Joshua Weilert
November 2025
I was traveling from New York for work and decided to stop into Hares & Hatters after seeing online that they host a book club. The book they were reading, If Cats Disappeared from the World, had been on my to-read list for a while, so I finished it on my trip and went to the meeting. I’m really glad I did. The moment I walked in, the shop felt cozy and welcoming. It’s a small store, but in the best way: comfortable, well curated, and full of great books across genres. I even ended up adding several new titles to my Goodreads just from browsing. I spoke with one of the owners, and she was incredibly kind. You can feel how passionate she is about stories and about creating a place where people can talk about them. She seemed genuinely happy that someone from so far away found their shop and enjoyed the experience. The book club itself was wonderful. There were about a dozen of people, and even though I was from out of town, they treated me no differently. Everyone was friendly, open, and happy to have another perspective in the discussion. I also loved the dedicated kids’ section; for a small shop, they’ve created a space with something for everyone. Although I didn’t buy anything since I’m flying back home and mostly read on Kindle, I absolutely would come back the next time I’m in Pocatello. This is the kind of local bookstore that reminds you why indie shops matter: warm people, real community, and a genuine love of books. Highly recommend to both locals and travelers passing through.
