Page 11 - Dresden Buzz 11/14/2025

NOVEMBER 14 - 27, 2025 MUSKINGUM COUNTY HOLIDAY GUIDE | PAGE 11
Slack’s Book Barn provides a destination for book lovers

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ

When it comes to specific authors, “And I think that’s why I get along with
some that they are always on the look- so many of the kids because as soon as
out for include Stephen King, James Pat- they come in and I learn their names,
terson, and Michael Connelly, to name a then I talk to them like they’re on their
few. level, not above them or anything.”
While tending to the Book Barn, Tina “I’ll tell my story about my little guy.
likes to work on book folding, creating He and his grandma started coming in
artwork from used “unsellable” books. here when he was like a year and a half
These make perfect gifts for anyone old. Well, he took ownership. This is his
who loves to read. She can take ideas bookstore. So he became like three,
from customers and turn them into an four. He’s in school now. He’s almost
image that can be folded into the pages. six. So three or four, everyone he would
She has made one for Buckeye’s fans, meet for the first time, he’d say, ‘Have
sports, and holiday-themed designs, you been to my bookstore?'” Tina ex-
animals, as well as intricate hearts and plained.
the tree of life. Prices range from $35 Slack’s Book Barn can be reached by
to a simpler design up to $125 for more calling 740-297-7133. They are open
intricate folds. Monday through Saturday from 10:00
“This is the kind of place where you to 5:00 p.m. Follow them on Facebook
can come and find something you nev- for updates, new products, and changes
er knew you needed, never knew you to store hours.
wanted,” David said. “Browsing’s
become something you swipe right
on. … “The surprise, the being able
to just walk around and look and
touch. I think people miss that.”
Gift certificates for any amount
Tina and David Slack owners of Slack's Book Barn in Zanesville. Lynette Dotson
are offered and are a great idea
There are shops and then there are likely has it! for a reader on your list. They also
destinations; Slack’s Book Barn is the In addition to thousands of non-fiction make great stocking stuffers for
latter. It’s a destination worthy of a long titles, the first floor has a dedicated chil- kids and teens!
drive, but thankfully for those living in dren’s section. “If your wife’s a reader and
Muskingum County, you can convenient- Although most of the store is dedicat- you don’t know what to buy
ly visit often, as the Book Barn is cen- ed to providing great deals to customers her, this is the place to come.
trally located downtown at 1124 Wayne by offering $3.00 for small paperbacks, Come and get a gift certificate
Ave., Zanesville. $4.00 for large paperbacks, and $5.00 and give it to her. It solves a lot
The Book Barn is owned by David and for hardback books (unless otherwise of problems for a lot of guys,”
Tina Slack. They started the business in marked), some rare books can also be David added.
2020 after combining David’s experi- found and are priced individually. One of the things that Tina
ence of previously owning a bookstore, A small selection of comic books is likes the most about run-
Tina’s former retail expertise, and their also available. They are marked $2.50 ning the bookstore is the
combined interest in books and reading. each, and graphic novels are $5.00. interactions with customers
“It’s like a semi-retirement kind of Slack’s Book Barn uses the tagline, and friendships that have
thing. Why don’t we start a business so ‘Where all our books come from our cus- formed through meeting
we can stay together and do stuff to- tomers.” Books, especially fantasy and new people.
gether? So I said, ‘Well, I used to have a sci-fi titles, are in high demand and are “We’ve got some
bookstore.’ And she said, ‘I used to want always something David and Tina look older people, I think
to be a librarian.'” for. they come in just
Slack’s Book Barn has a massive se- “We’ve got a lot of mystery because to talk sometimes.
lection of over 60,000 used titles span- mystery readers, they read their story They buy a book and
ning all genres, including mystery, hor- and then they bring us the book and stand and talk for
ror, western, romance, science fiction, then they get another book and they a while. I mean, it’s
fantasy, and more! Local history, clas- don’t. But fantasy and sci-fi people col- nice for all of us. Not
sics can also be found, as well as an lect books,” explained David. “So we’re just him and I, but
entire upstairs dedicated to non-fiction, always looking for really good stuff from for them also,” said
ranging from nutrition and cookbooks, there.” Tina. “I always bring
religious books, biographies, autobiog- For non-fiction, the Slacks are looking smiles to people’s fac-
raphies, history, children’s educational for good History titles, especially local es when I talk to them
books, books on automobiles and trans- history books, early American history, personally. When I rec-
portation, you name it, the Book Barn etc. ognize them, too. …

Christmas all year long!

7405 East Pike, Norwich | (740) 923-5093 | whitepillarschristmashouse.com