Conkeys Bookstore/Appleton, WI

A Tour of Independent Bookstores by Sue Roupp

Conkey’s Bookstore
226 East College Avenue
Appleton, WI 54911
920.735.6223 phone 1.800.279.4623 toll free
info@conkeys.com


Conkey’s is 110 years old and is the oldest bookstore in Wisconsin. Appropriately, the floor in the lower level rooms is the original yellow brick. Whether the brick is worn from several old tenants or from students or other book lovers looking for the right read these bricks underlay the on-going endurance of this bookstore.

Old rooms with painted metal ceilings merge into each other with wooden bookcases holding a variety of books on every topic imaginable. Another rack features Wisconsin writers and poets. There is a huge collection of wind chimes partly hanging over a table with wonderful discounted books.

Conkey’s has a rewards program, they pride themselves on filling orders fast whether it is an individual order or a school order. There is a large kid’s section, an adjacent gift shop with a coffee shop behind the gift shop. The gift shop has cards as well as gifts and the coffee shop features homemade treats, coffee, tea, lattes. The first and third Tuesdays
there is an open mic in the cozy wood-trimmed coffee shop. Poets and writers from all over read from their works, then anyone else wanting to read just steps up to the mic.

People in the Appleton community feel included here. After a 100 years, Conkey’s genetic imprint probably comes along with being a resident. One lady who has lived across the street all of her life comes in every morning to get her newspaper. Students from Lawrence University down the street buy some of their textbooks here, Moms and Dads who grew up coming to the store with their parents for books now bring their own children. Next time you are in Appleton go east of the highway to a captivating downtown location named Conkey’s.