Emerald Isle Books and Toys

This indie store offers so much more than books. The family who owns it recognizes that people might want to do something besides read at the beach, so they stock everything from classic board games to craft kits to blank journals to kites to bath stuff to, if you believe one of their signs, «Children’s — Beach Books — Pirates.»
The atmosphere alone is a reason to visit. Instead of the typical corporate «browsing environment» set up by the big chains, EIBT has wide plank floors that creak and smell like a country store’s. Their kids area is friendly and colorful. Their discount rack contains books you might actually want to read. And their staff are friendly and helpful.
Because it’s an independent bookseller, EIBT doesn’t have rock-​bottom prices for some of their items. But in this era of big-​box, impersonal «consumer activity,» it’s worth a few dollars to support such a community-​oriented, local business.