Fireside Books holds virtual book club meetings and maintains curbside service

PALMER — Fireside Books owner Mary Ann Cockle and her colleagues are connecting with the community from a safe distance, holding virtual book club meetings and maintaining their curbside pickup model.

As more businesses across the Valley reopen and acclimate back to foot traffic, Fireside staff members are remaining extra cautionary to ensure everyone’s safety. Cockle said one of the major motivations to maintain their socially distant model is due to the fact one of her employees recently delivered a baby.

“We just don’t know enough about the virus to know what sort of implications there are to newborns,” Cockle said.

For the time being, people can request books from over the phone or browse their website and order there.

“We’re just hoping to be able to open as soon as possible… As soon as we can do it and feel confident we can be safe; and we certainly appreciate everyone’s understanding in this situation. People have been very supportive…” Cockle said.

Also for the time being, Fireside is holding virtual meetings for their book clubs. Two of the book clubs are holding meetings over Zoom while the third is taking a hiatus. Cockle noted other meetings and activities like the writers group have also taken a hiatus.

Fireside has hosted book clubs with the community since the store’s inception, a tradition Cockle said that she’s happy to keep going no matter what. She said the overall interest amongst her colleagues and community members displayed while maintaining clubs and close friendships over the years is very encouraging.

“It’s a community building event, an opportunity for people to come and meet people with similar interests or meet new friends, learn new things,” Cockle said.

Cockle is one of six regulars in As the Page Turns Book Club. She said they don’t lock into genres and it’s a fairly laid back group to be a part of.

“We go with the flow,” Cockle said with a laugh. “We are always looking for new faces.”

Cockle said they’re looking to start a new book club, particularly one for classic literature. She said anyone with ideas and an overall interest to maintain a new club should contact them.

“We’re always happy to provide the space,” Cockle said.

Fireside staff members may not be able to mingle with the public face to face as much as they’d like, but they’ve been changing their window displays every day.

“It’s true window shopping, come take a look at the window,” Cockle said.

Fireside Books is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 907-745-2665 or visit goodbooksbadcoffee.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com