From the outside, Huntington Books stands out from the other businesses on Main Street in Mandan because of a wooden A-frame sign on the sidewalk in front of the store.  It’s a hint:  this store is as fun as Merlin’s library.

Inside, there are used books everywhere–on shelves, stacked on chairs, and in boxes in the back.  Arched doorways, painted brick-and-plaster walls, cultural accents and floral prints, and the roof facades over different store areas make the inside feel like a village of its own.  The fiction section, with its cozy chairs and painted fireplace mural, is especially appealing.

Owner Susan Huntington said two things make running this used book store worthwhile:  meeting and getting to know new people, and the books themselves.

“I just love playing with books,” she said.  “It’s fun, especially the old books.”

The store opened in its first location in February 2005.  Due to the clean-up of a major oil spill, Huntington Books had to move to another location  later that year.  It re-opened at 218 West Main Street in January 2006.  Over the past few years, it’s become a real community asset.

Years ago (as I understand it), Mandan’s Main Street had several nice shops and restaurants.   Efforts to revitalize the downtown area have allowed new businesses to make their home on Main Street.  Huntington Books is one of those very special stores that helps Mandan move back toward its glory days.

But the used book store is not for Mandan alone.  Huntington said she sometimes looks for specific used books for people and likes to help complete sets.  She can be reached for projects like that at (701) 663-2665.  She’s also going to have a web site of her own soon (I’ll keep you posted).