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!

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.

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!

My new "hot" spot in downtown Elk River! Grand opening of a new & used bookstore. Cozy spot along…read morethe downtown with a welcoming vibe! In this warm & friendly shop, they have dedicated about half the space to their children's area! Excellent service found here! Think the opposite of Barnes & Noble and more like the corner meeting bookshop! I found an unbelievable deal: The Ultimate Crochet Bible (hardback, 304 pages, brand new condition) for $13.95 (retail £25 in the UK, $29.95 in the US). I couldn't find this online for anywhere near this price, especially since it is in pristine condition. Lots of paperbacks, book bags, kids books-all new & used! Stop in and take a browse!

Small and intimate space, but a fantastic hometown bookstore vibe. A great selection of used books…read morealong with some great new books as well.

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.

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.

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.

Wonderful independent bookstore with a good selection and reasonable prices. Helpful staff to get…read moreyou what you need. I don't think it's only a children's bookstore so the name is slightly misleading.

A delightful shopping experience. Staff goes above and beyond to help customers. Books, toys,…read morepuzzles and more. A Northfield gem.

A beautiful setting with a sweet & calm atmosphere. With endless variety of Christian books and…read moregifts for all ages. I especially enjoy the special events! Extra wonderful staff and owner!

The cutest little Christian store in the area! There's so much to chose from. From items with…read morequotes, to clothing items, children's toys, Christmas items, kitchen items, jewelry, books, journals, and so much more! We went here looking for a few gifts for someone we know that just lost her mom and we found the perfect candle and devotional book. The employees are very friendly and there if you have any questions. The price range varies depending on the item. You can find things that are reasonable priced to more expensive pieces. I loved the cozy atmosphere. This is a store you could walk around over and over again and find things you didn't see before!

When I think of used book shops, Dustjacket Books is exactly the kind of shop that comes to mind…read more It's small, and wooden shelves support thousands and thousands of books, floor-to-ceiling. A friendly grey tabby (Simon) welcomed us at the door, followed shortly by the shop's owner. I love little shops like this where you have to dig a little to find treasures -- but I walked out with four books for $12, which was very reasonable. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, and I will definitely stop there again when I'm in Hastings.

What a great bookstore!! There are literally thousands and thousands of all types of books:…read morefiction, nonfiction, kids, rare and collectible, homeschooling, etc. The owner, Rick, is a genuinely nice guy. He is knowledgeable and very helpful. If he doesn't have the book you are looking for, he will order it for you. Another great thing about this bookstore is that you can trade your books for store credit. Just a warning--the store could use a little more organization. You might need to do a little digging, but then isn't that part of the charm of a used book store?

I stopped here looking for a particular book & to kind of just browse. I did find the book I wanted…read morebut the price was bit more than what I wanted to pay, especially for a used book. I did find it cheaper online and ended up getting it elsewhere. I like that they sell a variety of other items as well. I like seeing what games, video games and sometimes movies they have. They are well stocked up w/ items but the store can feel a bit cramped when busy as the aisles are a bit narrow. I will say the staff weren't very friendly. When checking out the cashier rang me up without saying a word to me- which is weird. I feel like if that's the case just have self checkout. The parking lot is a bit hectic but usually no issues finding a spot.

I stopped in on a Saturday morning looking for some time to kill. I've been in the market for new…read moreboard books for a nursery. The store has a lot to offer, but the children's section needs some work. I couldn't quite grasp the organization method. I also found a lot of books that were in the wrong section Which made it hard to know if I was the problem or if there just wasn't a rhyme or reason to the organization. Prices seemed a little higher than other Half Price Books. A couple of the items that we were interested in were pre-condition to say the least... Yet they still wanted 7 to 8 dollars. I did end up, leaving without purchasing anything this time, but I'm not opposed to coming back and checking out the other sections of the store. It seems like they have a really good system for buying books and there were a lot of other patrons taking advantage of this. If you have some time to kill and you're looking to browse some books, definitely stop in. Just make sure you know that you'll be there for a bit because it's not super well organized.