BY KADIE VICK
FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Is there a piece of your social life missing? You might find it at one of Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers’ puzzle competitions.
“You can always go to dinner, and you can always go see a movie, but being able to come together and do something fun, like a puzzle, and you’re racing against other people is fun,” said Mari Wilkes, who manages the store located at 149 E. Magnolia Ave. in downtown Auburn.
The first puzzle night was held two days before Valentine’s Day as a fun option for couples and friends to come together, enjoy a pink puzzle and specialty drinks. The next puzzle event is on Wednesday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. The entry fee is $50 for a team of four.
Teams are given a 500-piece puzzle that they will get to take home, and the team that finishes its puzzle first will earn prizes.
Hosting events like the puzzle competition allows Auburn Oil to welcome guests that might not know about the unique store.
“Auburn Oil has a lot to offer, but a lot of people don’t know that we’re here and a lot of people have never been in the store before — they don’t know that we also have pastries, coffee, tea and all the other fun little gift ideas,” said Wilkes. “We have great little greeting cards, tons of puzzles.
“We have a whole front display of puzzles right now, so I feel like it was a great way to get people in the door who aren’t necessarily readers but would still benefit from what we have to offer,” she said. “You come in, you have a good time, you do the puzzle and you tell your friends about it.”
Auburn Oil offers other events for the community, including the “In Conversation” series, where authors discuss their books. This month the series will include:
Friday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. — In Conversation with Chris Garner, who will discuss his book, Whistles & Wisdom: Lessons on Life & Leadership from an SEC Official.
Monday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. — In Conversation with Dan Albergotti, who will discuss his latest book of contemporary poetry, CANDY.
Thursday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. — In Conversation with Emily Carpenter, who will discuss her latest horror novel, Gothictown, which is currently in development for a television adaptation with AMC network.
Other Auburn Oil Co. events this month include Page Pairings, a book-centric wine tasting on Friday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m., and Books Over Drinks with author Patti Callahan Henry on Tuesday, April 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. The store will close out the month with Teacher Happy Hour on Tuesday, April 29, from 4 to 6 p.m., when those with a teacher ID will receive a free beverage, a 15% discount on purchases and special giveaways.
“A bookstore is just a happy place,” Wilkes said. “No one can walk into a bookstore and not be happy, especially if they sell coffee. As an employee, I remember the first day I walked in, and it was like, coffee and books are now my life. I can get on board with this. I can do this. It’s just happy.”
Keep up with all the fun happenings at the website www.auburnoilbooksellers.com.
