When Michael Herrmann took over the venerable Gibson's Bookstore in Concord nearly twenty years ago, the store had been synonymous with reading for some 96 years. I can recall visiting the store in a couple of different locations over the years and always being surprised at how quiet it was inside. It was almost tantamount to the quiet that settled over the Concord Public Library when I was a child. These emporiums of reading seemed to strive to maintain a certain peace. I even recall being glared at once or twice for turning the pages of a book too loudly.
Walking into Gibson's in the past twenty years however, has been more of an all enveloping community experience, where the sheer energy and obvious delight of the shoppers is infectious. You're also apt to run into many friends and possibly make a few new ones.
Since opening the new store at 45 South Main Street about a year ago, Gibson's has truly set a standard for excellence as a real destination stop and the perfect way to spend a day.
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It's spacious and welcoming and I dare you to leave without making a purchase or two, so appealing are the books that are displayed. Browsing is encouraged and it's about more than just books although there is something to read for someone from 1 to 100. There are magazines, cards, calendars, Imagination Village and True Brew Café and I mustn't forget the knowledgeable and very friendly staff who set a new bar for customer service.
Visit their website at www.gibsonsbookstore.com to find out about their many author events, the Book Club and an array of other things happening at Gibsons. They're even open seven days a week. I should also note their great support for local authors - I should know first-hand - and the section providing you the opportunity to find out what some pretty good area storytellers are writing.
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The indefatigable Michael Herrmann paid a visit to "Downtown Dialogues" on WKXL last week and we talked about Gibsons, his love of books and he also shared some titles for some great summer "reads".
Listen in to our chat at the link below, and then either visit the website for Gibsons or even better, drop in and spend some quality time at another of those local businesses that make Concord so special.
