I stop in here semi-frequently, sometimes it's just fun to look and occasionally I will trade…read morethings in - it always feels like a scam but where else would I get cash monies for all my goodies at once? Easier to sell in person versus online. Half Price is always a great place for gifts! I love that you get coupons for the year if you shop near/around black Friday too. Staff is usually pretty friendly and they seem to get along.

Timely, courteous, thorough. Good prices - and I do shop around. Does that "extra effort" search…read morewithout being asked. My first choice when I'm seeking a book or AV item , record or film.

Another great half priced books location!! Easy to sell with them as well. Just wish they had a few…read moremore chair to sit while waiting. Staff were very nice and friendly. Store had a great selection across all genres and ages.

I used to live near Maplewood over a decade ago and I completely forgot that I used to go to this…read moreHPB location. Compared to other locations, I think it is bigger and has a wide variety to choose from. Originally, I was looking to hopefully snag a cookbook, but didn't plan on finding myself a planner as well. You will find a variety of potential gifts for others or even yourself - ranging from bookmarks, planners, calendars to board games or books. Maybe this is what 40s is looking like to me, but HPB is severely underrated.

This is a great bookstore that is in an awesome location and has a coffee shop right next door!…read moreIt's a great spot to grab a book (or bring a book) and read or get work done in the lobby of the building. I will say that if you are a fan of some of the more mainstream books in the romance, sci fi, or fantasy genres like I am, then you likely won't find what you are looking for. I will say that they do have a lot of awesome books that they publish so you will definitely find some new reads to add to your collection! Overall I think that the actual store is awesome and the staff are friendly, the selection just isn't what I am typically interested in reading. Prices seemed typical of most book stores.

Milkwood Edition Books is a small bookshop located within Open Book! My friend and I stopped by to…read morevisit when were exploring downtown Minneapolis over Memorial Day. It's small but well curated (there dozens of books that caught my eye - and tons of books I'd never heard of). They sell their own books (Milkweed is a publisher) but also lots of other books/authors. Definitely stop by if you're in Open Book!

Such a cute toy shop. They had everything from trendy toys like Needoh, Legos, blind boxes, old…read moreschool toys, board games and more. They also have a nice sticker/stationary section. Really something for every age range. When I first walked in, I was the only customer there but someone came out of the back and greeted me. Very kind and nice the entire time. They do have kind of have limited hours, i'm in the area often in the evenings and it's usually closed. Glad I was able to catch it open.

The most amazing selection of Leftist books, periodicals, and journals. Everybody was very kind -…read moreit is cash only so come prepared. Fantastic prices. If you voted for Biden or Trump this place is not for you, unless you are open to alternatives to the hellscape that is the Democratic and Republican parties.

All new books, no used ones that I saw. Very small place but had parking right out front. Lots of…read morelocal and regional authors, good place to find unique books. They have a little comfy sitting area where you can curl up and decide what you want to leave with.

This was my 17th stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour. Since my favorite genre is…read moremystery/thriller, this store really appealed to me. Half of the store is mystery/thriller books and the other half is science fiction. The selection was really good, and there were large sections of used books. The organization of the store was a little chaotic, as each corner of the store had differing genres, and it didn't seem to correlate to this half of the store is mystery and the other half is sci-fi. There were a lot of boxes of books on the floor, so it felt like the place you might want to spend an hour or more treasure hunting for your next great read. The vibe in the store,and how it was organized, is "choose your own adventure". For $3 you could signup for a 90 day membership that earns a 10% discount on purchases. The staff were welcoming and helpful. I believe there is only street parking.

This bookstore is packed full of sci-fi and mystery/ horror books. They are very well organized and…read morethe front desk clerk gave me a run through of what was where when I walked in. Very friendly staff and a cute store dog. Did i expect to find anything? No. Did I walk out with arms full? Yes. They have rare books and new books that of course are priced appropriately, and well loved books. All the books I bought were better priced than other used book stores, even some thrift places.

Words is a cozy little bookstore located inside Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport. I only came in here…read morebecause: 1) I had a long layover before my flight to Dallas and I needed to kill time. 2) I noticed a sign at the front that said: Worlds Closest Bookstore... you are here. That made me laugh. Even for a small bookstore, it does have a wide selection of genres to choose from. They also sell coloring/art supplies as well as gifts like knick knacks and magnets. I got a magnet saying I love banned books, which I do. Great little place, and an excellent store if you need a book and are stuck in MSP airport.

Cute little bookshop at the airport! I was surprised at how many different titles they were able to…read morefit into the space. There's all different genres and books for all ages. I appreciated the variety and decor. I did try to strike up a conversation with the store employee twice, but it was a somewhat unfriendly encounter. A little bummed because I was seeking a book recommendation. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the bookstore was also subject to the hospitality charge so my book ended up being more expensive than anticipated and that I could find elsewhere. I might choose to purchase a book on-the-way to the airport next time instead of my usual in-the-airport tradition. I'm assuming this isn't the store's fault directly, but did impact my experience. {32}

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.