This was my third stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour. This store is such a delight, as all…read moreof the books are exclusively part of the mystery/thriller/crime genre, which is my favorite to read! I've been here before, but this was the first time I checked out the annex portion of the store, which houses used books. If you are seeking a mystery book, this is the place to go as they've got it all. The prices of the used books were higher than I would have expected (nearly $14 for a used hardcover), but the selection makes it worth it. I liked the cute seating area in the annex a lot it looked very comfy. There is street parking near the store, but it's on a very busy street. That busy street made it feel like I was part of the video game Frogger trying to get back into traffic after parking!

Great spot for a Mystery fan. Love love love this store…read more I've always walked past and seen the sign and decided to stop in today. It's an unassuming looking store from the outside but once inside. You can tell they have a solid selection. It was filled top to bottom with shelves. They also take Apple Pay which is nice! There's another room called the Annex. You can ask to see. They will take you through a door down a hallways and into the room. Here you can find first editions of mystery books. Or even books written as far back as the 40s! Solid store. Decent prices! They also gave a book club which meets on certain days. Check it out

This was my 11th stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour. The book selection included all genres,…read moreand the quality of the content seemed high to me. There were some cute bookish gifts. There were ample seating areas for looking at books before purchase, which is always important to me. The staff were friendly. There was street parking.

My husband and I stopped in here on a Wednesday mid-morning. There was one other person in the…read moreshop, and we were greeted by the lady working. We liked the selection of books and gifts available. They have a nice selection of children's books, for both young and old. For adults, they have classics and contemporary, fiction and non, cooking, history, etc. Plus, a clearance section! I was really intrigued by the gifts - candles that went with certain books, like, Dune, possibly Lord of the Rings (I can't remember), and they also had puzzles that were book themed. I would definitely come back, likely to get a few puzzles for my puzzle loving family, and to see what books the staff is currently recommending.

This was my 8th stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour, and it is close to Macalester. I was…read moreimpressed with the book selection; they seemed to have a little bit of all genres. There was an abundance of local authors featured throughout the store. I liked the bookish events offered, including silent reading club. The staff were warm and welcoming, and they checked in as I was browsing, asking if I needed help. There is street parking, and a public parking lot around the corner from the store.

Lovely bookstore with great selection of fiction, nonfiction and international topics. They also…read morehave a section for local authors. The shop is beautiful and staffs are very friendly. I got some travel and nonfiction books :)

A cute independent bookstore nestled in the heart of Victoria, MN!…read more This was my first stop on the 2024 Indie Bookstore Passport and it was a great way to start the day! Victoria is a cute little town and Chapter One is a lovely addition. There is a large section for younger readers and the adult section has many of the newest popular reads. The service was friendly and welcoming, making this a great stop if you're looking for a friendly bookstore!

The cutest bookstore I've ever been to! Great book selection, great book related gifts, and great…read morevibes. i highly recommend checking this place out! Thank you for a great experience :)

He Said: For anyone who has ever watched the movie "You've…read moreGot Mail", you will know what I mean when I say this book store reminds me of that movie. I am very happy this Linden Hills store has been handed down to the next generation. Very few book stores have the intimacy and charm of Wild Rumpus. Have a young child or relatives? Check this place out! Make sure to say hi to the book store animals! Pros: - Neighborhood feel - Animals - Wide selection of kid books

One of my favorite spots!! I love taking anyone who is visiting here, especially kiddos. This…read morebookstore is pure magic, for kids - and adults too. Most known for their animals in-store, this is a visit to a bookstore that includes meeting the cat, birds, chinchillas, and other animals that call Wild Rumpus home. It's so much fun to see and read about them. There's even fish in the mirror of the bathroom! If that didn't sell you, the ambiance beyond animals here is amazing. There's murals all over - including on the ceiling. There's a house-type structure in the back. There's chairs to cozy up and read in. It's like walking into a children's book. And what about the books?! So many books! Mostly children and YA books, but they have a substantial wall section for adults too. Everything from manga to local authors here. Prices are reasonable and service is always so welcoming and friendly. Can't recommend this place enough - whether you're shopping for a kid, bringing one along, or want to feel like a kid again yourself.

Comma is a retail bookstore in Minneapolis occupying a footprint of, I don't know, maybe 800 square…read morefeet. While the local narrative often emphasizes the importance of supporting independent shops, my recent visit suggests that this ideal may come at a significant cost to the consumer in terms of utility, comfort, and value. Logistics and Facilities The physical experience of visiting Comma is just abrasive. Parking in the immediate vicinity is difficult, which sets a frustrating tone before one even enters the building. Once inside, the limitations of the tiny floorspace become apparent. The selection is, by necessity, terribly limited. If you are searching for a specific title or a deep dive into a particular genre, this is statistically the last place you should look. Furthermore, the store offers no public restroom, a lack of basic facility that limits the duration and comfort of any visit. Atmosphere and Price The retail environment lacks any auditory masking. There is no background music, resulting in a deafening silence that feels more awkward than contemplative. Every book in the inventory is sold at full retail price. This raises a fundamental question regarding the "buy local" movement: what is the point of a business that offers less selection and higher prices than its competitors? We often speak of a duty to support small bookstores, but we must ask if that duty outweighs the consumer's right to find what they need at a competitive price. Service and Philosophy During my visit, I purchased several books at full price, yet the employee on duty was rude. This interaction highlights the core issue: a business is a business, regardless of its size. If a shop cannot provide a pleasant environment, a robust inventory, or even basic courtesy, its status as "local" should not exempt it from criticism. Conclusion The romanticized ideal of the small neighborhood bookstore needs to be re-examined when the reality is a lack of selection and poor service. I am officially putting a "comma" on my support of this specific model of local commerce. I spent my money here this time, but I will not be returning to this particular business. Ever. Consider that a "period." For those who prioritize finding the books they actually want without unnecessary hurdles, there are better options available.

Lovely little bookshop with an impeccable vibe--wish I lived nearby to check out the many book…read moreclubs! The collection is small but representative, and they have a fun collection of cards, stickers, and other merch. Also just a nice place to be--everyone who came in seemed friendly and thoughtful and got excellent, individualized service.

When I think of used book shops, Dustjacket Books is exactly the kind of shop that comes to mind…read more It's small, and wooden shelves support thousands and thousands of books, floor-to-ceiling. A friendly grey tabby (Simon) welcomed us at the door, followed shortly by the shop's owner. I love little shops like this where you have to dig a little to find treasures -- but I walked out with four books for $12, which was very reasonable. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, and I will definitely stop there again when I'm in Hastings.

What a great bookstore!! There are literally thousands and thousands of all types of books:…read morefiction, nonfiction, kids, rare and collectible, homeschooling, etc. The owner, Rick, is a genuinely nice guy. He is knowledgeable and very helpful. If he doesn't have the book you are looking for, he will order it for you. Another great thing about this bookstore is that you can trade your books for store credit. Just a warning--the store could use a little more organization. You might need to do a little digging, but then isn't that part of the charm of a used book store?

I absolutely loved this bookstore! It's such a cute, thoughtfully themed space, and every corner is…read morepacked with books to explore. I especially liked all the callouts and recommendations throughout the store.. made it a little easier to browse! One thing that really stood out was how much they seem to invest in their community. They host a variety of events and do a great job spotlighting diverse authors and stories, which made the store feel especially welcoming and intentional. Whether you're looking for your next read or just want to spend some time browsing, this is definitely worth a visit. I left already looking forward to my next trip back!

Visited Tropes & Trifles after brunch with LOVED the welcoming atmosphere as soon as we walked in…read more Their selection is broken out by type (contemporary/romantasy/dark/etc). The front has new books, upcoming author events, and upcoming community events. There were also romance bookish things to buy like a "Brunch Book Club" candle (fitting, I know!). I saw plenty of books I've read and added plenty more to my TBR. You can find notes and recommendations throughout the shelves. I thought a couple of series were in curious places, but they fit within multiple categories, so I understood in the end.