The Writer's Block

The Writer's Block is an independent bookstore at 519 S 6th St, Suite 100, in downtown Las Vegas, zip code 89101, and it doubles as one of the city's steadiest sources of literary programming for kids. The directory lists it for ages 0 to 18, which is the directory's default range rather than a store policy, but the actual program lineup maps cleanly onto childhood: story time for the youngest visitors, a graphic novel book club, a middle grade book club for the 8 to 12 crowd, a teen book club, and a young writers workshop for kids who want to produce stories rather than just read them.

That last one is the rarity. Plenty of libraries run story time; a workshop where young writers develop their own work under a bookstore's roof is harder to find in this valley, and it gives the store a clear niche for bookish kids who have outgrown read-alouds.

The space itself is a bookstore with a community event space, so programs happen where the books are, and a visit for a book club can end with browsing. Hours are long for a downtown retailer: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Thursday and 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Friday through Sunday, open seven days year-round. Weekend evening hours make this a workable stop after dinner downtown.

The listing does not include pricing for the programs. Bookstore events are often free with an encouraged purchase, but that is a pattern in the trade, not something this listing states, so confirm whether the book clubs or the young writers workshop carry fees or require buying the month's book. Schedules for each club, including which week the middle grade and teen clubs meet, are the other call-ahead item; reach the store at (702) 550-6399 or check thewritersblock.org.

For downtown and central Las Vegas families raising readers, this is the independent bookstore option: story time for the stroller set through a teen book club, all at one address on 6th Street.