The Artsy Bookworm: Simply Marvelous!

Part bookstore, part art gallery, part toy store, part yarn shop, part novelty emporium, part event host and ALL delightful, The Artsy Bookworm is a new shop in Rock Island you won’t want to miss. I finally had time to wander through the unique and wonder-filled rooms this past week and highly recommend this independent community bookstore.

Location: 1319 - 30th Street in Rock Island, IL
With a welcoming front patio, friendly windows, and bright front entry, you find The Artsy Bookworm in the College Hill District of Rock Island.

Hours
Wednesday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 4 p.m.
Mon-Tues: Closed

It’s a bookstore.
Wow! I loved the way the books are arranged to make me feel like I just walked into my Grandmother’s library. The diverse array of tomes are sectioned and displayed in bookshelves by genre/theme and then, author. Some are exactly as you expect, some are turned sideways, some are stacked across the top of other volumes…it felt like organized comfort. I felt welcome to take out a book and thumb through it, go sit on the lovely rocker or kneel on the ground and find my next favorite read.

It’s a gallery.
So each month The Artsy Bookworm hosts a local artist whose work is displayed throughout the shop. From pottery to painting to other media, you’ll be intrigued and impressed by the variety and quality. You can enjoy it and purchase it. There will likely be an opportunity to meet the artist and learn about how they work their craft.

It’s a toy store.
You will LOVE the toy room! I couldn’t keep myself from digging through all the great children’s books, unique toys, and fun clothing items. There were stuffed animals, puzzles, models, bath toys and towels, games, mobiles, socks, shirts, coding robots, and, of course, an amazing array of books. There is even a sweet table set up to keep visiting little ones busy while you enjoy all the rooms have to offer.

It’s a yarn shop.
I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about yarn, but the colors and textures drew me in. I couldn’t help touching it and I definitely couldn’t help purchasing the most amazing knitted gloves and headband. The yarn is fairtrade yarn, which I learned is fairly hard to find. The shop hosts knitting circles and supports each others’ creations.

It’s a novelty emporium.
Oh My Goodness, I wish I could find an adequate way to share all the remarkable items at The Artsy Bookworm. There were t-shirts, notecards, ornaments, tech stickers, bookmarks, decks of cards, windchimes, the most darling bathroom set up I’ve ever seen, mugs, gnomes, shawls, journals, writing instruments…I mean, I could go on and on and on. At each turn I found something I needed to admire.

It’s an event host.

There is a book club.
There are author signings.
There are artist meet and greets.
There is a knitting/creating circle: The Artsy Stitchers
And so much more!!

You’ll also find unique ways to enjoy The Artsy Bookworm.
Perhaps you’d like a Blind Date with a Book? For only $3.95, they will pick one for you and away you’ll go with a unique evening with (maybe) a new favorite.
Perhaps you’d like to connect to audio books and support the store at the same time.
Perhaps you’d like to learn more about any of the ventures offered at the store…just stop by and meet the lovely curator: Tamara Felden.

Connect with the Artsy Bookwork
Their website
Their Facebook page
Their Instagram account
Their email: [email protected]

The Artsy Bookworm Mission.
I feel this blog wouldn’t be complete unless I mentioned the mission of The Artsy Bookworm because it’s amazing. I’m copying it straight from their website because reading it makes me feel like a better person. I hope you’ll like it, too:
The Artsy Mission

To offer a safe space that is welcoming to everyone and where all interact with kindness and good will toward each other
To carry merchandise that reflects our customers’ desire to make positive contributions to our community, our environment, and our local economy
To carry books that offer windows into the lives, experience, cultures and histories of different people,
To be a place where our customers find themselves reflected in the things we sell or perhaps discover something new that broadens their perspective of others
To provide space for local artists and authors to show and sell their work
To source our merchandise from environmentally friendly, organic, cruelty-free and fair-trade producers, from Black and women-owned businesses, and from unique makers around the world.
To be helpful.

Come to The Artsy Bookworm in Rock Island: be artsy, be booky, be intrigued, be delighted, be crafty, be impressed, be creative, be welcome, be inspired.

Written by Meghan Cooley

Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. She also does copy editing and writes for the Quad City Moms Blog. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.