HUMBOLDT — Independent bookstores across the country are celebrating Saturday as a day dedicated not just to books, but to the spaces that bring readers together.
Independent Bookstore Day is a nationwide event organized by the American Booksellers Association that invites readers, authors and booksellers to gather in support of locally owned shops.
In Humboldt, Bridge Street Books will take part in the celebration as it nears its first year in business. Owned by Sarah Hart, the downtown shop has quickly become a fixture in the community and remains the only independently owned bookstore in Allen County.
Hart said the idea to open the store came from a mix of personal and community-driven motivations. “Humboldt is growing into a cute little town and a bookstore kind of felt like the next logical thing,” she said.
She also saw the store as something more than retail. “It was partly because I wanted to rebel against what was happening in our world and give people a place to come read, learn and get new ideas,” Hart said.
BRIDGE STREET Books opened at a time when independent bookstores nationwide are seeing renewed growth. Since 2020, the number of independent bookstores in the United States has climbed from 1,916 to more than 3,200. Hundreds of new stores have opened each year, including 422 in 2025 alone.
Hart believes that shift is driven in part by a desire for connection. Independent bookstores offer curated selections and in-person events such as book clubs and author visits — experiences that aren’t included in online shopping.
“I think people like the experience of going to a bookstore and being able to touch and smell the books,” Hart said. “There’s so much technology that people are trying to take a step back from.”
She added that reading provides a break from screens. “I know when I need to unplug, I read a book,” she said.
Hart also sees a growing awareness among shoppers about where their money goes. “People are realizing that buying through Amazon isn’t really helping their community,” she said. “It takes your money out of the community.”
That local impact extends beyond sales. The American Booksellers Association reports that independent retailers, including bookstores, create an estimated 57 jobs for every $1 million in revenue, compared to 14 jobs for the same revenue at large chain retailers.
AT BRIDGE Street Books, the focus has been on building those community connections. Monthly book clubs, holiday events, poetry readings and open mic nights have drawn steady participation, sometimes surprising Hart.
The store’s book clubs, which meet monthly and are free to attend, have also drawn steady participation. Customers can simply pick up the featured book and join the discussion, with a 15% discount offered for book club selections.
Hart said one of the biggest surprises in her first year has been the level of interest from readers. “I didn’t realize how many people actually love to read,” she said. “I have met some amazing people.”
That includes out-of-town visitors who stop in while traveling through Humboldt.
The store has become a gathering place in other ways. Hart said customers often stop in for more than books.
