It can be difficult these days, amid the buzz of corporate chain coffee shops and dwindling big box bookstores, to sift through some interesting books in peace with a decent cup of joe.
Preston Hollow locals Emily and Drew Dawson have solved this conundrum with their sanctuary of sanity, Bird’s Bookstore in the Preston Royal shopping center.
With its earthy yet sophisticated wood interiors, eclectic array of books and fashion/lifestyle magazines, collection of artisanal, regional goods, and on-site café, Bird’s is an oasis in a bustling, overly digital world.
“I don’t want you to come in and just see every Rizzoli book you see at every other store,” Emily said. “I want you to come in and discover a person you didn’t know or see a book that you’ve seen on Instagram or online that you didn’t know how to get or had to pay $20 for shipping to get, and we have it.”
The September opening of the Dawsons’ cozy nest near Eatzi’s was a decade in the making for the couple, who share a lifelong passion for books and desire to create a place that makes people happy.
About two years ago, they decided to turn their dreams into a brick-and-mortar reality. They lucked into finding their current location, which is well-stocked with everything from nature and history books to design, memoirs, fiction, and children’s.
The range of publications reflects the couple themselves, who Emily called “both sides of the coin.” Drew’s a bibliophile, while Emily stocks the store’s art books and other unique items. Readers who explore the bookstore can expect to find something they didn’t expect.
“Hopefully, our customers can come in and discover something they didn’t know existed,” Emily said, “or be surprised to see a brand they only saw in the UK and see it here.”
A café that serves brews from Dallas’ Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters is at the heart of the shop’s four homey sections.
“I think it is one of the best things about the store,” Emily said. “It just makes it feel that much more cozy and a home away from home, which is what we wanted the store to be like.”
“One of my favorite things to see is people sitting in the café having a cup of coffee and an impromptu little book club,” Drew added with a smile. “It happens quite a bit.”
Their bookstore’s greatest asset, the couple said, is its knowledgeable staff. The Dawsons chose their sales associates based on personalities and reading preferences. Each has a different area of expertise, but all share a commitment to the couple and their customers.
“I actually had my baby shower here the day after we opened,” Emily chuckled of the Sept. 5 soft opening. “The staff has been amazing.”
Over the next six months, the bookstore plans to host events highlighting local authors. Past and future guests include Beth Is Dead author Katie Bernet, author of the national bestseller The Bright Years Sarah Damoff, and middle grade, young adult, and fiction writer Jill Sayre.
“That’s something we want to champion, too,” Drew said. “There’s a ton of great authors in Dallas that we want to get involved in the store.”
Author
Josh Hickman
Josh Hickman is a national award-winning journalist, visual artist, sometime musician, and author of seven books. His writing For People Newspapers often focuses on arts & culture, local small businesses, local history & government, and interesting personal stories. His paintings include a commission for Dallas County and a donation to Parkland Memorial Hospital.
