Birmingham, Bookstore Tourism, Bookstore Travels, Bookstores

Books, Beans and Candles MS

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Books, Beans and Candles MS is in an old Birmingham house going up 20th on your way to Vulcan. It’s on the righthand side, just after you pass the “Y-split”. Owners Mitchell and Darby Hagood have been at this location since August 2008, though they’ve been in business for two and a half years. Ever since seeing the sign out front (it starts with the word books!) I’d been trying to find time to stop in and see what it’s all about and finally was able to make it in and get some photos.

The view from the street.
The view from the street.

Mitchell Hagood sums up the shop with one word… “metaphysical”. (photos after the jump)

It’s a word that he uses to describe much of what’s inside and the books they sell, all revolving wournd religious, philosophical, magical, environmental thoughts. Hagood says that he special orders a lot of books for customers and not just the titles he sells.

“There are so many paths, there is no way I could carry them all,” said Hagood.

Books, Beans and Candles MS also offers wi-fi, meeting room space, reading nooks, a coffee shop, martial arts, belly dance classes and courses in meditation. They also sell lots of things you’d think of finding in such an interesting place as Books, Beans and Candles MS, in addition to just their books.

They are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to around 9 p.m.

Books, Beans and Candles MS
1620 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd South
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
205.453.4636
www.bookbeancandle.com

Below are some photos I took while walking through one of Brimingham’s newest booksellers.

Bookstore sign
Bookstore sign
On the front porch drinking coffee.
On the front porch drinking coffee.
The bookstrores front door.
The bookstrore's front door.
When you first walk in.
When you first walk in, books are in the room to the right.
Bookcase
Bookcase
Another bookcase.
Another bookcase.
More books.
More books.
Yeah! More books!
Yeah! More books!
Table set up next to all the books
Table set up next to all the books
One of the many reading spots.
One of the many reading spots.
There is a big red dragon painted on the wall, on your way upstairs.
There is a big red dragon painted on the wall, on your way upstairs.
The old house has many nice stained-glass pieces.
The old house has many nice stained-glass pieces.
I think they teach the martial arts and dancing classes in here (but not at the same time).
I think they teach the martial arts and dancing classes in here (but not at the same time).
One of the rooms upstairs has more stuff to buy.
One of the rooms upstairs has more stuff to buy.
One of the best features of the shop is the second-floor backporch. A great place to sit and read.
One of the best features of the shop is the second-floor backporch. A great place to sit and read.
View of Birmingham from the back porch.
View of Birmingham from the back porch.

I think they sell candles and such out of this room.
I think they sell candles and such out of this room.
Lots of medieval pieces around the first floor, like these swords. I think its all for sale. I didnt check.
Lots of medieval pieces around the first floor, like these swords. I think it's all for sale. I didn't check.
A bookcase of blades.
A bookcase of blades.
More medieval style stuff. Being in this room with all the blades and banners made me want to read a King Arthur book.
More medieval style stuff. Being in this room with all the blades and banners made me want to read a King Arthur book.

5 thoughts on “Books, Beans and Candles MS”

  1. Thanks for this post. I’ve driven by this place so many times and wondered what’s inside. Great view from the deck. Is parking on the side?

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  2. There is parking on the side, but it’s not exactly the best marked spot. For a totally stress-free outing I’d wait until the weekend or late afternoon and park in one of the neighboring establishments’ lots.

    Reply

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