Trystyn Miller
Life Editor
Downtown Pocatello has always been one of (if not the most) atmospheric places in town – home to antique stores, restaurants, and multiple bookstores. Main Street is the location of one of the longest-lasting bookstores in Pocatello, the Walrus and Carpenter Books. Opening its doors in 1988, Walrus and Carpenter is home to thousands of books, a maze of shelves, and a peaceful atmosphere; when you walk in, you can expect to be greeted by the owner, Will Peterson.
Like many people, Peterson fell into his career, “Looking for a job was such a pain, and I had some money from my previous job. I came to town to check it out, and I remember going into the Round Up Room, which was a bar that was here back then. I went in and talked to the barmaid, and she told me opening a bookstore was a bad idea. I thanked her, and [I] walked across the street and saw there was a building for rent. Long story short, I got a good deal for the building, and that was about all of my research.” Peterson told me that Walrus and Carpenter was not always located where it is today; the store first opened its doors just down the street from its current location at 251 N Main St. Peterson explained to me that the bookstore moved into its current location back in 2003, and he has been there ever since.
Though many aspects of the job are enjoyable, when I asked Peterson what he loves about his career, he said, “I have an unlimited book budget, and I get to talk to cool people all day. I also get to read all day. I am constantly scouting books and buying books for people.” Peterson gets his stock from all over, whether through donations or trades. Peterson keeps his bookshelves stuffed year-round. One of the most identifying aspects of this bookstore is its maze of bookshelves, all packed to the brim. Patrons of the bookstore are all too familiar with Peterson’s ability to navigate the shelves, “Three or four bookshelves will have the same books. There are sections that are chaos, but for the most part, I can normally find what people are looking for.” Walrus and Carpenter is a survivalist and has stood the test of time thus far. “I have driven out several bookstores in my career due to superior service, friendly atmosphere, and inventory control. There were a few other bookstores when we first opened. Since then, there have been a few others that have opened within the last few years. Honestly, I am always happy to come in here and hang out. It takes a long time to build up a business. Now, [Walrus and Carpenter] is famous. People come into Pocatello just to come to the store.”
Peterson expressed his happiness for the new bookstores in town, claiming, “The more bookstores, the better.” That is a sentiment that a lot of Pocatello natives can relate to. Additionally, one of the greatest things about downtown is the diversity it attracts. “There are all kinds of people walking around here. It is fun to be in a place like this. You can come down and hang out.”
Another aspect of the bookstore that sets it apart from the others is one rule: no phones allowed. Peterson explained this rule to me a little bit more: “I hate [it] when I go into a restaurant and you hear people on their phones. If that happens to me, I will get up and move…or leave. Phones ruin the experience. Though, I have become more flexible with the rule, and you will see signs that express the minute limit. A lot of people come in here and go into a dream world and relax, and phones just hinder that.”
Much like other bookstores, there is a sort of magic to Walrus and Carpenter. When you walk in, take a minute to appreciate the calming qualities of the store, breathe in the smell of old books, and make sure to leave your phone in the car.
