MARQUETTE – Saturday, April 26th marks National Independent Bookstore Day in the United States, and Marquette bookstores are celebrating in style. Snowbound Books, Bromley’s Books, and Read My Lips Romance Bookshop will all be holding events between 10 am and 5 pm on the 26th, featuring an Independent Bookstore Day passport that can be stamped at all three locations for a chance to win prizes.

Organized by the American Bookseller’s Organization, Independent Bookstore Day began in 2013 as a way to celebrate local booksellers.

“A bookstore’s job is to provide a safe place for people to explore new worlds and ideas,” said Dana Welshans, owner of Snowbound Books. “Snowbound is not the same place for everyone. For some it’s a quiet reprieve from work or family, while others see it as a social outlet. Folks come in looking to learn, to escape, to improve something in their lives. We are all of that, every day.”

Saturday also marks the official opening of Bromley’s Books’ brick and mortar location at 813 North Third Street – up until now they have been operating a mobile business from inside of their book bus.

“At Bromley’s, we’ll be hosting an all-day tea party to celebrate both Indie Bookstore Day and our Grand Opening,” said Chelsea Bromley, owner of Bromley’s Books. “We’ll have prizes and giveaways throughout the day, and we’ll wrap up the celebrations with an afterparty and reopening of our book bus at Blackrocks Brewery.”

Marquette has had an independent bookstore in the form of Snowbound Books since 1984, but Bromley’s Books and Read My Lips are both relatively new, indicating the area’s growing interest in purchasing from local bookstores.

“Small business owners don’t rely on algorithms or kowtow to shareholders, so we can be as funky – or serious, or silly – as we want,” said Welshans. “Shopping independent means shopping the unexpected. You know exactly what you’re getting when you walk into Target, but indies surprise you. You create memories at indies and meet new friends.

“On the financial side, which is easy to forget about, small businesses are the ones who donate to your raffles, pay property taxes, and employ your neighbors. More of your money stays in our community through economic “recycling” – what you spend goes back into taxes, payroll, and our own shopping within the community. Over 50% of every dollar spent at a local business stays in the community, versus around 17% at big boxes, and 0% when shopping online conglomerates.”

When asked what the most rewarding part of operating a bookstore is, Welshan’s replied that “On a business level, I love that we’ve become a destination store for Marquette and I’m tickled silly when people outside of the area recognize the store. On a personal level, I love introducing readers to books that become their favorites. I love that I have two gals working here now who have been shopping at SB since they were just little bits.”

“Marquette has such a dynamic literary community, with readers and writers of all ages, it’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of it,” said Bromley. “For me, it’s really about the connections you’re able to make with people through books, whether it’s sharing a favorite read or helping others discover something new.

“Bookshops provide so much more than a place to buy books, they really become beloved anchors in a community. Bookshops offer places to gather, connect, and discover, for locals and visitors alike. Indie bookstores are the first places I visit when travelling because they always feel like home and give you a sense of the community they’re part of.”

For more information about Independent Bookstore Day celebrations in Marquette, contact Snowbound Books at (906) 228-4448, Bromley’s Books at bromleysbooks@gmail.com, or Read My Lips at (906) 273-0230.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 542. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.