Carmichael's Bookstore Poised to Turn Thirty

Carmichael's Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky, has been a partnership of Carol Besse and Michael Boggs since they founded it 29 years ago. The two are joined in matrimony and their names are linked to create the bookstore's name -- Car(ol) + Michael. Before they started Carmichael's, the couple worked together at Barbara's Bookstore in Chicago.

Their bookstore operates out of two locations in Louisville, the original, 1,000-square-foot store is on Bardstown Road, and the 1,700-square-foot-store, opened in 1999, which is on Frankfort Avenue. Just a few miles apart, both stores are in the first residential neighborhood northeast of the downtown. "Although we have a citywide reach in terms of our reputation, we really consider ourselves a neighborhood store," Besse told BTW. "The area is home to many young families and professionals. That's our community."

Both store buildings are historic. The Bardstown Road store is connected to the locally owned Heine Brothers Coffee on one side and Ramsi's, a popular Palestinian restaurant on the other. "During busy evenings, our store becomes the waiting room for [Ramsi's]," Besse laughed. "Seriously, the wait staff come into the store and call out names." With all the activity from the three businesses, the patio in front of the bookstore becomes quite a hot spot at night, according to Besse.

The Frankfort Avenue location, also with a patio, benefits from its spot next to a gelato shop and another Heine Brothers Cafe. In addition, Carmichael's is one of the approved vendors for the Jefferson County school system; in another location, it operates a fulfillment facility.

Author readings and other events are held at the Frankfort store, where most of the fixtures are moveable and space can be made for fairly large groups. Such bestselling authors as David Sedaris, Anna Quinlan, and Elizabeth Gilbert have accepted invitations to do readings. "And right after the [Kentucky] Derby," Besse said, "We'll have a visit from our old friend Wendell Berry." The poet/farmer/environmentalist lives not far from the store.

Besse is gratified that authors are increasingly appearing at the store. "We're getting on the publishers' radar," she noted. Partnering with groups like the Kentucky Authors Forum has enabled the store to participate in many large book-related events.

Carmichael's is involved with other independent businesses, working to maintain and strengthen their position in the local economy. Besse is on the board of the Louisville Independent Business Alliance, which is in the early stages of development. "We have an independent music store, cafes, and a movie rental store," said Besse, who noted that one member, picking up on an idea from Austin, Texas, started a "Keep Louisville Weird" campaign, with billboards, bus cards, and a website detailing the advantages of a vibrant, local economy. www.keeplouisvilleweird.com

Besse said that the store relies on the Book Sense program to help them stay in touch with fellow booksellers. The monthly Picks lists serve to broaden the staff picks. "We have a small staff," she told BTW. "We haven't read everything. But we can tell customers that [the Book Sense lists] are a trustworthy source for recommendations." The gift card program has also been a hit with the store. "We've been accepting them for about 18 months," Besse said. "We like them and our customers like them."

Next year will mark the store's 30th birthday and "something special" is planned. Also planned for 2008, Louisville will be the host city for the ABA's Third Winter Institute, bringing in hundreds of booksellers from around the country. According to Besse, "It is very exciting. I've been to both [Winter Institutes], and it's been great to focus on education only. Since it's here, we'll be able to send all our staff." --Nomi Schwartz