Whether it's full-tilt summer tourist season or the dregs of winter, one place the locals count on for brain food in downtown Traverse City is
Horizon Books.
It's fiercely independent, family owned, and since its beginnings in 1961 has grown to three northwest Michigan locations – Traverse City, Cadillac and Petoskey. Each features a fireplace, a coffee bar, long hours and a downtown presence. Vic Herman, wife Amy Reynolds and two of their children, Pam Herman and Erica Ankerson, all work in this bustling store with the long hours and cool vibe.
Local authors love Horizon for displaying their new books and hanging onto quantities year-round. Readers love Horizon because the staff is expert, friendly and will even call when a book they've ordered comes in.
Book signings are an everyday attraction – from local writers to some of the bestselling authors who appear each month as part of the National Writers Series at the City Opera House. Coming up:
Wendy and Brian Froud, illustrators of Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book, on August 7 from noon to 2 p.m.
You can also catch musical acts in front of the store as well as in the lower level near the Shine Café, which features soups, sandwiches and snacks. As owner Vic Herman describes this cozy, welcoming space, often referred to as the Third Place: "You cannot create a place like this, it just sort of happens."
Writer: Patty LaNoue StearnsSource: Horizon Books
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