You’ve Never Experienced Anything Like This Quirky Bookstore In Small Town Arizona
We think most small towns have that one person who is eccentric enough to earn the title of town legend, and Quartzsite, Arizona is no different. The town’s website bills the location as the “RV Boondocking Capital of the World,” but Quartzsite is famous for at least one other thing: the Naked Bookseller.
The owner, was passed away a few years back, was famous in these parts for coming to work naked. To be fair, he was not totally naked, and he did sometimes get a chill, prompting the need for at least a shirt... but Quartzsite's naked bookseller was famous — and so is his bookstore.
The bookstore deals in new and used reads, and accepts trades. It's loaded to the hilt with a variety of books, posters and memorabilia. But many tourists didn't always exactly go for the books.
Prior to his death, they used to stop in to meet the store's owner, Paul Winer, who celebrated his birthday every day of the year by donning his birthday suit and a single sock placed over his privates.
The store itself is a bit quirky as well. Many of the items inside the warehouse are used, but are tucked inside plastic sleeves to preserve them from the weather and dust. Cardboard cutouts of aliens and celebs stick above the shelfscape offering added eye candy.
Editor’s note: Since the original publication of this article, Mr. Winer has sadly passed away. His bookstore remains open. We’ve updated the article to be more reflective and respectful of Mr. Winer’s past presence and present absence.
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
