Louisville’s Carmichael’s Bookstore Combines National Independent Bookstore Day with Kentucky Derby

Carmichael’s Bookstore to Participate in First National Independent Bookstore Day

Louisville, KY, April 7, 2015 – May 2nd of 2015 will mark the first nationwide Independent Bookstore Day (IBD). Independent Bookstore Day is a special one-day event designed to harness the creative power of authors, publishers, and booksellers to celebrate the reading community and the positive impact of indie bookstores on American culture.

Carmichael'sIndependent Bookstore Day is a collaboration between nine regional associations representing more than 400 bookstores across the United States. It’s modeled on Independent Record Store Day, which continues to be a huge success for indie record stores. IBD will celebrate the culture of reading, and also put to rest the false narrative that bookstores are dying. In fact, independent bookstores are enjoying a tremendous resurgence based in part on the strength of the Shop Local movement. To encourage readers to visit their local indie on IBD, a number of very limited, unique literary items will be available exclusively at independent bookstores across the country only on May 2nd. Each item is a work of art created by a well-known writer especially for IBD.  Examples are: Lemony Snicket tea towels, a Margaret Atwood stencil, a signed Chris Ware print, a literary map of the seas, and many more fun, quirky collectibles.Since is also Derby Day, Carmichael’s is embracing the excitement by throwing an alternative Derby party with special events throughout the day.Activities include “A Race Around the Carmichael’s” and an “Old Fashioned Derby Party” where guests will learn how to mix an Old Fashioned, sample some bourbon-smoked items from Bourbon Barrel Foods, and listen to a radio broadcast of the race. In the evening, there will be an after-party with a food truck and deals for late shoppers. Carmichael’s KIDS will have its own slate of fun Derby-themed activities for children throughout the day as well as special IBD items for sale.

Since May 2nd is also Derby Day, Carmichael’s is embracing the excitement by throwing an alternative Derby party with special events throughout the day. Every time a race goes off at Churchill Downs, Carmichael’s will release a new collectible for sale and feature a Derby-themed activity. Activities include “A Race Around the Carmichael’s” and an “Old Fashioned Derby Party” where guests will learn how to mix an Old Fashioned, sample some bourbon-smoked items from Bourbon Barrel Foods, and listen to a radio broadcast of the race. In the evening, there will be an after-party with a food truck and deals for late shoppers. Carmichael’s KIDS will have its own slate of fun Derby-themed activities for children throughout the day as well as special IBD items for sale.

Carmichael’s has teamed up with Louisville’s Hound Dog Press, The Morris Bookshop in Lexington, Coffee Tree Books in Morehead and Poor Richard’s Books in Frankfort to offer gorgeous limited edition Kentucky-themed letterpress bookmarks and posters. Bookmarks featuring quotes by Wendell Berry, Silas House, and the new Kentucky Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon will be available for $2 each and a very limited number of posters displaying all three bookmarks and featuring the authors’ signatures will also be available. Proceeds from sales of the posters and bookmarks at each bookstore will go to a local non-profit that promotes literacy. Carmichael’s donation will go to The Louisville Story Program.

Everyone who visits a Carmichael’s location on Indie Bookstore Day will be entered in a drawing for a selection of great prizes including gift certificates, tote bags, Wendell Berry broadsides, and, of course, books. For more details on Carmichael’s plans for IBD, visit carmichaelsbookstore.com. We will also be posting regular updates on Facebook and Twitter (@carmichaelsbook). Hope to see you at Carmichael’s on Indie Bookstore Day!