Off Planet Books and Puzzles, a bookstore focused on science fiction and fantasy, opened September 19 in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, the Des Moines Register reported.
Located at 1225 Copper Creek Dr., Suite F, the bookstore carries a wide array of speculative fiction along with horror, nonfiction, and children's titles; there is also a selection of roughly 500 puzzles, with a few having 18,000 pieces and even 24,000 pieces.
The book inventory is a mix of new titles and remainders, and owner Bill Claman has priced everything to end in 84 cents ($19.84 instead of $19.99, for example), which he says is an homage to the year he graduated high school. The shop's decor is themed around outer space and includes murals, lighting arrangements, and a green alien figure on the front counter.
"I just think the experience is really what it should be about," Claman, an Air Force veteran, told the Des Moines Register. A self-published author, he described himself as having a lifelong obsession with outer space and UFOs.
Prior to opening Off Planet, Claman began selling books, puzzles, and space-themed merchandise at flea markets, state fairs, and other events. Two years ago he bought a trailer to hold all of his inventory, and eventually he decided to open a bricks-and-mortar store. While he still works a full-time job, he would like to one day retire from that and focus on the bookstore, which he called "the fun part."
Claman said the grand opening was a success: there was a steady stream of business throughout the day, and around 20 people were in attendance for the ribbon cutting.