Photos: Stirling Books & Brew Hosts ‘Cozy Grown-Up Book Fair’

February 18, 2026 Kaleigh Miller Arts/Culture, Community, News, Photos 0

Many people stand and sit in an open, low-lit cafe. Parked cars are visible through the front windows of the store at the front of the room.
Attendees of the book fair gather in Stirling Books & Brew in downtown Albion. Co-owner Jim Stuart said he “always likes it when people come into the store” (Photo by Kaleigh Miller).

For years, Scholastic has held book fairs at schools across the country. On Wednesday, Stirling Books & Brew brought their customers back to their childhoods with a cozy grown-up book fair.

The event, which brought community members from Albion and neighboring communities to  Stirling Books & Brew in downtown Albion, was organized by co-owner Jim Stuart.

Included in the $20 experience was one free book, a coffee and a 40% off coupon to use the night of the event. There was also a station available for attendees to make bookmarks.

Stuart said he enjoys meeting new people and getting to know them, and since Stirling’s opening in 2017, he has been looking for ways to bring college students into the store.

Stirling hosts events weekly, Stuart said, such as Friday night trivia, adding that he looks forward to hosting more events.

Stuart also said he and his wife try to “love others actively,” a value they live by.

“All we mean by that is try to be kind and helpful to everyone,” Stuart said.

Two women pose, smiling, for a picture. The one on the right is wearing a yellow sweater with butterflies on it, holding a cup. The woman on the left is holding two books. There is a wall of bookshelves behind them.
Courtney Shawns and Kaitlyn Cheavalier of Jackson pose as they browse the fiction section of the bookstore (Photo illustration by Kaleigh Miller).
Two women look at a book together. In front of them is a bookcase at an angle, and behind them there is a long bookcase along the wall. Skeins of yarn hang on a rack in the background.
Amy Reimann, alumna ‘00, and Elizabeth Williamson, alumna ‘10, look through a book together. Reimann said the event was “great fun” and a good opportunity to “get out the house” (Photo by Kaleigh Miller).
A storefront with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Inside, people stand and talk or sit at tables, surrounded by warm light. Four signs hang at the front of the store. From left to right, neon signs read “Cappuccino New & Used Books,” “Coffee 5,” “Open” and “Stirling books & brew.”
The entrance to Stirling Books & Brew offers a view of the book fair from the street. Stuart said he and his wife want people to “find this to be a pleasant, safe, enjoyable place” (Photo by Kaleigh Miller).
A table with an array of books is displayed. On the wall behind, there are flyers for upcoming events.
Various books set up at the front of the bookstore where participants could pick out a free book and an in-store coupon (Photo by Kaleigh Miller).
A medium-length shot of a man behind a desk at a cash register, checking out a woman in a black coat. To the right, a man stands in line behind the woman.
Stuart checks out a customer as others look through the store’s selection (Photo by Kaleigh Miller).
A woman in a wheelchair talks to two women behind her in line. There are chairs in front of the barista booth. A sign hanging from the ceiling points to the cafe, and another points to the restroom.
Stacy Stuart, co-owner and wife to Jim Stuart, speaks to customers by the cafe counter. One free hot or cold coffee was included in the book fair’s price (Photo by Kaleigh Miller).
About Kaleigh Miller 3 Articles
Is a First-Year journalist from Grand Rapids. A psychology major and communications minor.

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