What if we told you that, nestled within beautiful Oklahoma City on the first floor of 50 Penn Place, there's a safe haven for the mind that exceeds even our wildest imaginations? Well - you might want to be sitting down for this - there is, and it's a place so wonderful that you'll likely find yourself speechless upon arrival. This independent bookseller is the largest bookstore in Oklahoma (at least, the largest independent bookstore in Oklahoma), and once you walk in, you'll never, ever want to leave.
Full Circle Bookstore was originally established as an eclectic counter-culture shop called Bread and Roses in 1970, and since its original iteration (and following a large, destructive fire in 1978), as well as a few ownership changes, it's evolved into quite the local legend.
Full Circle as we know it today opened the day after Thanksgiving in 1980 in a totally new location (considering the previous one burned down): on the third floor of the building it occupies today.
In 2001, the shop moved down to the first floor, and the wide doors of opportunity were flung open.
Despite feeling the effects from the arrival of big-box bookstores in the area in the mid-1990s, this slight tweak in location meant longer hours, more customers, and a very bright future.
Over time, it was renovated and cozy amenities like wood-burning fireplaces, a coffee shop, and comfortable seating were added.
Nowadays, the shop has become a local bookselling behemoth, offering 60,000+ titles and always adding more. It specializes in every genre you could probably ever imagine, from fiction and nonfiction to young adult, sci-fi, action, military, biography, culture, social justice, politics, cooking, crafts, fashion... the list truly does go on forever.
The oak bookcases all over the store are 13 feet tall...
...and yes, you can climb the ladders!
The vibe in the store is unlike anywhere else in Oklahoma City (or all of the Sooner State, for that matter); the soundtrack in the background is a mixture of classical, jazz, and folk, and the wooden shelves and ladders as well as the cozy fires burning all over the store (which, when you think about it, is kind of ironic, considering the fire of '78!) create an atmosphere that is leaps and bounds above any other bookshop you'll ever visit.
For us, it was love at first sight - and we have a sneaking suspicion that it will be the same for you!
So, what do you think? What's your favorite bookstore in Oklahoma? Tell us about it in the comments, and while you're at it, tell us about your favorite book genre, too! For the most up-to-date hours, events, and more, make sure to visit the official Full Circle website.
Reader beware: this amazing shop in Oklahoma might just become your new favorite thing!
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