Located on Kauai’s southern coast is Talk Story Bookstore, a charming must-see retail experience that is beloved by locals and tourists alike. We highly recommend visiting this unique tourist destination during your visit to Hawaii. It is conveniently located in the historical area of Kauai that celebrates the area’s once-thriving sugar cane industry. Locals describe Talk Story Bookstore as, a cozy bookstore in an old building on a former sugar plantation town.” The name was inspired by a Hawaiian phrase, meaning to chat or shoot the breeze.
The storefront welcomes you with vintage signage, string lighting, and a few free parking spots in front, but it’s what you see inside that is well worth your time. Once you walk through the front door of this quaint location, you’ll be amazed. This charming1,500 square foot space is filled with shelves stacked full of one-of-a-kind books, local memorabilia, historical tributes, and more. You might even see the house cat napping in a corner of the store. You’ll find all types of books. Some report more than 25,000 in inventory featuring everything from the latest bestsellers to popular vintage titles. There’s something for everyone at Talk Story, even if books aren’t your passion. But if they are, you’ll be like a kid in a candy store.
There is a wide variety of books and souvenirs to purchase and take back home. Talk Story Bookstore is loaded with comic books, Hawaiian LP’s, sheet music, vintage magazines, collectible books, video games, and unique things you might not see anywhere else. Some of the most popular sellers feature information about the area’s interesting history. The tourists love to learn more about the culture and history of the sugar cane industry after visiting the nearby Old Koloa Sugar Mill Plantation and the monument in the town.
Talk Story Bookstore was founded by the Virginian resident, Ed Justus, who moved his home-based bookselling business to Hanapepe Hawaii in 2004. He explains that during a visit to the islands he fell in love with everything the area had to offer. He made a decision to relocate and make Hawaii his home. His dream came true in 2004 when he opened his doors at the current location and has kept the same concept throughout the years. Justus wanted his store to be a place where people could enjoy one another, laugh, share stories with both old and new friends. Folks will say that when visiting Talk Story they find treasures they didn’t even know they were looking for.
There’s a reason more than one million visitors visit Talk Story Bookstore and Hanapepe every year. It is part of a collaborative cultural revitalization that is occurring in the area and everyone loves it. Talk Story Bookstore owner along with other shop owners in the area are actively preserving this quaint and historic town. This area of Hawaii is highly recommended as a place to experience and shoot the breeze. You’ll be glad you did.
Insider Tip:
There’s a shop cat named Celeste, so don’t be afraid to say hi to the little animal you find meowing around the corner.