A book lover’s escape
February 21, 2020
Mazie Maluka
THE MIRROR
Despite only being hidden behind Carl D’s Soft Serve and Gourmet Popcorn on Strongs Avenue, Blue Moon Books and Antiques is fairly unknown to many Stevens Point residences. Blue Moon Books and Antiques is the last book store left in town.
Steve Kirschling opened his store in 2001 with the intent of nurturing his love of reading. He is currently the last bookstore open in Stevens Point. He highly values the customer. His mentality is to “Enjoy the customers and people you meet. There is something new to learn from each customer.”
As a local business Kirschling is more invested in the well-being of our community than larger companies. Kirschling works with other local book-related organizations like the Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers’ Association’s (SPARTA) annual book sale.
Be warned it is extremely easy to get sucked into shelf after shelf of books. The store is set up wonderfully for meandering.
It is easy to see the appeal this store has for book lovers, but for a common shopper, this store has something for every shopper. Kirschling’s store also buys books back for instore credit or money directly. This service helps to make purchasing books reasonable for buyers of all backgrounds.
Kirschling is a knowledgeable store owner and if a customer has any trouble finding a title he can easily assist the shopper, in almost every instance. Kirschling offers a wide variety of titles. On the store website, they estimate that they have 55,000 books currently available for sale.
They also offer rare copies of books and out of print titles that other stores no longer carry. In the age of online shopping, it is fascinating to see Kirschling offer a service that most online stores simply can not.
The store is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s no need to worry about this store closing anytime soon. “I never even think about retirement. As long as I can be active and be successful, I’m happy with what I’m doing now.”
Kaitlyn Flanagan • Mar 8, 2020 at 10:45 PM
My neighbor used to work there and sometimes she took her granddaughter and I there to go and look for some books. I had no idea that they had so many books! That was cool to find out.
Wyatt Cornell • Mar 5, 2020 at 1:19 PM
I had no idea that we had our own book store here in Point. I like how you when I can go there and what I can expect.
Wyatt Cornell • Mar 4, 2020 at 7:31 PM
I had no idea Point had a book store. I like how the article has a nice flow.
Larson Lewis • Mar 2, 2020 at 1:58 PM
It’s good to know that a book store will be around in Stevens Point for many years to come. The article really made me want to go and check the place out.
Brian Kraege • Feb 28, 2020 at 1:48 PM
I think it’s nice to see these smaller shops around town, even if I didn’t know it was around until reading this.
McKenna Coyle • Feb 28, 2020 at 1:35 PM
This place sounds very unique, maybe I will check it out sometime. I do not like reading that often but I bet this place has so many options that I would be able to find something that would interest me.
Erich Vanblargan • Feb 28, 2020 at 8:59 AM
I know about the bookstore that has now become Sterling Optical and thought that was the only one in that are but I guess not.
Kenny Schultz • Feb 27, 2020 at 1:34 PM
I’ve been to that book store but it’s been so long. I really like the place and it still sounds like it’s nice.
Noah Viegut • Feb 27, 2020 at 1:20 PM
I can’t believe they have around 55,000 books for sale. How could anyone possible read all of those books.