Malaprop's Bookstore — Local services in Asheville

This is such an adorable bookstore! As an indie bookseller, I'm trying to hit up every indie I come across as I travel and Malaprop's is one I've heard nothing but great things about - and it deserves every single nice comment! I walked in, immediately thought it was cute, wandered a little bit, and then turned a corner and it just keeps going?? It's twice as big inside as it looks when you first walk in. The shelves are well-stocked, lots of face-outs, adorable knick knacks and there are things to look at in every corner. I was most looking forward to their blind date with a book display and it did not disappoint! I got two that I'm super excited about and the descriptions on each one were so compelling that I wanted all of them. It was popping for a Tuesday morning and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The café is delightful, the specialty drink names made me chuckle, and my coffee was delicious (I got the Fire Distinguisher). They do require masks inside (👍) but I saw a few patrons with them under their chins (👎) so be aware of that if you're someone who gets uncomfortable around unmasked people. There were only two or three and they seemed like they were people who got coffee, pulled their mask down to take a drink, and never pulled it back up. Absolutely not the store's fault since there are signs clearly stating that the café is for to go only. It's not their fault that people can't follow directions and I only saw five staff members with as busy as it was, so some people got away with it. As a small business operating during a pandemic, they're doing a great job. As an independent bookstore in general, they're excellent and I strongly recommend going when you're in Asheville!

Also, I did have to call and ask because I couldn't find it online but they do allow dogs! I brought my very excited baby and they even gave...

This sweet bookstore is a treasured Asheville icon. I love the staff, the book selection, eclectic array of cards and wonderful events they host. But it is the atmosphere created by the serendipitous blending of all these ingredients that truly feeds my soul. My love affair with the store began over 15 years ago when I would drive two hours each weekend from my then home in Hickory, NC, to enjoy the charm of Asheville. Being a book lover, Malaprops was a magnet. I was lured in by the aroma of delicious coffee wafting out to the sidewalk and by the interesting window decor. Once inside, the store was like a good book--I didn't want to turn the last page, didn't want my visit to end. Indeed Malaprops was the lure that hooked me into moving to Asheville. Once here it was a faithful, enduring anchor, nurturing my love of books and like-minded people until my roots took hold. Today, Asheville is truly home---despite my grousing about it's wild growth spurt. Malaprops has changed a bit through the years, but it is still that warm and welcoming space that I retreat to when I seek community, when I'm sad, when I need to recharge my batteries, when I just want to see the familiar faces that have become my friends over the years even though they don't know my name. This week I was lucky to be there to enjoy a reading by two-time poet laureate Billy Collins. Listening to him and meeting him afterward, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. It is now several days later and the magic of Billy's visit is still with me. Thank you Malaprops for bringing him to your store. For this poetry fan, it was like Elvis or the Beatles coming to town and giving a concert in my living room. I'm still...

Visiting Asheville again last month, went to shop at Malaprops with my wife. Not our first time there, we had shopped there on previous trips. We had already started out shopping on the street, keeping the tourist money flowing, supporting the local businesses, so we obviously had some shopping bags. My wife and I were picking out Christmas gifts for our family when a lady asked me for all of our bags. She said it was a store policy that she hold all of our things while we shopped. - To be clear - she could obviously see that we were spenders - already shopping and spending quite a bit of money at other stores nearby... My wife walked into the conversation and asked what the issue was so I said "she doesn't want me shopping in their store if I have a bag in my hand", thinking that the employee would clarify and redact the thought that we were trying to shoplift. (that's the way it felt) She said nothing - validating that she would rather me leave with my bags, so I did. I told my wife, "she doesn't want me in here with my bags so I am leaving". The lady let me leave - with my wallet. Lost sale for Malaprops and I will never return.

I understand that some stores have policies but this one hurts them I think. It certainly turned me off and made me feel like a suspected shoplifter. The store is in a very nice area of town too with mostly wealthy (I presume) shoppers from out of town.

Sorry but we wont be back. We'll spend our money where we...