Hours: Mon – Sat from 10 am to 6 pm
Like most mothers, I’d do anything for my children. My son, Jason, has high-functioning autism and it has challenged him all his life. With a lot of help and encouragement, he was able to graduate cum laude from high school. After some private lessons, he finally received his driver’s license and now drives his own car that he bought himself, thanks to a part-time job with a local movie theater chain where he worked for a while, plus an inheritance from my mother when she passed.
Full time employment, however, seemed to be the wall he couldn’t hurdle. He applied but was rarely given the chance to even interview. When he was turned down for the third time for a part-time position at Barnes & Noble in January of 2018, I decided it was time St. George, Utah had an independent bookstore of its own, selling all new books and offering a full slate of events. A bookstore with a heart for those on the autistic spectrum (as well as other disabilities). A bookstore that would give Jason a job and train him to take over one day should he so choose. And it’s been a natural fit for him–he’s always loved books and even taught himself to read by age three.
Like most mothers, I’d do anything for my children. My son, Jason, has high-functioning autism and it has challenged him all his life. With a lot of help and encouragement, he was able to graduate cum laude from high school. After some private lessons, he finally received his driver’s license and now drives his own car that he bought himself, thanks to a part-time job with a local movie theater chain where he worked for a while, plus an inheritance from my mother when she passed.
Full time employment, however, seemed to be the wall he couldn’t hurdle. He applied but was rarely given the chance to even interview. When he was turned down for the third time for a part-time position at Barnes & Noble in January of 2018, I decided it was time St. George, Utah had an independent bookstore of its own, selling all new books and offering a full slate of events. A bookstore with a heart for those on the autistic spectrum (as well as other disabilities). A bookstore that would give Jason a job and train him to take over one day should he so choose. And it’s been a natural fit for him–he’s always loved books and even taught himself to read by age three.
Like most mothers, I’d do anything for my children. My son, Jason, has high-functioning autism and it has challenged him all his life. With a lot of help and encouragement, he was able to graduate cum laude from high school. After some private lessons, he finally received his driver’s license and now drives his own car that he bought himself, thanks to a part-time job with a local movie theater chain where he worked for a while, plus an inheritance from my mother when she passed.
Full time employment, however, seemed to be the wall he couldn’t hurdle. He applied but was rarely given the chance to even interview. When he was turned down for the third time for a part-time position at Barnes & Noble in January of 2018, I decided it was time St. George, Utah had an independent bookstore of its own, selling all new books and offering a full slate of events. A bookstore with a heart for those on the autistic spectrum (as well as other disabilities). A bookstore that would give Jason a job and train him to take over one day should he so choose. And it’s been a natural fit for him–he’s always loved books and even taught himself to read by age three.
You may think indie bookstores are dying, but it’s just not so. A bookstore can be a profitable business if done right. Between 2009 and 2015 when so many other small businesses were going under, the number of independent bookstores rose–so much so that a Harvard professor set out to study the anomaly to find out what they were doing differently. In short, he found that truly successful bookstore all engaged in what he called “the 3 Cs–Community, Convening, and Curation.” That’s what we are trying to do with our bookstore.
The Book Bungalow opened on September 26, 2018, and had its Grand Opening on October 19th. We’re always reaching out to the community, continuing to carefully curate our collection of books, and filling up the calendar with events–sometimes as many as four a week.
The bookcases continue to be full and we even expanded our space in June, 2021 to add a new (and highly popular) Speculative Room, complete with a dedicated Cupboard Under the Stairs for all things Harry Potter. And we’re finally making enough to pay Jason and a few part-timers a salary. While we continue to spread the word that St. George finally has a full-service independent bookstore, we continue to rely on a loyal customer base to make ends meet.
Choose to buy your books locally here at The Book Bungalow, and you’ll be doing more than just purchasing a book—you’ll be supporting a space that fosters creativity, community, and connection. Sure, you could find cheaper prices online, but no website or big-box store can replicate the warm, welcoming atmosphere you’ll experience the moment you step through our doors.
Every dollar you spend here stays within our community, supporting local jobs and strengthening the local tax base. Unlike major online retailers, your purchase doesn’t disappear into the hands of a distant corporate headquarters—it stays right here, helping us grow and continue serving you.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop about upcoming events, author readings, book clubs, and special promotions. Come to our events and meet fellow book lovers, discover new stories, and be part of a community that shares your passion.
Help spread the word by telling your friends about us, sharing your experiences on social media, and leaving a Google review. Your words make a difference in helping us reach more people who love books as much as you do.
If you believe in the importance of bookstores and have the ability to support us further, consider sponsoring a shelf or even an entire room. Donations of $1,000 or more help us expand, improve, and continue offering a space where literature and community come together.
We also want to highlight an important cause. If you have a grown child or relative with autism, or know someone who does, you likely understand how difficult it is for them to find the same level of services and support available to younger children. The Book Bungalow is committed to being an inclusive space where neurodiverse individuals can feel welcomed, valued, and part of something meaningful.
By supporting us in any way—whether through a purchase, a review, a donation, or simply by spreading the word—you’re helping to keep this bookstore alive and thriving. You’re not just helping me, or Jason, but also the wonderful communities of St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, and Ivins, Utah.
Together, we can ensure that The Book Bungalow remains a place where stories come to life, where authors and readers connect, and where everyone feels at home. Thank you for being a part of our story—we can’t wait to see you soon.
Choose to buy your books locally here at The Book Bungalow, and you’ll be doing more than just purchasing a book—you’ll be supporting a space that fosters creativity, community, and connection. Sure, you could find cheaper prices online, but no website or big-box store can replicate the warm, welcoming atmosphere you’ll experience the moment you step through our doors.
Every dollar you spend here stays within our community, supporting local jobs and strengthening the local tax base. Unlike major online retailers, your purchase doesn’t disappear into the hands of a distant corporate headquarters—it stays right here, helping us grow and continue serving you.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop about upcoming events, author readings, book clubs, and special promotions. Come to our events and meet fellow book lovers, discover new stories, and be part of a community that shares your passion.
Help spread the word by telling your friends about us, sharing your experiences on social media, and leaving a Google review. Your words make a difference in helping us reach more people who love books as much as you do.
If you believe in the importance of bookstores and have the ability to support us further, consider sponsoring a shelf or even an entire room. Donations of $1,000 or more help us expand, improve, and continue offering a space where literature and community come together.
We also want to highlight an important cause. If you have a grown child or relative with autism, or know someone who does, you likely understand how difficult it is for them to find the same level of services and support available to younger children. The Book Bungalow is committed to being an inclusive space where neurodiverse individuals can feel welcomed, valued, and part of something meaningful.
By supporting us in any way—whether through a purchase, a review, a donation, or simply by spreading the word—you’re helping to keep this bookstore alive and thriving. You’re not just helping me, or Jason, but also the wonderful communities of St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, and Ivins, Utah.
Together, we can ensure that The Book Bungalow remains a place where stories come to life, where authors and readers connect, and where everyone feels at home. Thank you for being a part of our story—we can’t wait to see you soon.
