McHuston Booksellers

Rare, Collectible, & Otherwise

Tag: book stores (Page 32 of 113)

Snow Dancers.

February 23, 2015 /

It’s a Snow Angel day, but they are pirouetting here in the bookshop.

Empty parking places in the Rose District at lunchtime…a rare sight. Attributed to the snow and the frigid wind, no doubt. They weren’t ALL empty though, and Chef Dustin and I were able to send out quite a few meals to lunch-time guests today.

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Here’s the switch: there is more snow on the ground now (late afternoon) and more cars are lining the street than before. Here in the bookshop, I’m having a little break and a chance to post some pictures of the new sculpture display.

Rose District artist David Nunneley visited the other day and mentioned he was having some floor repair done at his gallery, and as a result was required to move all the displayed artwork out of the way. He wondered if we’d be interested in hosting a few ladies for a week or so, until the work is completed.

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Yes, without a doubt!

So the ballet is afoot at the front column in the bookstore, bronze sculptures that were completed by Mr. Nunneley as studies done while undertaking a commission that now graces the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

It’s one of those times I wish I had some photography skills, but I’m sharing – as best I can – the dancers in their poses atop the wooden pedestals. One of the three has previously visited, and I mentioned in an earlier note how I regretted not taking a photo before she departed.

Well. Take advantage of second chances!

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Those of you who may have missed my earlier post and the link to the artist’s website can click HERE for a personal introduction courtesy of DavidNunneley.com. And you get a better look at any image on this page by clicking on it.

He has recently delivered another bronze monument out of state, this time to Colorado, and has a life-sized statute of a noted US Civil War figure in Arkansas, the story of which I hope to share in the near future.

In the meantime, you are invited to come down for lunch and a tour of the temporary bookstore gallery. It’s quick, tasty, and cultured.

In fact, if it gets any artsy-classier, they won’t let me in any more!

The snow is ending, so – Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

From Glow to Snow

February 16, 2015 /

It IS Oklahoma, after all. That’s why we aren’t surprised when there is snow and ice on the ground two days after our short-sleeves stroll-the-sidewalks weather. But is unusual that the snow day coincides with a holiday – President’s Day, in this instance – in which the schools, the banks, the city offices, and past-presidents are all allowed a day off.

Neighborhood streets have that weird mix of snow and ice. The frozen part is underneath and makes for strange traction (or lack of) when driving. Here in Broken Arrow every car and truck is a snow-busting ice cruiser, and every driver knows it. Put the pedal to the metal.

Thanks to Mr. Steve of the City of Broken Arrow and his crews for getting the primary streets drivable. Here is the Rose District there were backhoes and graders whipping back and forth clearing the intersections and parking spaces. I was out for a time and didn’t hear or see any crashing cars.

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The bistro kitchen is taking a snow day. Unlike all-day restaurants, we have only a few hours to serve all the food we prepare for lunchtime. And it takes hours to prepare. Tomorrow’s forecast is for clearing streets and warm bowls of Irish Stew.

You can see in the image that a path has been beaten to the front door of the shop. (Actually, scraped with a shovel rather than actually being trampled by footsteps…) Thanks to our next-door neighbor John, who with his wife Kelly operate Glamour Gowns & More: he was out with an implement and some ice-melt.

In nine years on Main Street, there has only been one occasion that the store has been open for business and not a single book was sold. That was four years ago, during the big February blizzard. When I finally got the car out of the driveway and made it to the store, I high-centered on a snowdrift and had to abandon ship right there. After trudging to the door and warming myself inside, I sat at the desk for the better part of two hours doing some work but mostly worrying about the drive home.

I locked up and crept away through mounds of white, after finally working the car out of the snow-locked parking lot.

So by comparison, today is positively tropical. Even as we speak there are folks in the store browsing for books.

A little snow is no match for a genuine book emergency. In this morning’s case, C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia, just sent out to a new home. Mission accomplished!

When you are shoveled out, come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

Full hearts. Fine days.

February 15, 2015 /

Might have been love in bloom in the Rose District, Valentine’s Day 2015. Plenty of traffic, tables full of diners, restaurants full of hustling waiters and waitresses. Great things on Main, and such a change from just a couple of years ago!

And it wasn’t just the food establishments: while walking down the sidewalk toward Fiesta Mambo, I was passed by a quickly jogging young man who trotted around the corner, up the block and into the front door of Arrow Flowers. Earlier in the day, I spotted their delivery van making Valentine’s Day deliveries. Lighted hearts brightened the windows at Star Jewelers where a steady stream of folks made their way in and out.

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The changes continue, as progress is made on the building renovations and new construction. The lighting isn’t perfect for photography this evening, but I put on the coat and gloves and wandered the block to snap a few update shots.

Atop the bank spire, the newly-installed clock is set to chime in the new day, or the next era in downtown banking for AVB, the long-standing institution formerly known as Arkansas Valley Bank. Although the footprint of the structure appears smaller than the current facility, its height makes it an impressive addition to the Rose District. Even on Sunday, crews were out in hardhats getting things done.

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Just north of Dallas Street, the building that will feature Andolini’s Pizzaria is taking shape. The upper two floors will feature upscale loft apartments and it appears that the interior work appears well on its way.

As I approached the mid-block crosswalk (which Broken Arrow drivers are still trying to understand – use caution as a pedestrian!), I spotted plenty of blank canvas waiting to become artwork at Pinot’s Pallette. It must be a popular activity, since I regularly see folks carrying their finished works toward their parked cars.

Although we’re back to cold weather (the norm for February except for Oklahoma, where we always get a few spring-like afternoons), it was a fine day Saturday and the Rose District was busy all day with folks strolling the sidewalks. A number of those who came through the bookstore admitted it was their first time to visit since the renovation.

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It still surprises me.

There is so much being offered in the Rose District, I would have thought everyone would have turned onto Main Street by now. But it’s only getting better!

Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers and Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

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