Forever Books, LLC

Seven years ago Robin Allen set out to open one of the most popular stores in all of Michigan's Great Southwest.  She almost named her store Happy Ever After.  Soon she opted instead for Forever Books, and basically she's been enjoying her life in the business happily ever after.

Readers of all ages have fallen in love with the eclectic book store at 312 State Street in the heart of St. Joe's Central Business District. The store offers something for readers of all ages, too.

From discounted Best Sellers off the Book Sense list compiled by other independent bookstores across the nation like Robin's store...to a broad array of all kinds of books for kids from the cradle to college...it's a great place to get lost in a world of both fact and fiction.

All summer long a special section of "Beach Books" welcomed readers into the store, and less than 15 minutes after leaving the store with a selection from that collection, a man and his bike were found on a park bench less than two blocks from the beach.  He couldn't wait any longer and had begun to read his new treasure.

One of the fun things visitors will discover inside the colorful store is the compilation of "Staff Favorites."  These are books that staff members of the store have found to be among the best in the store, and they tell you why on little 3x5 cards that accompany the selected book.  Sometimes even customers put their favorites there and tell you why.

Brightly colored murals inside create a warm welcome, and visiting authors can often be found in the Author's Corner signing books and chatting with fans.

In addition to special sections for everything from travel to sports, from fantasy to cook books, from spiritual to poetry, the store is a wonderland for eager minds.

In the kids section there are special portions for science projects, games, stuffed animals and more. 

You'll find Page-a-Day calendars, pop-up and swing cards, large sections for current fiction and non-fiction reading and more. 

Selected as The Herald-Palladium's Readers Choice as Favorite Book Store over the last two years running, Forever Books is clearly a hometown favorite for everyone. 

You can spend your time browsing Monday through Saturday from 10am until 6pm and Sundays from noon until 5pm.  The store is also open Thursday nights until 8pm for those who can't break away during the business day.

For those who enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas on books, there is a Reader's Review Book Club in the house on the 1st Wednesday of every month.  Just sign up and you are a part of the group focusing on a particular book each month.

Robin was one of the first businesses downtown to seek a loan from the St. Joseph Development Fund, and was also one of the first to successfully pay off that debt on schedule and in full.

She was also awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Commercial Division several years ago by Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce at our Combined Annual Meeting. 

Forever Books...a successful, customer-focused business that is in the Member Spotlight so you can get the rest of the story. 

This Member Spotlight was created on 09/04/2006.