When you open the doors to Back in the Day Books, it is literally like stepping through a time machine. The outside world suddenly dissipates, and you are cast into a dimension in which you choose what world to delve into. The glorious smell of old books circulates in the small room, and it is without a doubt that that something special has been discovered.
Here in Florida, finding a bookstore that doesn’t adhere to mainstream ideals is kind of a big thing. It’s almost like finding a needle in a haystack. So, when I found Back in the Day Books tucked away in the center of Downtown Dunedin on Main Street, I knew I had found a new home. Somewhere that I could feed my desire for the classics and the obscure.
You know what I am talking about? Something that didn’t involve teen paranormal romance and the like. Nothing that involves vampires, or hormonal teenagers running around in high school.
Real, hardcore literature. Warning: Not for the average Joe.
A little investigation into the birth of Back in the Day Books only led to a story that is equally as impressive as the store’s collection. It is a little tale about an up-and-coming lawyer turned book collector. Say what?
Yep, you heard right. His name is Boe Rushing, and before he decided to open this fantastic little bookstore, he was an assistant state attorney for roughly eight years. Over that course of time, he played around with various types of law and seemed to be quite content with his life. He said he had wanted to make a difference in his community, and was very successful in making those wishes come true. However, that didn’t seem to quell the absent feeling inside of him. Something was missing. No matter what he did, Rushing was beginning to find that maybe law just wasn’t his cup of tea, successful or not.
A move to Ontario sealed the deal when he found that upon arrival he would have to go through even more schooling in order to continue practicing in the legal world. That was when Rushing’s eyes were opened, and a whole new window of opportunities was presented. With the whole lawyer gig out of the way, Rushing found he was able to pursue his true passion as a book collector. His choice to quit his practice in law was the perfect catalyst. A push leading him to create something verging on spectacular.
In 2002, Rushing opened is very first bookstore, Bowman’s Books. It had a good run, about three years, and over that span of time Rushing’s collection grew larger than he could have imagined. Which wouldn’t have been an issue, had Boe and his wife not decided to move to Clearwater, Florida a few years after. The collection was too vast, and he had realized that what started out as a hobby grew into a full fledged passion with the inventory to back it up. Unfortunately, most of those books had to be sold off in the move, and Rushing was only able to keep some of his favorites.
It was really a blessing in disguise, though. With all of that storage space cleared out, Rushing was able to start his treasure hunting all over again. And so, the Rushings made their way to Boe’s place of birth. And it is here that Back in the Day Books was born. The first store opened in Tarpon Springs, Florida in 2010. It had a good, long run, but Boe decided to move the store into a smaller space in Dunedin not that long ago.
And so there you have it. In the heart of a little town which buzzes with artistic vibes and radiates personality. Really, Dunedin is the perfect location for an antique bookstore. There it sits, waiting for the occasional passerby to open its doors. The little bell tingles above the entrance, and the staff greets you with a grin on their faces and the knowledge to solve any inquiry you might throw at them. Just take a second when you do walk in, and breathe in the wonderful smell of old books. It is the most wonderful smell in the world. Seriously, why they haven’t made it an air freshener yet is beyond me! It is the scent of history and culture, passed down for generations until they came to this one little bookstore.
Here’s a little tip: If you plan to venture out to visit the book haven of Dunedin, make sure you set aside some time. It is not the type of store you can simply breeze right on through. It’s not a very large room, but there are more books crowded in there than you can imagine. Look around. Look on every shelf, in every corner. Look in between books, even if it seems as if there is nothing there. Look high, look low. Look sideways. Just look at every angle possible. You won’t believe the what is stored away there!
You’ll definitely want to be sure to take notice of the books on the top shelf of the second aisle. Classic first editions sit, practically untouched, and in mint condition. Their jackets still in tact, some even have plastic wrapping still encasing them. It is easy to get engrossed in all that literature. Just imagine yourself getting lost in it all. Hours seem to slip by so easily as you peruse every shelf-every dusty book.
And as you are deciding whether or not to buy the first editions of Tender is the Night or Of Mice and Men, something will undoubtedly catch your eye. It’s something you probably ignored at first what with being overwhelmed about where to even begin in such a place. However, it is something that cannot go unexplored. It’s the glass case, reaching over the entire expanse of the room. In there, you will find books older than you’re grandparents. Some even reach over two hundred years old! My personal favorite being a book of George Washington’s political works, published during his presidency. That is not the only book of its kind either. More along those same lines sit on display, just waiting for the right person to come along and fall in love with them.
It is truly amazing, to think that these gems-items that should surely be in a museum-sit in some rinky dink town. Just goes to show you never know what you’ll find. Back in the Day Books is just brimming with personality, and has a selection that adheres to any book collector’s unique tastes. Just be sure to keep in mind, as you peruse the store, that you are looking at the expert findings of a man who completely changed his life around. Someone who dropped everything smack dab in the middle of his career, and whose entire life has become centered around literature. Those books are Boe Rushing’s personal collection, and he is eager to share them with you.
