Excelsior Bay Books is a nice stop for a day by the lake!…read more There was a good selection of new books, many of which were geared towards younger readers. The space was small but light and open. It was wonderful looking out onto the lake at the end of the street. The best part was the adorable bookshop poodle! Stop by for a lakeside view, some books, and a cute pup!

Really pleased with this independent bookstore right off the lake. I was visiting family from LA,…read morewhere hip bookstores abound. I was surprised by the wonderful selection, although there is more of an emphasis on YA and children's novels than what I'm used to. Ended up grabbing "So Much For That Winter," a book of novellas by Dorthe Nors. What struck me more than the book was the friendliness of the shop owners, a husband and wife duo. As more people stopped by, it was clear that there were many regulars. Both owners gave recommendations and welcomed people by name. Even as I was checking out, I was charmed that they wrote purchased books down on pen and paper. A true mom and pop bookstore. I hope to return the next time I'm in town - please support small businesses so gems like this can continue to make communities better!

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 actually purchased a book from them through Abe Books online. The book I received was better than…read moredescribed, packaged well and mailed within 24 hours. and a very good value for such an older book.

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 :)

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.

Get ready for used books at Paperback Exchange!…read more When you first walk in, the piles of used books are a tad overwhelming, but it also lets you know where to spend a few hours book-hunting. The small space is filled to the brim with books of all varieties and all conditions! The girl working the counter was friendly and helpful. She also let us know about the discount/credit customers receive when they sell books to the store. When looking for cheap used books or trying to get rid of books you no longer need, Paperback Exchange is a great place to try!

This place has no books whatsoever. Just kidding! You walk in and there's a "Woah!" moment because…read morethere are so many books vying for your attention. The selection is a little heavy on the romance, but my mom took plenty of those off their hands. Don't worry though, there is plenty more to search through and it's very well organized. Organization is key with these kind of stores or it's just too overwhelming. Helpful staff, street parking, great selection. The pricing is a little confusing on trade-in stuff, and the prices in general are a little high for used books, but that won't stop me from coming back. It's in a great neighborhood with a coffee shop right next door. Grab a book and then go grab some coffee. Perfect.

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

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.