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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - There is a comfy and quaint family-run business in Fort Smith where visitors are welcome to chill on the couch for an afternoon with a cup of coffee and a good book.

"It's OK to hang out," proprietor Hilary LeRoy-Gauthier said. "We try to create a space where people feel comfortable staying a while."

Book monger Hilary LeRoy-Gauthier reads a copy of Evolution's Edge: The Coming Collapse and Transformation of Our World on the comfy couch at North of 60 Books in Fort Smith. - photo courtesy of Neil Gauthier

LeRoy-Gauthier's husband, Neil Gauthier, bought North of 60 Books in late 2004 from Ib Kristensen and the late Lillian Kristensen. LeRoy-Gauthier began managing full-time a year ago, with staffing support from her mother-in-law, Margaret Gauthier.

Together, the family has transformed the 34-year-old book shop into a mini-art centre and cozy neighbourhood gathering spot.

The shop is circled by a dozen book shelves stocked with new titles relating to Arctic history, ecology and adventure tales.

Music by the likes of jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, classical cellist Han-Na-Chang or folk-pop star Feist fills the room, punctuated by the jangle of bells atop the shop's heavy wooden door whenever a customer pops in.

A couch and several chairs welcome readers or conversationalists to lounge a bit. For anyone who can't sit still, there is a diverse selection of local art to explore throughout the small, but uncluttered, retail space.

Framed photography and art cards by Jane Murray lead customers on a tour of the region's rapids, parkland, wildlife and flowers, while photographs by Carl Johnston and Tom Kohidas depict the grandeur of waterfalls, sunsets and the Northern lights.

Jewelry by local teacher Christie MacKay mixes crystal, wood and wire in fuchsia, turquoise and various shades of pink. Bruce Freund's one-of-a-kind jewelry embraces Northern materials, such as the bison horn pendant displayed in the shop this month. Tim Green's wood-turned bowls in birch and pine also manifest the beauty in nature.

The shop carries longtime artist Mike Lebine's stained glass creations and the store recently introduced works by emerging artist Melanie Jewel, whose vivid acrylic on canvas paintings bring her funky imagination to life.

Larger art by carver Gary Rasmunnsen deserves a close look. Although Rasmunnsen is based in Fort Smith, his antler, bone and stone carvings bely his years lived in the Eastern Arctic.

Betty Dixon and other craftswomen from around the region keep the shop supplied with a variety of bead work.

There are crafts from beyond the North, but none was mass-produced in far flung factories. Small, handmade art pieces from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, B.C., Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are always on hand.

"We have a lot of East Coasters here, so people like to see those items," LeRoy-Gauthier said.

More exotic wares include scarves and dresses sewn at a non-profit women's collective in India. Those items are fair trade, meaning the artisans derive a sustainable living from their labour and work under humane conditions. The coffee and tea served at North of 60 Books is fair trade, too.

Running an independent book shop in the 21st century is a challenging task, LeRoy-Gauthier said.

"We're finding it really difficult with Amazon.com and Chapters/Indigo," she said, referring to corporate online book sellers from the U.S. "We're trying to offer something extra that you wouldn't get online."

The shop is beginning to host coffee house evenings to showcase its local artists. Early last month the store helped the women's shelter organize an event to celebrate International Women's Day.

"We wanted a venue that was intimate and cozy and that would be able to highlight the artistry of women in area, and Hillary's spot was fantastic for that," said Michele McPhee of Sutherland House. "It was the coldest day of the year, and we had a great turn out. Everyone from grade schoolers to seniors were in attendance."

Malorie Rehm presented a belly dancing demonstration and Ria Coleman and Jane Dragon shared stories during the evening. Regular customer George Peterson said he appreciates the collection of Northern books the shop offers.

"In my mind, it's a book store that really has a local focus, and its been a mainstay in Fort Smith for as long as I can remember," he said. "They have a lot of books related to local history and local ecology and Northern cook books that otherwise aren't available."

LeRoy-Gauthier is planning to present live music by Hay River classical guitarist Tyler Hawkins this summer. She said she is open to other ideas for special events in the shop.