Our first independent bookstore profile!
Come along and meet this unique-in-Idaho (to my knowledge!) roving independent bookstore.
How did your bookstore come about? Any origin stories? How long have you been in existence?
Curbside Books grew out of a love of bookstores as places where people linger, wander, and stumble into something they didn’t know they needed. I wanted to build a bookstore that could meet people where they already are, literally and figuratively. The idea took shape when I purchased a vintage trolley and began converting it into a mobile bookstore. What started as a slightly wild idea quickly became a very real project involving renovation, planning, and a lot of learning along the way. Curbside Books began popping up around Boise with our kiosk in late 2024 and is still very much in its early chapter, now on our trolley, growing one stop at a time.
Do you tend to focus on particular genres or filling any particular gap or need?
Curbside Books focuses on curated, secondhand books, with an emphasis on approachability and discovery. I love helping people reconnect with reading, whether they’re lifelong readers or someone who hasn’t picked up a book in years. Rather than specializing narrowly, the goal is to offer a thoughtful mix that invites browsing and conversation. Books that feel good to hold, talk about, and take home. I’m especially drawn to fiction, character-driven stories, and books that spark connection, but the inventory shifts depending on the pop-up and the community.
What is your biggest challenge as an independent bookseller?
Right now, the biggest challenge is balancing growth with capacity. As a solo owner running pop-ups, managing inventory, building partnerships, and continuing the trolley build, there’s always more to do than time allows.
Another challenge is visibility. Being mobile is a strength, but it also means constantly introducing the concept to new audiences. Each pop-up is both a bookstore and an introduction, which takes energy and intention.
What makes you excited or brings you joy as an independent bookseller?
The moments of unexpected connection are what bring me the most joy. Watching someone step onto the trolley out of curiosity and leave with a book they’re genuinely excited about. Hearing people tell stories about what they’re reading, or what they used to love reading. Seeing neighbors run into each other and stay longer than they planned. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a small pocket of calm and curiosity in the middle of a busy day.
Tell us a bit about your staff — how it’s grown, or a fun story, or anything along that line.
Curbside Books is currently a one-person operation, with plenty of help from friends, community members, and my unofficial mascot, Snoots the dog. Being solo has made the business very personal. I’m the one setting up, recommending books, chatting with customers, and packing up at the end of the day. I look forward to the day when the bookstore grows enough to bring others into the mix, but for now, that closeness is part of the charm.
Independents have the ability to create their own identity, perhaps. What makes your bookstore unique or special?
Curbside Books is a bookstore that comes to you, housed in a vintage trolley that feels more like a cozy room than a retail space. The experience is intentionally slower and more conversational than a traditional store. Because it’s mobile, the bookstore adapts to its surroundings. A coffee shop parking lot, a neighborhood event, a winery, or a market all shape the experience slightly differently. The focus is less on transactions and more on creating a shared moment around books.
What would you hope to see your bookstore doing/being in five years’ time?
In five years, I hope Curbside Books is a familiar and beloved presence across Boise and beyond, with recurring neighborhood stops and strong local partnerships. I’d love for it to be my full-time work, sustainable and thriving, with room to host events, book clubs, and collaborations. Longer term, I hope it continues to be a place people associate with connection, curiosity, and the simple joy of finding the right book at the right time.
Where are you located? Any significance to the chosen location?
Curbside Books is based in Boise, Idaho, but because it’s mobile, it doesn’t belong to just one neighborhood. That flexibility is intentional. Boise’s mix of close-knit neighborhoods, local businesses, and community events makes it an ideal place for a roaming bookstore. The goal is to reflect the city’s warmth and creativity by showing up in different spaces and becoming part of many small communities rather than just one fixed location.
Upcoming events
Check their website.
- Saturday 24 January 2026 (noon to 4 p.m.)
- Idaho Pups & Ales, 70 S. Outpost Ln., Meridian ID
Would you like your independent bookstore featured?
Visit our submissions page (4th bullet) to learn more.
