Relax and unwind at Books & Bubbles

“Read, sip and relax.” That’s the motto of Books & Bubbles, a family-owned business that opened earlier this year in downtown Stanton.
Located at 324 Broad Ave., Books & Bubbles is owned by Lindsey Valdez and her children, Taylor, Adrianna and Gabriel. For Valdez, opening the business in Stanton was a way to return to her roots while creating something unique for the community.
Valdez graduated from Stanton in 2005 and later served in the military. She moved her children back to the area in 2017. Her oldest child, Taylor, graduated from high school this year, her second child, Adrianna, is set to graduate next year, and her youngest, Gabriel, is currently in seventh grade.
Valdez said the idea for Books & Bubbles developed from her children’s interest in the growing dirty soda trend they were seeing on TikTok. They encouraged her to try the concept and bring it to Stanton, where she saw an opportunity to offer something different to the community.
The “bubbles” side of the business was inspired by her children, while the bookstore portion came from Valdez and her daughter’s love of reading.
Valdez explained that dirty sodas start with a traditional soda base, followed by flavored syrups and cream. Customers can mix and match flavors to create their own combinations. While the specialty drinks are one of the store’s main attractions, Books & Bubbles also offers a variety of new and used books. Customers can request books that aren’t currently in stock, and the store offers a “Blind Date with a Book” package that includes a surprise book along with various gift items.
Valdez said the surprise-book concept gives customers an opportunity to discover something they might not have chosen for themselves. The store also carries insulated cups, shirts, stickers, bookmarks and other bookish merchandise. For customers who want to recreate the dirty soda experience at home, Books & Bubbles offers to-go kits so you can take it to go and do the same dirty sodas at home.
Books & Bubbles held a soft opening in February before hosting its grand opening in March. Valdez said the grand opening was well attended and that community support has continued since the store opened.
She believes part of the appeal is the uniqueness of the business and the opportunity to give residents and visitors another reason to spend time in downtown Stanton.
Valdez said she later learned of another business in Marshalltown with a similar concept that opened around the same time. She views the concept as something different and fun for the area.
“I like the fact that the community has something else to do, something else to go look for and try,” Valdez said. “And it’s nice to have a special, unique landmark to keep bringing people to downtown Stanton.”
Books & Bubbles’ regular hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. On Aug. 24, the first day of school, the store will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. for a special back-to-school treat.
Valdez said the store’s hours are designed in part to accommodate families after school. Kids can stop in for a drink and parents can pick up a treat for them.
The store also has a selection of free board games that families can play while enjoying their drinks, giving customers another reason to stay and spend time together.
Valdez said she is particularly happy with the store’s downtown location and the way the space came together. Much of the renovation work was completed by Mickey Anderson. Valdez said the family added the back portion of the building to make preparing the drinks easier, but much of the existing character of the building was preserved.
The walls were already painted, and Valdez said she especially enjoys the exposed brick accent. The family assembled the bookshelves themselves, while Anderson allowed them to use tables and chairs that fit the atmosphere of the business.
For Valdez, one of the best parts of owning Books & Bubbles is watching customers enjoy the store. She said she enjoys helping customers find books they are looking for, watching people try new drinks and seeing the excitement surrounding the business.
Although the store does not currently offer online ordering, customers can contact Valdez through Facebook or email if they are searching for a specific book. Employees can pass along requests, and Valdez will typically try to order a new edition if the requested book isn’t available in the store.
Valdez said her own love of books was another major reason she wanted to open a bookstore. She enjoys having physical books and the look of bookshelves filled with them. In fact, she joked that opening a bookstore gave her an opportunity to have the beautiful bookshelves she doesn’t have room for at home.
Despite working another full-time job, Valdez still enjoys reading through physical books, her Kindle and audiobooks.
“Nothing beats being able to take a book off the shelf and sit and read,” she said.
Valdez encourages anyone who hasn’t visited Books & Bubbles to stop by, browse the shelves, try a specialty drink and experience the store for themselves.