Who would have known that Ft. Myers, Florida now has, according to a recent story in Florida Weekly by journalist Roger Williams, the “single finest bookstore in and about the state of Florida?” In fact, this new literary resource (just opened in February, 2018) could hold its own just about anywhere in America.

The place is called Everglades Fine Books. It’s an elegant store, located in an unassuming strip mall on one of the main drags in Ft. Myers. You’ll find some 6,000 titles—roughly 2,000 of them about Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean; another 1,000 titles about nautical and marine subjects; and the rest a variety of works, including literary masterpieces. A large number are rare (out-of- print or first editions you’d have trouble finding elsewhere) and in near-perfect condition (considered “fine” or “near-fine”). Many are signed by renowned authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Larry McMurtry, Thomas McGuane and others.

All the books for sale are the property of an exceptional, yet relatively unknown novelist, Brady Vogt, who spent decades building the collection. Journalist Williams writes that the collector “holds a book like a grateful paramour might hold a lover!” Voght, in fact, loves to talk to folks who love books as much as he does, so don’t hesitate to call the store (he’s usually there in the afternoons). Vogt also does book searches and appraisals—and can arrange book repairs.

For more information: evergladesfinebooks.com, 239-202-8992