Morgenstern Books & Café features a variety of displays crafted by employees throughout the seasons. This fall, the store is highlighting the television show “Gilmore girls” with themed mugs, sweatshirts, candles and books.
Premiering in October 2000, "Gilmore girls" is a comedy-drama based in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. The show follows single mother Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), as they grow together and face the challenges of life with academic expectations, romantic relationships and strained relationships with family.
Despite the show premiering 24 years ago, it remains a fan favorite. With its cozy, small town setting and warm visual aesthetic, “Gilmore girls” is often a classic in the fall.
The collection sits in the front display in the bookstore. It features five different candles with themed moments from the show, such as a Stars Hallow candle, Chilton Prep candle and Sookie’s kitchen candle. The display also has books, “Team Logan” and “Read-a-thon Champ” coffee mugs and Chilton Prep School and Stars Hollow sweatshirts inspired by the show.
“Gilmore girls” themed cookbooks and related books, selected by employees, accompany the merchandise on the table. One book in the collection, “The Pumpkin Spice Café,” is even written by an author with the last name of Gilmore.
The whole team at Morgenstern Books works together to set up tables reflecting the seasons and monthly events. The “Gilmore girls” theme is set up for the beginning of the fall season until mid-October.
“The aesthetic of it all — I think it gets people excited, right?” employee Annie Shields said. “It’s a good, like, branch into the start of winter and deep fall.”
The display has resonated with the Bloomington community. Employee Stacy Parks described customers as having a “twinkle in their eye” when they recognize the show’s collection in the store.
“You can see the smile forming on their face when they come in,” Parks said.
IU senior Lynne Alkobi posted a TikTok video showing the “Gilmore girls” collection at Morgenstern Books after it caught her eye while she was there with her best friend who also watches the show.
“‘Gilmore girls’ is like my favorite fall comfort show. Every single year around the same time, I start rewatching it. I’m currently rewatching it right now,” Alkobi said. “I walked in and saw the collection, and we were obsessed.”
As well as “Gilmore girls,” Morgenstern Books features other collections depending on the seasons and events. Currently, it also has displays dedicated to banned books and Hispanic Heritage Month.
The cafe is also contributing to the fall aesthetic by featuring September specials, including matcha, flavored lattes and teas on the menu.
Celia Parker, an employee who has worked at Morgenstern Books for almost three years, said the “big foot,” a latte with maple and toasted marshmallow, has been a popular drink order this month.
Parker said she enjoys looking out the window and watching the trees change color as she works at the cafe.
“I think it’s just the whole vibe of just like being in a cafe in the fall,” Parker said. “Like being able to come in — in like your sweater and with your coffee.”
After the “Gilmore girls” display is retired, Morgenstern plans to decorate for the winter season with cozy mystery displays and Christmas-themed collections.
