Main Street Books

Specialties

Main Street Books is a cute and cozy indie bookstore in the heart of Historic St. Charles, MO. We carry mostly new books– everything from NYT bestselling titles to local authors, children’s books and the hottest YA series’, history and St. Charles/​St. Louis interest, as well as cookbooks, nature guides, sports and humor. We carry Beanie Babies, Mary Meyer plush, Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles, White Mountain Puzzles, and several other sideline items that compliment nicely the purchase of books. We also have a small used book section and a robust selection of writing guides. Our stock changes all the time– stop by and see what’s new!

History

Established in 1993.

Main Street Books was founded by Mary Fran Rash, during the Great Flood. Fortunately, the flood waters did not reach the store’s original location on the west side of Main Street: Collier Cottage, a building dating back to the late 1860s. In 2006, it moved to the present location near the Visitor’s Center. Around the time Main Street Books moved, the store changed hands; Vicki and Jim Erwin of Kirkwood, MO assumed ownership of the store that Vicki had often visited as a sales rep for Scholastic. For nearly 8 years, Vicki managed the day-​to-​day operations of the store, coordinated author events, and even managed to write a book on the history of St. Charles. In late 2013, the store changed hands yet again. The Halls. Emily, Ellen and Andy took over in February of 2014, with Emily stepping into Vicki’s role as co-​owner and proprietress. The Hall Family hopes to continue the legacy that began with Mary Fran in 1993 and that was perpetuated by Vicki in 2006 honorably.

Meet the Business Owner

Emily H.

Business Owner

Emily is a St. Charles native and holds an English degree from Truman State University. She has always been a voracious reader, and so has taken very well to her new position as Co-​Owner and Proprietress of Main Street Books. When not managing the store and coordinating author events, she divides her time between trying to read every book ever, watching her budgies (Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, of course) surpass their own adorable-​ness, and stealing spare moments with her long-​suffering yet eternally supportive boyfriend.