LibraryThing is pleased to sit down this month for a special interview with Stacy (Klingbeil) Mitchell, who recently opened Bold Magazine Shop in our own home town of Portland, Maine. Describing itself as a “new, modern magazine shop,” Bold offers a carefully curated collection of independent and international magazines, with an emphasis on good design and interesting content. Mitchell, who studied design herself, and who worked for a number of years as a graphic and program designer for city governments, opened Bold in November 2025.
What gave you the idea to open a magazine shop, at a time when subscriptions to print newspapers and other periodicals are on the decline? Are you going against the grain, or tapping into an interest that isn’t being satisfied elsewhere?
I’ve had the idea for a long time–I’ve always loved magazines. There were a couple of moments that made me take it more seriously. I’ve been a longtime reader of Monocle, and when they launched Konfekt, their women’s title, it felt like something was shifting. Then when i-D was revived, I had a sense of urgency. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be part of whatever was happening in print.
While subscriptions to legacy publications are declining, there’s also a new wave of independent titles emerging, and others thriving. Many of the magazines I wanted to read and hold simply weren’t available in Portland.
I also looked to a few shops for inspiration: Periodicals in Detroit, Fine Print in Dallas, Issues in Toronto, and of course, Mag Culture in London and Casa and Iconic in New York. They made it clear that there is an audience for print.
What do you look for, when deciding what kinds of magazines to offer in your shop?
I’m looking for magazines that do something really well—whether that’s writing, photography, design, or concept. That’s the baseline, but many of the titles in the shop do more than one of these things exceptionally well.
I want Bold to be a place where someone can come in for something familiar and leave with a new magazine to try. It’s not for everyone, and it can feel overwhelming at first—but curiosity is part of the experience.
Since day one, we’ve also been listening to recommendations from customers. They tell us what they’re missing or what they wish they could find, and we try to track it down. This feedback has helped us discover some really beautiful, niche titles.
We’re still very new, and I’m excited to keep learning, experimenting, and figuring out what feels most like us—and what resonates with people coming in.
You’ve described yourself as an “analog girl.” What does that mean, and how has it impacted your vision for Bold?
When social media was really taking hold, I wasn’t sure how to navigate. It’s of course important for the shop, but it’s not our priority. I’m drawn to physical experiences and things you can hold, spend time with, and return to. That mindset definitely shapes Bold from the magazines we carry to the way we think about the in-store experience.
What’s so great about magazines? Why do you love them so much, and what can they offer that other kinds of print media cannot?
Magazines feel especially meaningful now—they’re tangible, intentional, and full of possibility. You choose them; they don’t choose you. That creates a different kind of relationship than what we experience on our phones. I really believe they’re having a comeback moment.
They’re also lower-commitment than a book since you can flip through or read more deeply, depending on what you’re in the mood for. That flexibility is part of their appeal. A magazine can be something you browse, spend time with, display, or gift.
They let you go deep on a subject while still feeling accessible. There’s certainly a nostalgia factor for some, and for younger audiences, there’s a sense of discovery–a way to support someone they follow online or an artist they admire through a physical publication they can actually hold.
What are some of your own favorites, of the magazines you offer, and what makes them appealing?
Tools is one of my favorites. It’s a stunning, creative publication from Paris that explores a technique or craft in-depth. The latest issue is themed around “spinning,” from the Earth’s rotation to profiles of glassblowers, potters, and ice skaters. It’s exactly the kind of magazine I imagined people discovering here and I love that others have been just as excited about it as I am.
Pencil, published in South Portland, is another standout. It’s done entirely in graphite pencil. It’s local, creative, and approachable. It expands what people think a magazine can be, which makes it a great introduction to the exciting world of indie print media and what this store is all about.
Tell us a little bit more about your shop, as a community space. What kinds of art exhibitions and other events do you host?
The people have been by far the best part. The customer who brings in an old issue to suggest we carry it. The publisher who stops by to chat. The friend putting together a stack for someone in the hospital. The magazine aficionado making sure we have the hardest-to-find issues. The person who says, “I’ve only ever seen this online.”
These people are the reason we’ve started thinking more intentionally about events and the shop as a place where people who love print can gather and connect.
On our very first day, the former first female Director of Photography at National Geographic came in. I followed up with her, and we hosted a small conversation to celebrate photography in print. More recently, we invited an artist who works with personal photographs and fragments of fashion magazines to show her work directly on our shelves. We’re still early, but we’re excited to see what takes shape next!
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Bold Magazine Shop is located at 604 Congress St in Portland, Maine. Find their operating hours and select titles available online at boldmags.com.
