Such a gem! I recently stayed in downtown Minneapolis for a work trip and I always check for…read morebookstores in the area whenever I travel. I was so excited to learn of a black woman owned indie bookstore just a short walk from my hotel! Located in the Skyway, you can access via the Skyway or the street. It can be tricky to find using Google/Apple Maps from inside the Skyway. The app doesn't get a good signal inside, so it's easier to find from the street if you're unfamiliar with the Skyway. I got lost and asked the security guards in the mall for directions and they told me that all the bookstores downtown closed after the pandemic. I'm so glad I didn't listen to them and set off outside to find my way. Once I arrived after a 5 minute walk from the Marquette Hotel, I was in a book lovers dream! The bookstore is filled with an array of inventory, including local books, classics, new releases, children & teen books, accessories like bookmarks and stickers and even things for the home like candles and sage bundles. The owner, Miss Mary is just delightful. She introduced herself and we chatted for a while and let me know she was available if I needed help, I also noticed that she gave me space to browse freely and take in everything the store had to offer. If you are local, or visiting the area, please do yourself a favor and stop in to check out Strive Bookstore. We need to support our indie bookstores now more than ever!

Ashamed to say that I paid this store my first visit this past week especially with how long…read morethey've been open. I needed to escape my home and walked downtown. Popped in here for a totally unplanned visit and if they weren't closing in an hour it would have been really hard for me to leave. What a comforting corner in what can sometimes be gloomy downtown Minneapolis. Solid book collection. Found out they host book clubs and you can even start your own and host it there. There's tons of comfy seating. Bonus points that it's black owned! Will be back!

I visit Minneapolis regularly from the East Coast, and a visit that doesn't include Moon Palace is…read morea substandard visit. Any new book that I hear about and want to buy, they invariably have in stock, alongside a wonderful selection of titles I may not have realized existed. They're the kind of place that gets me excited about the world, even if they also remind me there will never be enough time to read everything I want to. I've been to a ton of independent bookstores in the Twin Cities, and Moon Palace is the best. Heck, I've been to a ton of bookstores in a lot of cities, and if Moon Palace isn't the best anywhere, I can't think of one better right now.

I think Moon Palace books is an awesome bookstore! They have a lot of difference genres and books…read morefor all ages. The staff are very friendly and they also have a small restaurant/cafe in the back! The book prices sometimes feel a little more expensive than other book stores. This shop is also awesome in that they are very inclusive of all types of people from difference backgrounds and they are very openly advocates for many important causes!

This is an awesome used book store! The prices are very reasonable and the staff is very nice and…read morehelpful. They have a large selection of books as well. I also love that they have a great kids section when is fun! My biggest complaint is that their hours are tough and I feel like a lot of times I drive by they aren't open. Tough to pin down, but an awesome spot for good books!

What a great used book store! Found a very nice hardcover for a very reasonable amount. Cute…read morestickers. Great bumper stickers and buttons too.

Very cute book shop. I love how much local art/craft they have for sale. Very supportive of their…read moreneighbors and community Great place to support.

Showing my bookstore-loving mom around the city and really happy I decided to stop into this one…read more Very LGBTQ friendly and progressive atmosphere with mostly local artists and authors on display. The staff was very helpful to a few people who came in with questions but I was just there browsing. They've got a bunch of free and discounted things like pamphlets, books, art, etc. The selection isn't huge so if your aim is to support local and shop a curated, third-space collection you'll love it here.

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.

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.

Massive selection, bought a 100 year old HG Wells book! Good prices too. Nice owners.read more

A great place to get lost in for a few hours. There is an overwhelming selection roughly…read morecategorized by genre. Books ranging in price from $25 - $many thousands.

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.