OUR TEAM

Dr. Kristin Tardif is the owner of Bookish Fort Smith. In addition, she is Professor and Lead Faculty for the Organizational Leadership program at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, a published author, and was formerly an executive with Nestlé Foods. Always being an avid reader herself, when the opportunity arose, Dr. Tardif purchased Bookish and started a new chapter in her life, no pun intended. Her heritage is Swedish, and she has woven two meaningful symbols and customs from Sweden into our bookstore’s culture. The first is the Dala Horse, which stands for hospitality. The second is the tradition of Fika, a time to enjoy coffee or tea with sweets. Fika is cherished as a moment of rest with friends, acquaintances, or even new faces. It is a pause for relaxation and connection, and is offered at Bookish every Friday afternoon. Dr. Tardif’s primary mission for Bookish is to be a curated bookstore, offering a thoughtfully selected collection of books rather than focusing on mass-market, high-volume inventory. But most importantly, prioritizing Bookish Fort Smith as a welcoming space where everyone can experience the warmth and wisdom that books provide.