NAICS Code 4512

Location 526 Oak Street, Baraboo, WI 53913

Nearby Businesses Oak Street Aniques and Yarn, Fritsch’s Conrner Drug Store, Wells Fargo Bank

Owner/Manager Annie Randall

Special Store Activities Poetry readings, academic presentations, spoken word, live music, language conversation groups, writers group

Year Opened 1998

Website http://www.villagebooksmith.50megs.com/

Phone 608-355-1001

E-mail villagebooksmith@yahoo.com

Community Profile Located in the Baraboo Hills, Baraboo (population 10,780; 10 mile radius: 15,000) is home to the Circus World Museum and International Crane Foundation. Nearby attractions include nearby Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin’s largest and most visited park, containing unique geology due to past glacial activity; and Wisconsin Dells, a regional tourist destination with water and theme parks.

Products Sold & Niche Developed

The Village has a huge selection of new, used, and rare books and also operates a full service coffee house with local baked goods. The Village has become a community destination for social groups and entertainment.

Market Segments Served

Baraboo is in a heavily traveled tourist region, hard-to-find books and pieces from local writers are highly sought-after by visitors and locals alike. In the evenings, The Village draws crowds for music and literary events.

Contributions to the Business Community

Located on the Square in Baraboo Historic Downtown District, The Village Booksmith serves as a community gathering place and center for the literary arts. Owner, Annie Randall, has created a warm inviting atmosphere that draws people in for conversation, poetry readings and musical performances, in addition to the fun of browsing the stacks of well-chosen books. The coffee house is a popular local hangout, with a constant buzz of activity. The Village hosts community events collaborating with other local businesses. The Village occupies a restored 1880s historical building on Baraboo Central Square which has won awards and other recognition for historical restoration and energy efficiency.