When I first walked into Sandbox Bookstore in Moses Lake in early August 2023, I immediately noticed the cozy, peaceful ambiance that exists within any of my favorite bookstores throughout the Pacific Northwest, along with a type of creative chaos that emerges whenever used and new books share shelving.
Sandbox has that intentional, personalized curation, allowing customers to get to know its three part-timers. In addition to Mai Houvener, the owner, the part-timers offer reading and gaming recommendations. This is something only an independent bookstore can provide! Mai, a mother of three, draws upon family favorites like the board games Carcassonne and Splendor or the children’s book series InvestiGators and The Vanderbeekers.
Each of my subsequent visits to Sandbox builds upon the previous, and thus emerges a shared secret understanding among book lovers: book buying and book reading are two different hobbies connected by an inexplicable love of reading. Mai and her team can help with either or provide recommendations to gift a friend or loved one. You can also participate in a monthly book club!
2024 was a busy year for the bookstore, which expanded and now includes a game room at the back of the store with tables, chairs, and an increased game selection. In recent months, Mai noticed Sandbox needed a dedicated space for gaming, “It’s worked wonders. We have some product in that room, but I think we may have to move it out and just make it dedicated so we have games going on at all times.”
As of October 2024, Sandbox also features expanded hours in the evenings and on Saturdays. Mai, a self-proclaimed book peddler, believes Sandbox Bookstore & Games, which celebrated a rebranding in early 2024, is cozy, community-based, and supported by word of mouth, “We can grow the game part and have that be a huge part of the draw. The community is definitely here
We have seen so many people come in to support us, and they bring people in.” Mai plans to sell new and upcoming games featured on game forums, rather than those you would typically find in big box stores, to foster people to come together and hang out.
With past and upcoming events providing gaming opportunities for customers of all ages to explore popular media like Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Warhammer Age of Sigmar, and more, Sandbox has also worked with Pokémon to host events and ensure the bookstore space is appropriate. A challenge always at the forefront of Mai’s mind is how Sandbox is still on the smaller side, “We like to grow. If this space becomes too small, then we will grow into a larger space to accommodate people. People are looking for things to do, and this is a nice, safe, fun space.”
As Sandbox grows its gaming community, Mai will look for someone more well-versed in running these events. So far, the bookstore has relied on volunteers to help as moderators. Sandbox also recently purchased a gaming table to put in the store and plans to run Dungeons & Dragons campaigns after hours, “People want to go play, but they don’t wanna play at someone’s house and be responsible for hosting somebody. We’ve become that place on Friday nights to do that.”
Mai sees Sandbox Bookstore & Games as a social gathering place where customers can form connections and be part of a community, “Someone said that a bookstore is like the hub of a town. A town square is in the bookstore, and it feels that way. People come in, asking, ‘What’s happening in town this week?’ And somehow, we know what’s going on. People come in and ask us how we’re doing, and it’s kind of a big family. It’s not just someplace to go in and pick up something and leave.”
Sandbox is not Mai’s only endeavor; she also helps operate the Tree Fort Children’s Museum and is currently focused on hosting pop-ups around town to support local families. Mai feels the bookstore has an opportunity to bring people in. Her dream is to ensure all families have access to books and games.
Sandbox Bookstore & Games meets a critical community need. According to Mai, the Smith Martin Professional Building, where Sandbox is located, is a community hub, “We have a little bit of everything. It feels like a college place where people are here studying, doing the work, getting coffee, and having a place that’s comfortable to be in.”
If you are looking for a quiet space with Mason’s Place next door for coffee, you are in the right place. Whenever I need to de-stress, I know where I can go and practice some book (or game) therapy. Visit Sandbox, ask the booksellers for recommendations, and support your local indie bookstore!
