Bookworms can rejoice as Saturday marks National Independent Bookstore Day.

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.”

“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.”

Anyone who is a book lover will agree that independent bookstores can often be the lifeblood of a community and our local bookstores show that each and everyday, whether it be midnight book releases, community events or even just having a conversation with the workers, local bookstores are some of the businesses with the most loyal customer base and deservedly so. We encourage everyone to participate in Independent Bookstore Day and to also frequent your local book sellers year round.

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.