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    The Vintage Storyteller

    5.0 (1 review)

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    2 years ago

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    Strive Bookstore

    Strive Bookstore

    5.0
    (8 reviews)
    25.6 mi

    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!

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    We moved across the street to the Medical Arts Building in May 2025.
    We moved across the street to the Medical Arts Building in May 2025.
    Can't resist a sale!
    Can't resist a sale!
    Strive Bookstore

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    Comma, a bookshop

    Comma, a bookshop

    4.6
    (13 reviews)
    24.5 mi

    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.

    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.

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    Comma, a bookshop
    Comma, a bookshop
    Comma, a bookshop

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    Against the Current

    Against the Current

    4.7
    (6 reviews)
    31.0 mi

    Very well curated selection. All the other positives in the other reviews here are true!read more

    Weird and wonderful, eclectic selection of used books in a pocket-sized space. The first book that…read morecaught my eye was a book in French about China. My husband saw a book about making soymilk and a graphic introduction to Derrida directly opposite. How many bookstores can give you that kind of experience? It's the kind of store where you will find your college reading list (words of one fellow customer). Or that old cookbook that your Mom used to have. That random book your college friend told you about but you never bothered to pick up. A classic graphic novel that your art class peers recommended. You won't find everything you ever wanted to read, but there's a good chance you will find something that you didn't know you wanted to read. The store is a real community effort. One of the owner's friends happened to be there, and said that the owner had another store-full of books in his house. He had been collecting books over 15-20 years, carefully curating them for just this time. The shelves were made with brackets from a local department store that was closing. The owner's brother made the beautiful book cases on the floor. We found this place by chance looking for something to do Christmas day. In the spirit of the bookstore name, they had Jewish trivia, bagels, and mimosas. Some other people trickled in for the trivia, others did kind of float in and browse the books. We gathered around a small table toward the front and had a blast. The store was closing up soon after our trivia game ended, so I'll be back at some other time when it's warmer. A great addition to the neighborhood!

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    Against the Current
    Outside.
    Outside.
    Beaut lot of uncommon gardening books from Against the Current

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    Beaut lot of uncommon gardening books from Against the Current

    The Vintage Storyteller - bookstores - Updated July 2026

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