The Twig Bookstore
The Twig Bookstore originally opened in 1972 at the Quadrangle Mall, located on Broadway, north of Loop 410, in San Antonio, Texas. The goal was to provide more than just textbooks to people of all ages and to serve as a place where they could come together and share their stories and lives. The Twig Bookstore has exceeded its original goal.
Event Coordinator Jeanne E. Mierswig Bookstore, as a small bookstore with a big heart. “We have a wide variety of books that make it possible for just about anyone to find something to love, especially those looking for books on San Antonio, the Hill Country, and Texas as a whole.” They host local authors every week, and on weekends, offer a “Sit & Sign” event where customers can interact intimately with authors and booksellers.
“People always say having a sense of humor is important, but I had no idea how important until my 
attempt at humor landed me my dream job here at The Twig,” said Jeanne. “I submitted my resume and cover letter on a whim one day, and within a week, I was on board, and I have been loving it ever since. My manager said the cover letter made her laugh out loud, and she just had to meet the author; the fact that I had an MBA and relevant experience with event planning was a bonus. My whim turned out to be fate, as I absolutely love my job and can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
Their desire to showcase local and regional talent sets The Twig apart from other bookstores; however, their reach extends beyond Texas.
“We serve a national clientele by going out of our way to have something for everyone and being able to ship within the contiguous United States,” says Jeanne. People can order online, over the phone, or in person and have their purchase shipped to them or to someone else, even wrapped if they prefer. When national and international conferences come to town, they provide books for featured authors.
The Twig Bookstore, is where you’ll discover a culture of love and belonging.
“I love the customers even more than what we sell, but most of all I love the women I work with daily,” explains Jeanne. “For a group of women to all get along so well is such a delight, and we all make the effort to be more than just co-workers. Customers can tell when people don’t get along, but that is never an issue here at The Twig. We each bring our reading passions and organizational skills to combine for a winning effort.
“I absolutely love the wide variety of customers that come in looking for advice on what to read next…and being willing to take that advice. All the staff recommend books from different genres, and we each have our own niche. Customers come in from all over the world, as San Antonio is a major travel destination, and we enjoy talking with them about what to do when they are here and learning from them about their travels. Each day is a different day because of our customers.”
The Twig Bookstore takes author relations very seriously. From the moment of inquiry to the final check being sent out for book sales, each author is treated with dignity and respect, whether they are award-winning and on a national tour or a first-time author with a small book of poetry. As Events Coordinator, Jeanne guides them through the process and ensures that all expectations are not only met but also exceeded.
But The Twig is not just for readers.
Local artists sell their products there, and poets participate in open mic nights that they co-host with their next-door neighbor, Bakery Lorraine. Indie Bestsellers are highlighted, as well as other hot off the press titles, with an emphasis on local and regional authors of all genres.
“We have Storytime with Miss Anastasia (a favorite for over 25 years!), book readings, poetry readings, author sit & signs,” says Jeanne. “Once in a Wild time brings in live animals, Zumbini (zumba for babies) with Laura, sidewalk sales, Banned Book Events, Independent Bookstore Day, Teacher Appreciation events, Where’s Waldo, summer reading programs, and more.”
What started as a branch of a college textbook store has turned into a nationally recognized venue for local and regional authors, best sellers on their literary tours, local artists, little Twiglets who stop by each Friday for Storytime with Miss Anastasia and shoppers from around the world, not to mention the go-to bookstore for local universities looking for a bookstore to partner with at their events throughout the year.
The Twig Bookstore has been in four different locations since its inception in 1972 and was purchased in 1999 by John Douglas, passing on to Frannie Douglas in 2014. Miss Frannie (89) still stops by at least once a week to make sure things are running smoothly…and do a little shopping.
“San Antonio is such an eclectic city,” says Jeanne. “The clientele is a direct reflection of that, whether the people coming in are local or visitors from around the country or around the globe. Everyone is welcome at The Twig, and the staff goes out of their way to provide a welcoming atmosphere to all. It is the staff, more than anything else, that makes us unique. We each have a different story and bring something special to each day.”
Insight and images courtesy of Jeanne E. Miers, Events Coordinator, The Twig Book Shop @ The Historic Pearl Brewery
