday, so special orders are speedy. We are avid supporters of the American Booksellers Association and the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association—the best trade associations ever. We also host a few events throughout the year, including our Cozy Mysteries for Halloween event every October, where we invite two authors to come over, chat with our customers, and sign some books.
We are encouraged as we go into the future. Kids are reading. Adults are reading. There is still nothing as magical or mysterious as a good book. Books are here to stay. By the way, the
only dream that didn’t come true was the crackling fireplace. We do have an electric one that
puts out a paltry amount of heat, but the emotional warmth it creates is lovely.
I’ve cut back my hours in the store for now, but my staff continues to make me look good every day. They read widely and enthusiastically share their favorite books from every genre. They write weekly book reviews, assist our local educators, hold many author events, and go beyond the call of duty all the time with our daily customers.
On Winning the We Love Bookstores $500 Award
Thank you for the honor bestowed on Inklings Bookshop and the recognition of the important role of frontline booksellers in our community. The We Love Bookstores Award from Sisters in Crime was a shot in the arm for us, financially and emotionally. We plan to use the generous award to encourage our co-workers however possible, starting with an all-staff dinner in August.
Connect with Inklings Bookshop:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inklingsbookshop
Twitter: https://twitter.com/inklingsbooks?lang=en
