This place is a special gem of a bookstore. This store is worth a visit if you're a bibliophile in the Detroit area. However, a few things you need to know before you go are that they are currently only open on Fridays and Saturdays, and they only take cash, checks, or Venmo. The owner Hank, a charming older gentleman, also noted that customers should call first to double-check that they are open before driving any distance. I feel like this makes it a speakeasy-style bookstore. Those hurdles aside, this bookstore is worth all five stars.
This store is the archetype of a collectible used bookstore. Over 15,000 titles are carefully curated, collected, and organized by section into seven reading rooms set up as libraries. Hank is a rare bookstore owner who is well-connected in the book world, knowledgeable, experienced, and super friendly. The shelves are loaded with quality titles of every available topic. If you're looking to buy slightly messed up copies of books for less than $10, this is not the place for you. However, if you're looking for quality out-of-print titles in the $15-$200 range, that is all I saw here. To comprehend that building a collection of books of this quality and quantity would take someone an entire lifetime and is entirely impractical should be apparent to most people who shop at used bookstores.
I would also note that this store came close to being completely wiped out by the flooding in the area that happened this year. Considering this unique collection and how close the community came to losing it, you should try to experience this shop while you still can. read more