This New Buffalo shop is full of gorgeous, big, beautiful books meant to be displayed and provide inspiration. Looking for tomes meant to be read? I’ve got you on that front, too.

A new bookstore has opened in New Buffalo, selling gorgeous, big books meant to be displayed on coffee tables or any other surface in your home. Book Shore opened the end of March just off New Buffalo’s main drag. It’s the newest venture from the family who owns Stray Dog, the popular tourist restaurant in town.

The shelves here have books from Assouline, Taschen, Phaidon, Rizzoli, Gestalten, Abrams, Thames & Hudson, and Chronicle Books—publishers known for their luscious, design-oriented offerings. Any one of them would make a perfect hostess gift.

There are other places in Harbor Country to get cool art books (Goods & Heroes, Sojourn, Out There wine bar, Farmette) but this is by far the largest selection.

If you’re looking instead for books to read (do people still do that? Yes, they do!) Flourish Books & Plants, on the edge of New Buffalo, is a place you may have overlooked. I know I have sped by it many times, because you don’t really see it ’til you’ve passed by, and it’s not easy to figure out how to turn in to its parking lot. It’s on the right just before Rt. 12 turns to go to Three Oaks. If you’re at the stop light, you’ve probably already passed it!

It’s worth figuring out, however. Flourish started in the late summer of 2020 as a mobile bookstore inside a utility trailer that traveled to craft fairs, artisan markets, festivals and such. In fall of 2023 owner Jocelyne Tuszynski opened this shop, in a former truck stop diner.

Tuszynski, who grew up in New Buffalo, has kept the booths and stools from the diner, and stocks the place with new, used, and bargain books of all types (kids, too) in a pleasantly messy environment that includes plants for sale.

Flourish hosts a book club and has occasional author signings.

Another newish (two years old) bookstore I’ve been meaning to get to is in downtown Buchanan. Glendora Bookshop looks from its social media and website to be a sophisticated, readers’ book store like you’d find in a big city or college town. It hosts author readings, a book club, open mic nights and kids’ story time. In addition to selling new books, Glendora accepts books in good condition for trade-in.

Book Shore, 10 W Merchant St., New Buffalo, (269) 586-3681

Flourish Books & Plants, 17649 US 12, New Buffalo

Glendora Bookshop, 110 East Front Street, Buchanan, (269) 479-2728