One of the places David and I visited yesterday was Troops Bookstore in Smithfield, Texas. A City close to David and I we don’t get out to enough. I wish I had knew about this amazing bookstore when I was #homeschooling Charlie because it had so many books we could have used. Including a series of Little Golden Books including Jimmey Buffet and Gilmore Girls Stars hollow and yes, I brought the books home with me..
For me personally walking into Troopâs Bookstore immediately set a different tone than most places. The lighting is soft, the shelves are thoughtfully arranged, and the entire space feels like it was designed for people to slow down instead of rush through. Nothing about the bookstore felt commercial or loud. The owners have created a bookstore that feels intentional in a quiet way, like the space is meant to be experienced rather than consumed.
What really stands out, though, is the people inside. The women running Troops Bookstore donât just greet you at the door and move on. They talk to you like you already belong there. Conversations feel natural, recommendations feel personal, and thereâs a steady sense that they actually care about who is walking through the door and what they might be looking for, even if the person doesnât quite know it yet.
One of the owners mentioned she was a homeschool mom, and I could feel that perspective woven into everything about the store, especially in the way families are welcomed and in how learning and curiosity are treated as something that belongs in everyday life rather than something separate from it.
The book selection reflects that same intention. It isnât overcrowded or random. It feels curated in a way that still leaves room for discovery. Indie authors and self-published titles sit alongside contemporary fiction, romance reads, and nostalgic books that bring people back to different seasons of their life.
I loved the children’s section which is to the right when walking inside and the presence of Little Golden Books gives the bookstore a layered feeling, like multiple generations are being quietly invited into the same space at once. The childrenâs section is especially well thought out, with board books for toddlers, early readers for kids just starting out, chapter books for those building confidence, middle grade fiction for readers growing into longer stories, and young adult books for teens who are starting to figure out what they like. It doesnât feel segmented or pressured. It just feels open. I love learning these host reading times for children and a Middle Grade; YA Book Club Charlie and Bradely might have enjoyed.
One of the more meaningful moments during the visit came unexpectedly. David, who doesnât usually read or write in a traditional way, ended up being drawn to a couple of full novels. Not simplified versions, not childrenâs books, but actual novels that caught his attention in a way that surprised even him.
That moment for me as a wife who knows her husbands struggles with reading and writing said a lot about the space itself because it wasnât treated as unusual or out of place. The staff didnât overlook David or redirect the interaction elsewhere.
They engaged with David directly, included him in conversation, and made sure he was part of what was happening without making it feel forced. or my family this created a moment of inclusion that felt completely natural, and that kind of thing doesnât happen by accident.
Troopes Bookstore also functions as more than just a place to buy books. It feels like a small, women-owned, small-based business that is deeply rooted in community rather than scale. And in a time where so much of retail is driven by chains, algorithms, and convenience over connection, places like this matter in a different way.
Supporting businesses like this isnât just about shopping localâitâs about keeping spaces alive that are built on personality, care, and real human interaction. It feels like a reminder that when people choose to support small women-owned businesses, they are also supporting the kind of environments where families are seen, readers are discovered, and community still has room to exist in a real way.
On top of that, Troopes Bookstores functions as a small community hub where independent authors are supported, homeschool families feel understood, and readers who donât usually rely on traditional book spaces can still find something that fits them.
The Bookstore is not built around algorithms or trends. Itâs built around people. There are homeschool-friendly learning opportunities, author features, community reading events, and craft classes that are more about connection and creativity than structure or pressure. Everything about the Bookstore leans toward being approachable rather than formal.
There are also small details that add to the experience without trying too hard. Cozy candles, stationery, pencil bags, and small gift items are placed throughout the store in a way that feels like an extension of the reading experience rather than a separate retail section.
One of my favorite parts of the store was the selfie wall which gives visitors a place to capture their visit, whether itâs a family moment or just a quiet memory of being there. Even the blind book concept adds something different, wrapping books so people choose based on curiosity or mood instead of judging by cover or title, which brings back a sense of discovery that most modern browsing has lost. I can’t wait to purchase a blind book for myself and my best friend.
What makes Troopâs Bookstore stand out most, though, is that it doesnât try to define who belongs there. It just is a space where people show up as they are. Whether someone is a lifelong reader, someone just browsing, a parent with kids, or someone who doesnât usually consider themselves a reader at all, thereâs no separation in how theyâre treated. It feels open without trying to advertise that openness, and thatâs rare.
In the end, Troopâs Bookstore isnât just a stop in Smithfield. Itâs the kind of place that stays with you after you leave, not because it tries to impress you, but because it quietly makes space for you while youâre there.
Building community one book at a time!
đ7801 Brandi Pl Suite K , North Richland Hills, TX, United States, Texas
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
