Although both of our stores (1295 Bardstown Rd & 2720 Frankfort Ave) are small, they offer a hand-picked selection of titles reflecting both the taste of the owners and that of the neighborhoods they are a part of. From the very beginning Carmichael's has been committed to being a neighborhood gathering place by being open seven days a week and every evening. Both stores are on corners that hum with activity - walkers, joggers, dogs and children, families and couples - lively streetscapes never darkened by the shadow of a big box store.
Nestled in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, A Novel Romance is an enchanting independent bookstore that specializes in the romance genre. Tucked inside its cozy brick-and-mortar space is a treasure trove of captivating tales that ignite imaginations and kindle the fires of love. Our vision at A Novel Romance is to be an inclusive destination for romance enthusiasts and a sanctuary where the magic of love and literature intertwine.
Carmichael s has been in business in Louisville for more than 30 years. It was started in April of 1978 by Carol Besse and Michael Boggs (the store name is a combination of their first names), and has been owned and operated by them ever since. It is a family business in the best tradition. As the business grew, so did the number of family members involved, and the staff now includes a second generation.Carmichael s original store was located at 1582 Bardstown Road at the corner of Bonnycastle. In 1978 the Bardstown Road strip was desolate, a far cry from the lively corridor of cool shops and interesting restaurants it is today, having barely recovered from the devastating 1974 tornado. The only people out on the street to greet the staff some mornings were men queued up to sell blood at the Plasma Alliance. In 1983, the store moved to its present location at 1295 Bardstown Road. Sales were steady but in 1995 Heine Brothers Coffee opened their first location in the same building, and a year later Ramsi s Cafe on the World opened next door. Carmichael s corner at Bardstown Rd and Longest became one of the liveliest spots in the entire city. The synergy created by the dense cluster of shops and restaurants in the vicinity made that stretch of Bardstown Road a destination for the entire region.
Carmichael's is a book store that has bucked the national trend of declining mom-and-pop stores in lieu of digitized media and commerce. In fact, the bookstore has three locations (one in Frankfort) and another outlet for kids down the street at 1313 Bardstown. The stores carry literary journals, magazines, work by local authors, autographed books, fiction, non-fiction and much, much more. In addition to great tomes, Carmichael's is also Louisville's bookstore for author events and signings.
Half Price Books is a nation-wide chain of bookstores which offer both new and used books at amazing prices. The sheer variety of books is amazing here as they come from all kinds of sources when they are sold to the store. So, whether you are looking for a thrilling bestseller or a romantic classic novel, you are sure to find it here. The bookstore organizes regular events such as the Half Pint Library Book Drive, the Kid's Book Giveaway and Story Time Saturdays.
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