Downtown Howell is about to get a new hangout for book lovers and caffeine addicts alike. Oliver & Co., an independent bookstore and cafe, is set to open at the end of May, giving locals a cozy spot to browse the shelves and grab a coffee under one roof.
Co-owners Seth and Stephanie Perrin are aiming for a hybrid space that feels as much like a neighborhood living room as a shop. Their plan: a tightly curated mix of titles for all ages, a small cafe, and a selection of gift items, all tucked into 212 S. Michigan Avenue, just steps from the Collective Howell events venue. Inside, the shelves will share space with tchotchkes and other small nic-nacks, while the cafe serves coffee, pastries, cinnamon rolls and bagels. The Perrins expect to keep hours around 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days, according to WhatNow.
What To Expect
The Perrins are leaning into a warm, community-focused layout, the kind of place where you can duck in for a quick latte or lose track of time poking through the stacks. It is a familiar pairing, and not by accident. Across the country, bookstores that double as hangout spaces have been part of a broader resurgence in independent bookselling and experiential retail, a trend highlighted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. At the same time, Publishers Weekly has noted that many indie stores are drawing steady crowds by leaning into events and author programming, turning casual browsers into regulars.
Downtown Impact
If all goes according to plan, Oliver & Co. will become the only bookstore in Howell’s downtown core, filling a gap for readers who have been heading to other towns for in-person browsing. Early buzz suggests the neighborhood is more than ready. “The outpouring of support and phone calls, it's heart warming,” co-owner Stephanie Perrin said, as reported by WhatNow.
Sitting near an event space and other small retailers, the shop is poised to feed into downtown’s pedestrian energy along Grand River Avenue and the surrounding blocks once doors open. For now, the Perrins are finishing renovations and still targeting the end of May. They are posting updates, including opening details and hours, on the shop’s Facebook page. The debut will serve as an early-season test of Howell’s downtown retail revival as foot traffic starts to ramp back up.
