The Main Street Trading Co. - St Boswells (website here)
'a bookshop so perfect you might have dreamt it' - maggie o'farrell
Hello everyone! Before I begin, I'd just like to dedicate this post to my wonderfully inspiring Uncle who passed away peacefully in his sleep a few days ago. As devastated and hurt as I am, I'm so unbelievably proud of him for his continued strength and his admirable manner. I'm also relieved that he didn't have to experience too much pain at the hands of his cancer. He passed peacefully, a pretty good way to go. Never will he stop inspiring me to be a better person and to live each day as if it were my last. This little bookshop was recommended to me by him and my aunt so I thought it was fitting that I discuss it with you following his passing.
As I literally just said, my Aunt and Uncle told me about this pretty little bookshop in a local town that they thought I, ever the bookworm, may take a shine to. Curious and stupidly excited in equal measure, my Aunt very kindly dropped Luke and I off for a couple of hours to peruse the store at our leisure. Boy, were we not disappointed! I cannot explain to you just how amazing this place really is but if I'm pretty sure that this is what my idea of heaven is like. Cake, books, smiles and pastel colours aplenty! It's really no wonder that they've won several awards, including the Telegraph Best Small Shops - Best Bookshop award 2012.
Oozing with charm and full to the brim with a host of enticing books, I'd say it is quite possible to have a day out solely in the shop! Shelves groan with the weight of paperbacks, some complete with handwritten personal recommendations from the staff who work there, whilst bellies groan at the delicious array of homemade cakes. Naturally, I opted for the chocolatey option and instantly felt as if I were drowning in a sugary sea (a pretty good way to drown, if you ask me!). The sandwiches that we opted for, the local smoked salmon and parsley pesto option, were also pretty darn lovely! Whilst you're there, you can read the books in the shop at your leisure or peruse the numerous gifts that adorn the cabinets around the café area. Luke and I were particularly taken by the children's book section, falling in love with 'Carrot Parrot' and wishing we had a child to buy it for. (Hurry up and have children Luke's brother!). Reason 4,509 as to why I fell in love with this store is down to the events that they hold there, from regular book groups to sessions with renowned authors. It really felt as if a sense of community was shaped in those four walls and that's pretty sparse to come by these days.
I could honestly keep cooing about this store but I think I've probably scared you all enough already so I shall leave it here. All in all, if you're local to the area or happen to be visiting the Borders soon, I believe you shouldn't give this little gem a miss! If you'd like to find out more about them, why not check out the Main Street website or follow them on Twitter.
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Love the lay out of your blog. Condolences over the situation you are in, i hope all will be better. This bookshop looks gorgeous, i don't live anywhere in England. I love your photos too. We have a book shop that is call BooksActually here & they are as gorgeous as this one! Maybe i will post it if i ever take a trip there & let you know! :)x
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what a beautiful post. Sorry to hear about your uncle, i hope this time isnt too straining. what a lovely little dedication :) x
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, what a perfect little book shop. I wish we had a place like this locally, or that I lived a tad closer to you ;) hope you and your family are holding up okay Bee, I'm glad he passed peacefully, safe in the knowledge that he was very very loved. xxxx
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness this looks absolutely beautiful - I wish there were bookshops like this where I live! I always think that book shops are more enjoyable when they have a little character to them, there are a few nice second hand ones like this in Brighton :) I'm so sorry about your Uncle, sending you and your family lots of love <3 Such a beautiful poignant post.
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I'm very sorry about your uncle =(, you have a great writing style and great photos!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your Uncle, love to you all :)
ReplyDeleteThe bookshop looks great, I'd love to own a shop like that x
sorry about your uncle :(
ReplyDeletethe shop looks super cute!
Oh this place looks like bliss. Just the sort of world you need to be able to sink into at times like this. A good bookshop can make the world feel a million miles away! As I've said, all my love sweetie, thinking of you all xxx
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I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. My thoughts are with you and your family; he sounds like a wonderful man, and was obviously incredibly well loved. I very much hope you're doing alright xxx
ReplyDeleteIt looks perfect! Books AND cake?! Could it get better? That photo of cake looks a bit like a crocodile. It's so nice when people recommend places like this, and they really are as good as they say. You know I'm here for you whenever you need <3
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I would love to spend some time there. I think we don't have anything similar here which is so sad :/
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm very sorry about your uncle. xx
So sorry to hear about your loss, my thoughts are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThat bookshop sounds amazing, what better combination than books and cakes?! xx
My thoughts are with you and your family, Bee! <3 Sending love!
ReplyDeletexoxo
So sorry to hear about your uncle. Thoughts with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing little bookshop. What better place to go and remember your uncle. Cake, books, pastels = my favourite things all in one place.
xxx
cake and books, winning combination! I love Hay on Wye, it's a whole town of book shops xx
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to say 'I'm sorry for your loss' in a way that seems sincere, because this is the internet and it's so difficult to convey real emotion. But I am.
ReplyDeleteIt's so special that he left almost a legacy in the form of this bookshop. Not to over dramatise, but he introduced you to a place you'll always love, and that's a beautiful thing.
And in the simplest way, literature has the ability to comfort all sorts of wounds, which makes the bookshop seem even more fitting.
x
Sorry to hear about your Uncle! It's lovely that you've been introduced to such an awesome place because of his recommendation though! This bookshops looks like a dream! x
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your Uncle.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely post. Living in a big city, I've only ever really known chain book stores, but these kind of shops always interest me. Definitely would like to visit it one day (: x
Sorry to hear about your uncle. This bookshop looks amazing, I would spend forever is there! xx
ReplyDeleteLots of love heading your way to you and your family <3
ReplyDeleteIt is very sweet that you went to this lovely looking bookshop recommended by your uncle, it sure looks like a swell place to read and eat nommy cake :)
Bee, I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle, sending lots of love your way. That looks like such a special bookshop that I'd love to spend a few hours (or days!) in. X
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