This summer we began a new chapter: local Chicago-land markets and Pop-Up EVENTS…
What better way to share New Book Joy than connecting in-person with other passionate book lovers and small businesses from Chicago, the Midwest and beyond?
At each event we set up a mini version of our Book Bar / Booktique so that each guest could browse a curated assortment of Beach Reads and themed small business book pairings (aka garnishes) that complimented the light and complex flavors of our summer stories… From memoirs and autobiographies to novels and fictional tales, infused cocktail kits and chocolates to candles and soaps, we were able to match everyone with a “flavor” that suited their taste pallet!
Our first summertime Shop & Sip took place at Smittytown Market at Temperance Beer Co. at the end of May…
We spent our Sunday Funday (and Memorial Day Weekend) bonding over books, boozy reading parings, and beer! NEW pairing introductions included Soap Distillery’s Summer Collection of booze-inspired Bar Soaps, Raaka Chocolate’s Bourbon Cask-Aged Bar and Aged & Infused’s Cocktail Infusion Kits. We’re so grateful to be a part of such a wholesome Chicagoland community that fosters good company, supports small biz, and dishes out delicious drinks (that pair perfectly with summer reads).
“When Temperance Beer Co. first opened Smittytown Market in 2020, the team wanted to bolster Evanston small businesses during the pandemic. ‘It seemed like the perfect opportunity to help other people who would probably also have been struggling to keep their businesses open and find new ways to stay afloat.’ […] We’re still in this together as we navigate a semmingly ever-changing and challenging environment for small business.” – Temperance Beer Co.
When June hit, we were just getting started! Our “Beach Reads” Summer Reading Kick-Off Party Pop-Up at Venue 227 / Ebert Fine Art Portraiture House & Studio in Oak Park was a wonderful way to celebrate the start of longer days and warmer weather…
Not only did we spotlight a plethora of summery books for all ages, but we also took the opportunity to deck out our space with all the things you’d ever need to pair with your favorite beach read! From sips, sweets, and snacks, to beach towels, hats, and tote bags, our tables were loaded with summertime self-care goodies from local independent businesses. NEW pairing introductions included Tip-Top’s Cocktail Cans, Homebody’s Summer Collection of perfume oils, and Soap Distillery’s Liquid Hand Soaps (how perfect is Limoncello, all summer long)… We topped off the event with a wine tasting too, in which the wines were specially curated to compliment the occasion (thanks to John, from In Fine Spirits). We were so grateful for all the support we received from everyone who stopped by the celebration!
The next weekend, we had a blast PAWtying at Bosly’s Backyard Wag N’ Shop Dog Friendly Market!
We did things a little differently at this PAW-PUP, since we were welcoming both people and furry friends this time around. Along with our Summer assortment, we introduced a NEW collection of books inspired by dogs that included stories for dog lovers to enjoy and books that they could read to their pups. Sharing our JOY for books and pairings, while being able to pet all different types of doggos… Could there be anything better??!? NEW pairing introductions included handmade dog toys, ___ Doggie Treats for our furry friends to enjoy while their humans read to them…
BIG THANK YOU to all attendees and vendors for helping raise a $1,000 donation to One Tail At A Time! Once again, we’re so proud to take part in this wonderful community that supports, inspires, and encourages local small businesses like ours AND gives back to local dog rescues too.
We didn’t stop there! A couple weeks into June, we shared our Boor Bar / Booktique Pop-Up with the Park Ridge Park District Summer Craft & Vendor Fair on a glorious sunny Saturday…
Not only was the weather perfect, but so were the attendees at the fair! It was wonderful meeting so many Park Ridge residents (of all ages), and presenting the concept and backstory of our brand, while guests browsed our full summer assortment of books and pairings. NEW introductions included Milestones & Moments Book Box Gift Bundles of books and small business pairings for anyone from Newborns to Newlyweds and beyond (from Birthdays and Graduation Parties to Father’s Day Gifting)…
After dedicating July to our Book Club Tasting Events for grown-ups, we jumped back into the Chicago Pop-Up circuit in August to celebrate the 37th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest (and our first year participating)…
It was such an honor to have our humble booth at the biggest literature fest in the Midwest… We were so proud to put our best books forward (pairings and Book Boxes too, of course) and connect with other book lovers – bookstores, artisans, and social media influencers – from our own backyard. We thought it would be the perfect opportunity to launch our Book Bash in A Box too (no surprise – it was a hit)! Other NEW introductions included authentic Dictionary Page Art and Storiarts’ infinity scarves and vegan leather wrap bracelets, along with additional Milestones & Moments Book Boxes for Newborns and Kids.
Special Shout Outs to Chicagoland influencers Nanny Miss Monique and Martha Tyler Moore from Compassionate Childcare for stopping by our booth, to Hearth and Hammer for being the best tent-mates we could’ve asked for AND to author Shelby Van Pelt for having the best selling title at our spot – Remarkably Bright Creatures!
BIG THANK YOU to all of the venues above for hosting and organizing these amazing events, all of the incredible authors and publishers that have created stories for us to share, all of the hardworking small business brands that have created high quality products for us to enjoy while we read, and of course YOU, our friends, family and fans! We couldn’t have done this without all your conditional love & support…
We are ecstatic about all of our other events on the horizon too! Please keep your eyes peeled for upcoming New Book JOY…
– Mandy G, New Book Joy Founder
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