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 :)

Such a cute and cozy cafe/book store. I personally would've never known it was there but my wife,…read morewho is a book nerd said we needed to stop!! It was the perfect setup, my wife and son looked at books while I had a beer. Love they are accepting of everyone and really try to support the community! Ps: they even have a community board right inside the door to help out.

What a cute space. The book store has fun items and the space is bright and cozy. There is a large…read moretable that works well for a group of 6 for crafts, games, etc. The pumpkin chili was delicious. I enjoyed the americano with homemade almond syrup. Plentiful street parking. They also have beer, kombucha, sandwiches, and a salad.

What a fun place to browse and explore. I am joining a women in tech book club so our subject…read morematter is tech books. There are so many STEM books here, it's hard to choose just one. I bought the designated book, 'AI Needs You' but also bought a cool book on the number pi, along with a pi sticker to use for a bookmark. They have lots of children's books and I chose one that can keep kids busy while traveling. Finally, I got my glasses for watching the solar eclipse. There are tech books for every age. There are also games and beautifully designed cards. I love how they are incorporating the community by hosting work from local artists and offering their space for group gatherings. I love my eReader but there is such beauty in books that just doesn't translate to digital. Definitely worth checking out. Prices are reasonable and staff was super helpful. They helped me find the perfect book on pi!

The Thinking Spot is great for the STEM and science lovers out there! Most of the books in the shop…read moreare geared toward children and adolescents, but there are a few adult selections. The owner was friendly and welcomed us into the store as we wandered in. This would be a great space for kids to read or utilize what appeared to be study rooms!

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.

The staff here are super friendly and helpful. It was my second stop on the Indie Bookstore…read morePassport Tour. I loved the location of the store; there were tons of cute shops to poke in and check out in the area. I found the book club offerings here interesting as well. The book selection included a good mix of nonfiction, fiction, and new releases. There was one lone chair if you wanted to sit and look at a book before purchasing.

Loved this cozy and unique bookstore. I also appreciated the history behind the buildings previous…read moretenant, the phone company. Great photos of he switchboard room and operators! I could have spent hours here!!

This was my 20th stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour. It sells used and rare books. The…read morestacks here felt curated and well organized, which I appreciated. Often times a used bookstore chooses to organize in a somewhat random fashion, so their eye to detail and curation is welcomed. The wood tones and lighting here were cozy. There is street parking available.

I was out walking today when I noticed this little bookstore and decided to step inside. It's a…read morenice size not as large as some independent bookstores but the selection is excellent. There were so many books I wanted to take home. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. She asked what I was looking for and made me feel completely at ease. I ended up buying one of my favorites, Children of the World. I believe this is a newer edition, which made me like the store even more. It's a lovely bookstore with a strong mix of fiction, non-fiction, and international titles. I really enjoyed my visit and plan to come back again.

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.

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.

Oh such fun we'll have . . You'll see! For a fun romp through an exceptional book store, be sure to…read moretravel to Linden Hills! Books for every level, promotions and donation options for kids needing books, live animals who reside in the store and great art, even on the ceiling! Happy employees keep everyone satisfied and the value is immeasurable!

This was the 15th stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour. I was so surprised by this store. It…read morewas larger and better stocked (approximately 9,000 books) than I expected. It was a little hard to find; even with GPS prompting me that I'd arrived at my destination. I had to double check the address and hunt and peck to find the store. As a result, I really think they could improve their signage. But that aside, I loved everything else about the store. They had comfy seating to curl up with a book for a spell. The selection of books across all genres was top notch. Parking was on the street only, and with road construction, it was a bit of pain. Despite all that, this is relatively close to me, and I can see making a return visit. In looking at their event and bookclub page, they have some great options.

I attended a book reading/signing here back in October - and what an adorable, locally owned…read morebookshop! The bookstore feels like something out of Diagon Alley in Harry Potter - stuffed to the rafters with colorful, exciting wares. The owner, Sue, was SO kind and made us feel so welcome.

Love independent book stores, so no surprise I found this spot quaint and refreshing. The building…read moreit's located in is over hundred years old and you can feel it in the low ceilings and incredible library ladders and stairs. The store is deep and keeps going too the further you explore inward. An impressive selection of topics are available. It's an old bookstore but it's got contemporary finds. I was especially pleased with their LGBTQ+ and gender studies sections-- I could read forever and never get through all the books they had! Prices seem to be reliably a hair off MSRP, which is nice considering today's economy. It can be expensive to stay educated! The employees were all quite friendly and eager to assist in helping me find what I was looking for. They also have things like puzzles, journals, planners, calendars, greeting cards, stickers, postcards, and more, along with their own merch of T-shirts, sweatshirts, book bags, mugs, etc.

I'm a professional author so I'm passionate about local bookstores. I've been coming here a few…read moreyears. I don't know why it has taken me so long to review, but this is my favorite place in the Twin Cities to buy books. I used to live uptown and now live pretty far away, but I still make the journey here. As other reviewers have noted, it's bigger than it looks. A grower not a show-er. A clown car of books. I have sold books here and also bought used books here, which I love, because that's the only way I can afford to read as much as I want. A library card only gets you so far when you're on a crazy long waitlist for a new release. So far, I've never not been able to find what I want here. Staff is very helpful. They have a nice little children's section too. I always try to give books as a gift to kids. And I love that they give free bookmarks at checkout, because I like to read multiple books at a time.

Love Black Garnet! A great variety of curated books of all genres spotlighting BIPOC authors. We've…read moremade a few orders for books that weren't available in store and those have come in pretty quickly. Prices are comparable to the big box stores and you get to support a local business. Booksellers are always helpful and friendly. Loved going to the book club meetings- hoping to go more in the new year.

What a cute and perfect little gem in St. Paul! Offering a huge variety of books from lots of…read moredifferent authors, and tons of gifts, toys, and kids' options! Check it out when you are in the neighborhood!