Skip to main content

IndieBound Blog

Founder and Co-owner of The Islander Bookshop, Melissa Haffeman, holds a book and smiles.

The Islander Bookshop in Kodiak, Alaska, recently expanded from their initial 800 sq ft location into a 3,000 sq ft space in the brand new Kodiak Marketplace. I spoke to The Islander Bookshop’s founder and co-owner, Melissa Haffeman, to hear about the recent expansion and what it's like to own an independent bookstore on an Alaskan island.

Words Unite: The Co-Op Built on Collaboration and Community

“Words Unite Bookstore was created with the everyday booklovers and indie-authors in mind,” said owner Ashley Marie Booker-Knight.

A blue and white sign hangs from a brick building.

Lion’s Tooth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, isn’t just a bookstore — it’s a vital part of Milwaukee’s thriving art scene. 

A table covered with a black tablecloth with the More Than Words logo sits in front of a white bookcase.

More Than Words, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit bookstore, is dedicated to helping young adults take charge of their lives.

Loyalty Bookstore founder, Hannah Oliver Depp, holds a bookstore tote bag with a dog inside.

Loyalty Bookstore co-owners, Hannah Oliver Depp (she/they) and Christine Bollow (she/her), tell us about Loyalty’s origin, motivation, and plans for the future!

Building a Business After Service: Veterans Day with Books & Black Coffee

For Veterans Day this year, we interviewed one of our many veteran-owned bookstores! Shonesha Evans founded Books & Black Coffee Co. after more than six years of service. Originally an online store, Evans will be opening a physical location in Savannah, Georgia, in 2024.