On January 17, Jupiter’s Eye Book Cafe opened in downtown Spokane, specializing in science fiction, fantasy and horror.
For college students, Jupiter’s Eye – as the name implies – is a place where one can get away from the stress of school and spend some time in a “cozy” spot. The cafe, along with a plethora of books, offers snacks and wi-fi, making it an ideal place to work, socialize, detox or simply read a nice book.
The cafe has taken the initiative to support Spokane’s own bookworm community, being a place where local authors are invited to attend the bookstore as hosts, along with having their own work being stocked.
“We have been so honored to host local authors for signings and readings,” said Morgan Lynch, the cafe’s owner.
Of course, there is space too for customers to host their own gatherings. “We also have a large round table that seats six to eight that is open to reserve,” she said. “People have reserved it for book clubs, D&D sessions, birthday parties, crochet clubs, you name it!”
But the benefits of such an environment go deeper than that. Lynch says reading itself is an opportunity where one can grow and develop their character. “The characters and stories inside of these books are invaluable tools to learn who you want to be […] fiction is a vital piece of the puzzle for a young person to experience the world and to envision who they want to be in it,” she said.
Lynch is a Spokane native, having switched from a graphic design job to becoming the boss of her very own bookstore. “I opened Jupiter’s Eye Book Cafe because I wanted to build the sort of place I would want to go [to],” she said. “I wanted to add my personal perspective and passions to a city I love.”
Reading has always been her passion, with some of her favorite authors being Agatha Christie, Italio Calvino, Neil Stephenson and R. A. Salvatore. “[I] have been really enjoying finding new favorites like Travis Baldree, Becky Chambers, and Richard Osman,” she added.
As of now, the bookstore is enjoying a good deal of success, seeing “incredible reception.” With the help of a business advisor from the Washington Small Business Development Center, along with getting creative input from the community, her employees and her “creative instinct,” Lynch feels that the store has a promising future. “Spokane is such a bookish little town and we’ve been so incredibly lucky to have found and to continue to find our people,” she said.
Lynch feels fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the city in a way she finds meaningful and fun. As such, she hopes that she can do this job “forever.”
“My favorite thing is to walk through the space and see so many people enjoying a book and a beverage,” she said. “It’s literally a dream come true.”
If you are interested in visiting Jupiter’s Eye Book Cafe, the address is 411 W. 1st Ave. Suite 101, Spokane, WA 99201. Their website can be found here: https://www.jupiterseyebookcafe.com/
