Our philosophy is simple: We're smaller than the chains and superstores, but we'll give you excellent service and go out of our way to make sure you get the books you want. We're experts in the book business - if you want a good recommendation, or are looking for a long-lost favorite childhood book, we can help you out. We're also a strong part of the Hudson community, often cooperating with the local schools and public library to plan children's programs and bring in major authors. Our roots are local, but we're moving into the future with online ordering and our website.
So, if you're in the area, stop in and browse! If not, you can order online, or just browse our recommendations, local books, and other features.
If you want to order a book online, you have two options. If you live in the Hudson/Akron area, you can just give us your phone number and we'll call you when the order arrives here at the store; or, if you'd like us to ship your order, you can call us at 800-968-2685 with your credit card information (including billing and shipping addresses). Sorry, no international orders.
We've made the ordering process as simple as possible to follow. But if something doesn't work right, or if you have any questions about the site, please e-mail us or call us (800-968-2685). We want to know if something isn't working, so we can fix it.
In 1968, Hudson resident Jean Isabel and her husband Bob founded the shop, along with a partner. At the time, The Learned Owl was only in what is now the "Children's Room", where kids' books and paperback fiction live today. When Hudson resident Rosemary Burner Jones purchased the store in the mid-70s, she expanded the bookstore into both sides of the main floor, more than doubling its size.
On October 15, 1983, Liz Murphy and Elaine Ober purchased the shop from the Burners, and Murphy became sole proprietor in 1990. This month marks her 25th year on Main Street. In the past 25 years, the shop has grown from 1500 square feet at street level with one phone, a cash register, two employees, open six days a week, to 2300 square feet (on three floors), five networked computers, four phone lines, a web page, email, a fax, 21 staff members, open seven days a week and six evenings.
Over the past 25 years, The Learned Owl has hosted hundreds of book and author events. Some of the most memorable include Jan Brett, Brian Jacques, Lady Soames (Winston Churchill's daughter), Eric Carle, and former Cleveland Indian Bob Feller. Children have been enchanted by dozens of book character appearances over the years, including the Cat in the Hat, Clifford, Curious George and the Berenstain Bears.
By changing with the times, and thanks to many very loyal customers, The Learned Owl has beaten the odds and remains a thriving business. In 1983 when Murphy bought the store, there were 35 independent bookstores in Northeast Ohio. Today fewer than five remain. When asked the secret of her success, Liz replied that you have to get involved. Liz is past president of the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce, and currently a member; past president of the Aurora chapter of the American Business Women's Association; and past president and a current member of the Great Lakes Booksellers Association. Liz was on the steering committee of Hudson's Downtown Development effort, and is currently on the board of the Merchants of Hudson.
In 1996 the Learned Owl won the Chamber of Commerce's Business Development Award. Liz was awarded the Hudson Business & Professional Women's Woman of the Year award in 2001, and in February 2004 received a Distinguished Sales & Marketing Award from SMEI (The Sales & Marketing Executive Institute of Akron).
Liz grew up in College Park, Maryland, where her father was an English professor and her mother a librarian, both at the University of Maryland. The family did not get a TV until Liz was in college, so books played a major role in her life. Despite this, the idea of owning a bookstore didn't occur to her until the opportunity presented itself 25 years ago... but now she can't imagine doing anything else.
The Learnéd Owl is a member of the American Booksellers Association and the
Great Lakes Booksellers Association.
And lastly, a few local links:
