The Readery blends downtown cafe, bookstore

SANDPOINT — Healthy bodies and healthy minds are the order of the day at The Readery.

Located downtown in Oishii Sushi’s former location, The Readery is a combination cafe and bookstore already developing a reputation for quality food and an intellectually stimulating atmosphere. Co-owner Anna Boshka hopes the business will become a favorite for local book clubs and authors seeking a venue for live readings. Of course, she also wants to give local readers a great venue for a sandwich, a coffee and a good book.

“I’ve always wanted to own a bookstore, and (my brother) Michael is a great chef, so we decided to combine our talents,” Boshka said.

The Readery is more than a bookstore. It’s also a cafe serving breakfast and lunch with a healthy selection of sandwiches and breakfast favorites. Customers can build their own sandwich or choose from one of several great concoctions developed by Michael Boshka, the resident chef at The Readery. One particular favorite is the turkey, ham, Brie cheese and fig jam. Meanwhile, a breakfast dish worth considering is the zucchini bread French toast.

“You hear a lot about banana bread French toast, but this actually works a lot better,” Michael Boshka said. “The texture is lighter and you still get that sweetness from the batter.”

The cafe’s guiding principles are fairly simple but effective. The preparation avoids unnecessary frills, relying instead on organic, fresh ingredients that pack a flavorful punch while providing solid nutrition for the body.  

Eventually, Boshka aims to put together a dinner menu, but at this point, the team is focusing on establishing themselves. When the time does come to expand, however, Boshka’s intention is to create a lineup of food items that reflects the shop’s healthy, organic philosophy while establishing the ambiance people expect for their primary meal.     The Readery is also a great place to grab a coffee. For those with a little time on their hands, there are few purer pleasures than enjoying a great coffee and a great book in the shop’s elegantly decorated seating area. According to Anna Boshka, the shop will be an excellent environment for intellectually stimulating pastimes like book clubs, live readings, live music, lectures and other events. The business staff will also start up a book club in the coming months that residents are welcome to join.

There’s probably no better time to get a sense of The Readery than this Friday, when the crew is hosting a grand opening and appreciation party starting 6:30 p.m. The evening will feature the music of singer-songwriter Alysoun Johnston, as well as drinks and appetizers. Even better, the night will be an excellent opportunity for The Readery to integrate itself into the community.

“When I was growing up in Bigfork, Mont., our local bookseller knew everyone and their reading tastes,” Boshka said. “I want to be that lady for Sandpoint.”

Information: 597-7866 or on Facebook www.facebook.com/thereaderysandpoint