Along the Blue Ridge Parkway there is a town called Little Switzerland.
It's not much but two corners, but the views are worth a visit.
And so is a cozy lunch spot . . . and the 30,000 books housed in a "little" ...
… bookshop on the two corners, called "Books and Beans."
We always stop there for a browse. There's no online selling.
No, you need to come and have a look through three stories of books . . .
and smell the coffee, which is a new addition since the last time we were
We always stop there for a browse. There's no online selling.
No, you need to come and have a look through three stories of books . . .
and smell the coffee, which is a new addition since the last time we were
there. And the way time flies, that could be a few years ago.
I thought I'd stop in the restroom before we left,
would fit well joining Judith's Mosaic Monday, and that's
just what we're doing.
The book store sounds wonderful! What a treasure finding this store. :)
ReplyDeleteA cozy bookstore crammed with books, a cozy little restaurant and the mountains--what more could one ask?!!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
That's my kind of book store Dotsie!
ReplyDeletePacked to the ceilings, I would have a field day at Books and Beans.
I'm wondering what the 'beans' part is about!
I always dreamed of having a quaint little book shop like that, with bits of art and nice music for sale too!
Have a fun week
Shane
Podso,
ReplyDeleteIsn't retirement grand, dear friend!!!
Now, we have time to stop and smell the coffee beans!!!
"Mr. Ed" & I plan on doing some of that same thing this week. . .
Fondly,
Pat
Oh, I just love places like this. I have not been in that area for a very long time. Now I'm itchy.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by TravelnWrite. I love your post and look forward to future visits to your blog!
ReplyDeleteI love the stained glass window in the restroom! This is a treasure trove for a book lover to explore. What a great little bookshop and a pretty little 'corner' of your area. Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteCool, it would take some time to browse thru all those books.. What a great find.. I love the stained glass window too. Enjoy your new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteMy kind of cozy place to visit with something to eat and good books to browse. Isn't it amazing how some of the nicest windows can be found in a washroom? Our first night in Ireland my girlfriend and I walked to a little bistro for dinner and the washroom was upstairs with the sinks in front of open windows, no screens and gorgeous window boxes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking your stained glass discovery to Mosaic Monday Dotsie.
I'm glad you took your camera with you! heehee! We've been in this area but never stopped at the bookstore! Now I want to go back! Maybe next time! Enjoy your week! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun place to explore. Books in every nook and cranny, it seems.
ReplyDeleteI would love to browse in that book shop! I love its name :)
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, you're a lucky girl to have an independent book store close by. Most are gone for the big chain stores, but some are still hanging on round here. That store looks extra cozy and lovely to settle down to a coffee and a good mooch around. :D
ReplyDeleteHow delightful!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to spend time there!
Deanna
THAT is a spot I'd love to visit! What a view... inside and out! blessings and hugs ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteI think it would be worth a trip just to visit the little book store!
ReplyDeleteWe've driven past Little Switzerland while on the Parkway but have never stopped there. Now we will have to!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful spot and I would spend long, long times in the book stacks!
ReplyDeleteOh happy sigh.... What a delicious book shop. Oh yes! Oh yes!
ReplyDeleteSuch ambiance. New stores just can't match it. :-)
Tessa~
Well that was fun :)
ReplyDeleteBookshops are fast disappearing........good to see one so customer friendly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gem, nestled in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cozy, colourful, and filled with wordy treasures, it surely must have been a real treat to visit. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeletePoppy
What a great little place all snuggled in those mountains...places like that are so few and far between these days! Love that leaded glass window!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been up there in years. Thanks for the update. Did you get any good finds?
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever seen a corner bookshop..just the booksamillion type. Great shots and I think your last shot is a perfect mosaic!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm on my way to that bookstore/coffee shop! What a perfect combination! And I can never find too many bookstores. Love it that it's on 3 levels. I could spend a week there.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds about perfect. Perhaps Queen Nefertiti thinks so, too. Had to take a closer look at the ceiling as well because it looked so intriguing. In the end, I think it is the backing of insulation. It looks so charming there that I am certain the owners are taking good care of their establishment.
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks like you could spend quite a while at those two corners!! Yummy lunch, coffee, books galore, and beautiful vistas! Yes, I think I'd want to linger...
ReplyDeleteDotsie, that bowl of soup is making my mouth water! That's one of the many things about fall that I love - delicious, soul-warming, homemade soup. This bookstore looks right up my alley -- Hal and I can never resist a good bookstore. I haven't seen one that isn't a big chain in some years now (sadly), so we'll have to make a point to visit this one. I, too, love the stained glass window in the restroom -- just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe were on the parkway last weekend, too. It's our favorite place to go this time of the year. :) Have a wonderful day!!
Hugs,
Denise
Poppy sent me here, linking me to your post on Little Switzerland. Only a couple of weeks ago I told her that when I'm stressed out I close my eyes and go to my Little Switzerland Life! We've driven through it for years when we go to Blowing Rock and I lost my heart to it. But I've never been to your bookstore; that'll had some well spent time to our trip. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteLittle Switzerland looks like a nice place to go for a road trip! Beautiful view.
ReplyDelete