Yardstick Books — Local services in Algoma

When one Googles “Door County Book Stores,” Yardstick Books does not appear. Perhaps because it is not technically in Door County, but instead found in a little fishing town, Angola, via a 12-mile detour from the entrance to The Peninsula, south on route S. And so, this treasure of a bookstore is left to be accidentally discovered by the aimless or lost tourist and does not see the foot traffic owed it. (At least, that seemed to be the case on the sunny Wednesday in August when I found it.) A high ceiling and large store front windows let in natural bright light. 60-beats-per-minute-music provides the expectant reader with the requisite calm for perusing titles. A cat lounges on a comfy chair in the back of the store. The staff-picks shelf immediately to the left of the door displays The Orphan Master’s Son and The Tiger’s Wife, revealing the tastes that created this store. (Upon seeing these displayed, I thought, “Ah, I am among friends!”) This is a bookstore for book lovers and readers. Forget your cheap thrill reads; there’s no C.J. Box here. The inventory is an effortlessly curated selection of modern literature. Classics are mixed in to allow the shopper the opportunity to check off that forgotten book from the ever lengthening To Read list. (I would love to know the reader who, upon eyeing Finnegan’s Wake, audaciously declares, “This is the summer!”) Modern fiction, non-fiction, the award winners, and less obvious masterpieces are arranged lovingly. Don’t worry, the easy fun is still there with the requisite book-fan/writer paraphernalia: notebooks, artful and ingenious note cards, puzzles and bookmarks. There is a mycophile on staff. Visit Yardstick Books and walk out, gratified and reassured, with an armload of delight and a complimentary bookmark...

in addition to having a wide book selection and thoughtfully curated displays, they also have a big selection of cards, stickers and stationary. i picked out a handful of cards with unique, whimsical, and charming illustrations on them.

the shop is aesthetically beautiful—it feels organized and clean while being warm and welcoming. natural light from the large front windows illuminates the shop. the light colored wood and walls are soft and warm, allowing the many vibrant book covers to pop and draw you in.

i have more recently become interested in poetry; a japanese haiku book about cats caught my eye and i didn’t think twice about the purchase. a lovely shop. i hope to...

While sorting for the Brown County Public Library book sale, I came across an exceptionally well-curated donation of books that made me want to visit and support the store. Discovering Algoma was a delight in itself and Heidi (Yardstick's owner) is so warm and friendly that I make regular visits. Her collection is thoughtful, weaving in solid variety of books that have inspired this avid reader to...