The Opened Book — Local services in Hannibal

My recommendation would be to call first, and know exactly what you are looking for. I did neither. I did, however, peruse the website, and determined that I might find some books that are difficult to find elsewhere. I rode three hours highly anticipating what I might find. I checked the hours as posted on Google, I checked them again when I got to the door, and both sets of opening hours were the same. A sign in the door asked to knock, which I did. I was greeted by the owner through a crack in the door, and told the store was not open for browsing, and I likely would not find what I was looking for. The owner asked me afterwards, through the door, what exactly I was looking for, so I told her anything written by Dolores Cannon, who is a household name in spirituality, and higher-self learning, which her website speaks much of, but she let me know she was not familiar with her, and said goodbye.

Overall, I would not say the owner was rude; she was rather upfront, and I left, respecting her wishes, albeit dumbfounded, and wondering what had just occurred.

I rate it one star, as it is marketed as a store, open to the public, but there is no store front that I saw, and it appeared to be open by invitation only. I would recommend making this known on the website, or at least something to indicate a trip of any length was not necessary, or would come with unanticipated stipulations. At even two stars, I may have returned at a later date with the assumption that an isolated bad experience may be rectified, but I would not return to a place that greeted me as a solicitor, or worse yet, a common criminal, during posted...

Edit after response from owner: After seeing the extremely rude response left by the owner I absolutely would never recommend going here. I don't understand how you can advertise yourself as a book store, but not sell books. Then to get angry at me for sharing my exact experience? Perhaps if one star reviews are so harmful to you then you should offer better service. At the very least you should be offering books. Maybe change your name if that is no longer your business?

I am a Google Guide and have left more reviews than I can count. I only leave 100% HONEST feedback. My original review is exactly what I experienced.

Original review: This place isn't really open. Doors are locked, we waited a couple minutes for someone to come to the door (a sign says to knock). The lady that answered told me she had no children's books, completely making an assumption about the type of books my son reads. (He is almost 11 and does not read children books.) Then also proceeded to tell me she didn't really have any books currently due to remodeling.

There were multiple signs on the door advertising CBD. It seems this place is not for...

Perhaps my new to this towns eyes aren’t properly sharpened yet, but I haven’t seen as many hole in the wall book shops as I would’ve hoped to have in a smaller town. So seeing this place I was very excited. Mind you, a proper traditional hole in the wall book place must have a certain character unique to its own. I didn’t go searching for a chain, with a plastic wrapper, reflective flooring and clock watching robots. I was looking for that place, a bit spooky, a bit cozy, a lotta bit mysterious, with a promise of dust and creaky wood. Books available or not, this place definitely qualifies as the perfect book shop, for it was never supposed to be about “buying books”, going to the book store used to be an adventure not an errand. Clearly some people in the reviews have either forgotten or have been severely limited in classic necessary life experiences. Like a spoiler to a good book, I can say no more, for it would diminish your own adventure, should you be brave enough to take a breath instead of a step, a moment to ponder the world around you instead of breezing right through...