At the Novel Neighbor in Webster Groves, Mo., Fill Your Tank cards have been a popular new addition, owner Holland Saltsman reported. They can be found on Faire, Saltsman noted, and each deck features questions meant to prompt deep conversations on different themes. Other new additions include a "cute new onesie" from Gladfolk that says "Published 2026"; Love Your Lenses glasses cases from IF; and Smells Like Resistance candles from Archd.
Asked about perennial favorites, Saltsman mentioned Kei and Molly tea towels, which the store has carried for 10 years. They've also carried Frostbeard Studio candles "since the beginning"; Saltsman added that the store has worked with them to create a custom Novel Neighbor scent. On the subject of locally made sidelines, Saltsman said the store does very well with gifts from local artists, and she also pointed to Big Heart Tea Co., which is based in nearby St. Louis.
Touching on tariffs, Saltsman said the store has been more affected by things like a local chocolate supplier passing credit card fees "on to us, which we feel we can't pass on to customers." With tariffs, the store has adjusted by trying to find other sources.
Jill Stephanovich, owner of bbgb books in Richmond, Va., reported that "anything Richard Scarry" is selling exceptionally well right now. That includes tote bags and bookmarks, as well as prints that customers can buy from an Inciardi Prints vending machine. The machine stands about 3.5-feet tall and one print costs $1. Stephanovich recalled having to apply for the machine, and once the store got it, everyone was surprised by how much of a draw it has proven to be. "People collect and trade them," she said. "We've had people drive from three hours away."
Recently, bbgb brought in some Pizza and Taco plush made by Merrymakers, and Stephanovich said the store recently preordered several new jigsaw puzzles from Le Puzz. Asked about perennial favorites, Stephanovich said that aside from store-branded totes and bookmarks, the store does "tons" of Lego. However, because there is a toy store next door, bbgb tends to stick to Lego products like the 5-Minute Builds from Sourcebooks. Stephanovich added that there is "almost always" something from Klutz in stock.
In Seattle, Wash., Ada's Technical Books & Cafe is doing very well with puzzles and art supplies, said purchasing manager Mara Wrede. When it comes to sourcing puzzles, Wrede said she uses Chronicle "quite a bit" due to their "super huge library" and good prices. For art supplies, Wrede will use vendors such as Kikkerland and Cognitive Surplus. She noted that Cognitive Surplus has good drinkware, as well as art supplies, and she named Asobu as another drinkware company that she likes.
The store, which puts a big emphasis on science and technology, carries a lot of craft, DIY, and STEM kits, ranging from remote-controlled race car kits to dinosaur mask-making kits. Some of Ada's kit suppliers include KitsVille, Clockwork Soldier, and Handscraft. Wrede pointed out that she discovered Clockwork Soldier at the NY Now gift show. She recommends that buyers try to attend gift shows if they can, as seeing a product in person "makes all the difference."
When it comes to locally made sidelines, Wrede said they've had a lot of success with "really fun, snarky stickers" from Seattle-based That's So Andrew, as well as "sci-fi stationery" from Rather Puckish. Wrede noted that tariffs have made an impact on sideline buying, particularly with D&D dice sets. Import fees on dice sets have risen so high, she said, that she'd have to sell them for $25-$30 per set, which she feels she can't justify. As a result, she has not been ordering items that would normally be very popular. --Alex Mutter
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