This new feature on the KAXE Morning Show, Where We’re Reading adds to our Staff Librarian Tammy Bobrowsky’s longtime program, What We’re Reading. We'll learn about the business of books in rural places and what the community is reading.
BEMIDJI — In June of 2021, owners Gina and Jason Grinde opened independent Four Pines Bookstore in downtown Bemidji. With a family that loved reading paired with Gina's business degree, they built a business to bring books to Northern Minnesota.
Gina was on the KAXE Morning Show and talked about how she began, with mentorship from Bemidji's Launchpad and the American Booksellers Association.
"It told me what demographics I needed for my area and how many books on a bookshelf and stuff like that ... to see if it was feasible," she said.
Gina was surprised by how accurate the data was at predicting what the first year would be like.
"The community came out and supported me and kept me going," she said.
The support has lead to events suggested by the community like author events, book clubs, adult book sales at breweries and more.
Being a part of the business community was important to Gina as well.
"I love being downtown," she said. "Supporting our downtown is at the heart of Bemidji."
Events with authors like William Kent Krueger have brought in over 100 customers, and the owners have also created something they call "blind date with a book" for book clubs. The books are wrapped so customers don't know what they will get.
"Most of those books are our favorite," she said.
Recommendations by staff are also important to an independent bookstore. Gina talked about Anton Treuer's new young adult book, Where Wolves Won't Die.
"It's a great coming-of-age story, and it takes place starting in Minneapolis and then goes to his grandfather's trap line in Canada," she explained.
Gina also recommended other books for young adults like Rez Ball by Byron Graves.
The business of bookselling
Gina understands that for some, books are a luxury item.
"Sometimes we recommend going to the library, getting a book there if you can't afford hardcover," she said.
Four Pines offers a reward system where customers can earn points.
"People really do like that," she said. "They think that's better than trying to buy online somewhere."
Four Pines Bookstore works with other area booksellers to create author tours in the small towns of Northern Minnesota. This includes Wildflower Bookshop in Grand Rapids, Beagle and Wolf Books and Bindery in Park Rapids and Turtle Town Books in Nisswa.
Upcoming events at Four Pines Bookstore include a "Teacher's Night Out" on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. It includes an author event, massages for teachers, discounts and light refreshments.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 8 p.m., they will partner with Bemidji Brewing for a grown-up book fair, "Pages and Pints," with a focus on spine-chilling tales.
As always, we want to know what you are reading! And we want to know about your favorite bookstore or library!
Join our What We're Reading community on facebook, and catch up with author interviews on KAXE.
Listen to our full conversation with Gina Grinde above.
Have a favorite independent bookstore? Let us know!
