Huckleberries: Bookstore tops list of soulful places

Fotoman, another of the prized Huckleberries Online commenters, stopped by Bonners Books/Bonners Ferry on the way back from an outing recently. Here’s his description of the classic place: “It’s got it all: high ceilings, creaky hardwood floors, a cat, an old grand piano, good selection of books, cards, and calendars, etc. It’s got that perfect funky ambiance a bookstore should have. For me, it’s a destination resort.” Later that day, Fotoman spotted an article in a recent New Yorker mag that complained New York City was getting too modern and losing its soulful places. Which started Fotoman thinking about the soulful places in the Inland Northwest. Bonners Books was at the top of Fotoman’s list, which included: the Panida Theatre and the Hydra in Sandpoint. Hudson’s Hamburgers, Moon Time, Rustler’s Roost, Mexican Food Factory, Toro Viejo in the Coeur d’Alene area. The Wallace Corner, (“actually, all of Wallace”). The BookPeople in Moscow. The Main Street Grill in Lewiston. Wordon’s Market & Deli (“the best anywhere”), Butterfly Herbs, Rockin’ Rudy’s in Missoula, Auntie’s Bookstore, Lindaman’s restaurant, Rockwood Bakery, and the Tinman Gallery (“it has only a few hundred books for sale, but they’re all gems”) in Spokane. Idaho Escapee, who recently moved from the Lake City to the Oregon Coast, agreed with the Rustler’s Roost entry and added two more: Java On Sherman (once the old Hart Drug Store) and “the place with the most soul: City Park. An endlessly beautiful place.” No argument here.