Love & Books: Round Table Bookstore
Round Table Bookstore believes that all we need is love...and books. Lots of books. The family owned, independent bookstore, located in the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, is a place to buy new and used books, but it’s also a community gathering spot where everyone is accepted and encouraged. Round Table will celebrate their first year in business on July 5th, and it was a year of real successes—book clubs, open mic nights, live music, game nights, and more.
“We decided to open a bookstore for four main reasons,” owner Andrew Howard said. “My parents have always wanted to have some type of family business, we are all avid readers, I have always dreamed of opening a bookstore, and We all thought that Topeka needed a bookstore as a place to buy new and used books and gather as a community.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown has fundamentally changed the way that Round Table does business, making it impossible to be the cultural center and gathering place that they have aimed to be since opening. Howard says that the family really misses seeing people in person and having conversations about books and life.
“One of the best parts of our business is the social interaction with our customers,” Howard said. “We enjoy getting to know our customers and recommending books that they will love. We enjoy hosting and leading book clubs. We are honored to be a place where people can feel safe to express themselves.”
Like other business owners, the family has had to get creative, altering some of their 2020 plans and speeding up others. They jumped into action to provide sales online, so that readers in Topeka can order from their own independent bookstore and receive free local delivery.
“It’s been incredible to see the people who make a point to order from us, and many add extra to get books to others, even outside of Topeka,” Howard said. “We appreciate readers sharing a post or commenting or spreading the word. We would not still be here without it.”
The family is planning ahead for better days, and in the meantime, they are turning to books for self-care. Looking for a good read to escape the news for a bit? Howard recommended a couple of titles.
“I recommend the Royal Ranger series, by John Flanagan,” Howard said. “I just read all three of those! Fun and easy to get through for adults, too. Such a Fun Age, by Kiley Reid, was a great light read, and all of us enjoyed Educated, by Tara Westover.”
When the pandemic passes, you’ll be able to visit Round Table in person again. You’ll browse the shelves, utilize the free Wi-Fi, enjoy a nice coffee, treat yourself to baked goods from Baking Traditions, and meet your friends for some laughs. In the meantime, you can curl up with a new title at home. Send some book love to a friend, too, then you can meet up (virtually) to discuss.
Round Table Bookstore is a family business is owned and operated by Donna Schultz, Scott Howard, Rain Schultz, and Andrew Howard. https://www.roundtablebookstore.com/
