Shop Local: Petunia’s Place

I know for me I would love to own a children’s bookstore. I would be like Meg Ryan in the movie You’ve Got Mail. (Which pays homage to one of my all time favorite movies, The Shop Around the Corner.) I imagine it being a small quaint little place, with little seats for children to sit in and read, lots of soft furry rugs with stuffed animals laying around. Children’s art work would be hanging from the ceiling and the shelves would be filled with lots of new shiny books, that smelled oh so lovely. (If you know me, you know I love the smell of new books.)

Since I probably will never have this dream realized, the next best thing is to enjoy a local children’s book store here in Fresno. Petunia’s Place (and here on Facebook) is just as I described, a small quaint little place filled with lots of new books.

When you enter you instantly feel at home. The staff is very eager to help you, and they are extremely knowledgeable in children’s literature. One day I went in asking for recommendations for my 12-year-old daughter, and they were able to show me some popular books based on what she likes. They have books on just about everything from popular fiction, to nonfiction. I’ve seen Star Wars books, Lego books, puzzles, stuffed animals, puppets (great for storytime)- and the list goes on! If they don’t have a book, they will order it for you, which is such a relief! (They specialize in children and young adult, but there is a small section for adult books as well.)

I know it’s easy to just go over to Barnes & Noble, or to order online, but there’s something to be said for going in and talking to someone who’s very knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Not only that but they are so kind and eager to help that it makes you just want to hang out and be friends.

While you are looking for gifts this holiday season, you should really visit Petunia’s Place. You’ll find some wonderful books to give as gifts, and the best part is that they’ll wrap them for you-for free! Now that’s a wonderful bonus!

Finally, if you’re out and about tomorrow, Santa will be making an appearance at Petunia’s on Saturday, December 6 at 11am. You can take pictures with the jolly man, and Oklin Bloodworth will also be present, playing holiday songs. (Oh, we love Oklin in our house!) If you can’t make it out in time to see Santa, there are other events throughout the year. Local authors in come to sign books, and there is a book club that meets once a month. I’m sure there are other special events that happen as well, so check their site often.

Petunia’s in located on the NW corner of Bullard and Palm. The address is 6027 N Palm, 93704.

I really hope some of you can make it. I honestly, truly, love this bookstore, and I know you will too.