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 :)

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.

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.

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.

So glad I discovered this neighborhood bookshop. Large selection of new and used books at seriously…read moreunbelievable prices. I was just in there for a children's graphic novel but there seemed to be something for everyone. Staff offered a quick check out which was nice. There is plenty of street parking

Such a fun place to bring the kids in a hot afternoon. They can look at toys and books for hours!…read moreI can grab a drink in the Cafe and we're all happy. Head to the back left side of the store if you've got little ones. There's plenty for them to do between books and the play table. I am sitting in the rocking chairs now watching them play. * join the summer program after your elementary Kids reads 8 books by 8/31 program aft

I'm currently hooked on the Tomato Caprese sandwich, which is inspired by the tomato caprese salad…read more It's HOT, cheesy and super DELICIOUS! Did I mention they have scones and cakes from Cheesecake Factory? Super delicious hot drinks too...today I enjoyed a special herbal tea, I believe it was called New Year's tea? It was hearty decaffeinated tea with cinnamon...so delicious! LOVE!

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.

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!

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.