Local Books, a mobile independent bookstore, officially hit the road to celebrate its grand opening on March 19 with an appearance at the historic Stutz Building in Indianapolis, Indiana., during Indy Indie Book Crawl, the Hamilton County Reporter noted.
Owned by Carmel residents Ryan Fields and Charlene Cruz, who operate out of a custom-built mini truck, the bookshop's curated inventory focuses on authors and subjects native to Indiana and the broader Midwest, aiming to spotlight regional voices and foster a deeper connection to local culture.
"We wanted to create a bookstore experience that literally meets people where they are," Fields said. "By transforming a tiny Japanese mini truck into a mobile shop, we can bring the bookstore experience right to local neighborhoods, markets, and festivals."
For the spring and summer seasons, the owners plan to attend community pop-ups and festivals, as well as being available for personal gatherings and corporate events.
In an Instagram post after the grand opening, they noted: "Huge thanks to everyone that stopped by the @thestutzbuilding for @indyindiebookcrawl 2026! This was our grand opening and the entire community made us feel welcome! Watch for us at future events all around Indiana!"