What a great "find" in Flint. I love used vinyl and Totem's collection is impressive. In addition, if you are looking for a particular album, Aarontold me they have a warehouse a block away with 50,000 albums in stock. I picked up four albums - all around $7 to $10. Very reasonable. My wife found some used books. We also learned they are having a four-singer night on Jan. 23 and we are planning to make it back there for that. I recommend this place. read more

I stopped in this store on Wednesday, March 4th. It is a lovely store with a wide variety of items. I was in with a friend to purchase books & possibly anything else we came across. The entire experience was wonderful until we were checking out. There was a nice young lady ringing us up & pleasantly chatting with us. Then, a woman walked in & asked a gentleman behind the counter for food. I believe she was homeless. He told her that they didn't have anything & that she needed to leave. I stayed silent as it was not my place to tell him how to run his business. As she was leaving, I walked to her & met her in the vestibule. I handed her a business card that could put her in touch with an organization designed to help people get back on their feet. When I walked back in, the owner/manager(I'm not entirely certain of his actual position) started complaining to me(and I'm paraphrasing here) that I "shouldn't have given her money[which I didn't], shouldn't have helped her because now she was going to keep coming back because she'll expect more & he now has to be mean to her & tell her 'no'." I looked at him at told him that it goes against my nature to not be kind to someone in need. My friend & I purchased just over $450.00 worth of merchandise. When we were done, we had four large boxes of books & other things. He offered a flatbed cart to help get things out to our vehicle. I said no, because I didn't want anything else from him, nor did I want to give him an opportunity to complain more about me being a decent human being. If a lot of what we bought had not been for other people, I would have told him he could keep it. I will never go back into this store simply because he tried to make me feel bad about being kind to a fellow human being. It's one thing to have a policy asking anyone panhandling to leave. I get that, I understand why policies like that exist & I won't interfere in enforcing those policies. What I have a problem with is trying to shame someone for being kind to a fellow human being. Shortly into our visit (maybe twenty minutes in & we were there for about an hour), we had already planned on coming back another day for more. Now, I will NOT be returning, EVER. read more

They seriously have ruined sandwiches for me when i get back to Florida... they were so good ive already gone 3x! Cold brew is awesome! Spicy turkey sandwich awesome.. turkey pesto sandwich awesome.... cookies good. Staff awesome I mean really cant get better that this! Im up here for work but may have to grab a couple of sandwiches b4 i fly back to Florida! read more

Totem Books - Turkey pesto .. served hot - Bookstores Near Me - Flint, Michigan

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I adore this place. There has never been a time that I've gone and haven't felt at home. It's so neat and tidy as well. Everyone who works there is so kind and helpful. The food in the cafe is pretty good too, as well as the drinks. Their book selection is impressive. They also have vinyl and incense sections. I get lost in here for at least an hour every time I go. They also have some events you can attend that are worth going to. It's just everything I ever wanted in a little book store. It's truly the gem of downtown Flint. Don't pass this place up. Ever. read more

Nice place to read and hangout or browse books. I come here sometimes to add to my record collection since they have a nice selection of vinyl. read more

Great place to eat and loose yourself in books about the city; culture, music and fine decor about Flint

Great Place! Great Flint Patina !!Easy to get to with great books and records fun history !!

Best coffee in Flint!!!! There is nothing that pairs better with a great book than a great cup of coffee. Totem books has both with a great staff!!! read more

Me & my best friend walked in yesterday, not 1 of the 3-4 ppl wrking behind the counter said a wrd to us. We were there like 15-20 mins & not until we walked to the counter to buy a book that I haven't found at any other used book store, did the girl behind the counter say hi. She barely spoke to us, she rang me up, let me knw the cost & she did tell us to have a good day. The cash register asked if I wanted to leave a tip, I would've if there was better customer service but I did not leave 1. It's a beautiful store but there was no music & 0 customer service. I probably won't ever go back. read more

This place is awesome! Independently owned. Tyler was very insightful. He introduced me to bubble tea and boy am I grateful. Yummola! I can't wait to taste other flavors. read more

Funky little bookstore that every town needs. Great staff. Inventory is always fluid, as expected with any other used book store. Great addition to the Flint area! read more

Great bookstore in downtown Flint. Loved the selection. Dean has done a great job of giving a customer plenary of room to stroll the floor, have a cup of tea and browse for their next literary purchase. Congrats to the team there. read more

Totem Books - a bookshelf full of books - Bookstores Near Me - Flint, Michigan

Do you love books and finding great reads? -- Go to Totum Do you love slightly off-beat but totally cool on so many levels? -- Go to Totum Are you looking for something different in a bookstore café? -- Go to Totum Do you think that this world, this state, this county, this city needs a bookstore that sets a new bar for what it means to be committed to books, reading, and the people of their community? -- Go to Totum Do you... never mind -- just go to Totum. You'll love it. read more

Little local shop near downtown Flint. Selection was an "OK" mix. The disappointment for us were the ridiculously expensive prices for everything - especially USED! Some of the stock was bought at local library used book sales for pennies on the dollar before they marked it up to OUTRAGEOUS!!! read more

Finally, a really good used book shop/cafe devoted to providing a literary outlet that has been sorely lacking in the downtown area since the recent closure of Pages Bookstore. This cute, little independent bookstore just opened to the public over Thanksgiving weekend with a "soft opening," (a grand opening is planned for January) so it's still ironing out some kinks, but it's more than serviceable as far as used book/music shops go. With Jellybeans on Dort Highway closed for some time now, we finally have a decent used book/music retailer that doesn't mark up merchandise to stupefying levels and isn't caked in decades-old dust and toxic black mold with employees who couldn't tell you what's in stock if their lives depended on it. In fact, it's unbelievably well-organized and is clean, comfy and inviting, rather the opposite of most used book/music stores around town, whose business philosophies have mostly been along the lines of "why are you bothering me, I don't know where anything is, just pay for your stuff and go." In fact, the mantra is so different from other resale shops around town, that you forget you are actually standing in resale book shop! There's no off-putting, haughty slob eating a donut behind the counter talking about Star Trek versus Star Wars (thankfully), aka the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons, which we seem to have so very many of at every other used/resale retailer in this town. It appears that Totem Books is very interested in advancing literacy judging from its impressive children's and junior/teen fiction departments. The large assortment of gently used/next to new children's books is terrific, with cozy little reading nooks with learning games and toys for the kiddos as well. In fact, there are comfortable little reading areas throughout the shop, beckoning customers to stick around awhile and soak up the atmosphere. The store's collection of adult fiction, ranging from bestsellers, mysteries and thrillers to contemporary authors, coffee table books and poetry, is pretty decent, but probably destined to improve with time. Also impressive is the large amount of well-maintained vinyl LP's, primarily original releases, all in excellent condition. Pretty much anything you might be inspired to pick up, they've got it and at decent, though not rock bottom, prices. Aside from books and music, you can pick up cute little DIY coasters made out of old CD's, as well as an assortment of vintage pinback buttons for only a few bucks. There was live music during Totem's "soft opening" launch, but it remains to be seen if that will become a permanent feature. Prices on average hardcover books run about $4-6 and vinyl records run the gamut, from $4.99 and upwards of $20, though most gems cost about $8. Granted, prices are a little higher for a used shop, but then again, this isn't the Goodwill or the Salvation Army, my friends. My husband and I scored two vinyl records for about $14 the other day, including an old Roxy Music that my husband used to have as a kid and an out of print LP that he hasn't found anywhere in years. I can't comment about the buy-back/trade-in rate for books and music, but it's something the shop was built on and will continue to be a part of its business model. The cafe area still has a lot of kinks to work out, but I'm sure that it will improve over time, since it still appears to be in the infancy stages at this point. Nonetheless, having a working cafe in a used book shop can't be considered anything less than a plus, right? I'm eager to see where this shop is headed in the future, but for now, it's a welcome addition to the Court Street area. Plus, I love the concept of shopping locally, so I try to as often as possible. Perhaps it will fill the void left by both Jellybeans and Pages, and then some. read more

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Wonderful little independent bookstore in the neighborhood. It has the warm, comfortable familiarity of the old Flint Borders. I love hanging out and reading a book with a coffee in one of their comfy over sized chairs. The decor is eclectic and the staff rocks. And they have a cafe. Check it out. read more

Awesome place. The sandwiches are awesome. The chef has been a chef for a while she's very friendly very knowledgeable. And she's an awesome Chef. The sandwiches were amazing simple but amazing and she makes them right in front of you. The bookstore is very nice with pictures and statues that were very unique. The place was absolutely awesome. read more

Fantastic store. Tons of books and music to choose from. Have yet to try any of the drinks or food but they look terrific. Great atmosphere. Glad to have such a cool place close to home. read more

Such a nice store! Wide selection, friendly staff, clean restrooms, organized books, clean store area. Nice little gem in downtown Flint.

Great place. The employees here are knowledgeable and very friendly. The books I was looking for were not in the store, but they assured me they could order the book and it would be delivered. read more

Very accommodating in the cafe my daughter and I visited this place in our neighborhood and they made sure to have a vegan version of a soup that I viewed on their Facebook page a week prior. They make a great cup of coffee and have a nice variety menu. I tried my first ever grilled cheese with fig jam on it and I'm telling you it was Great! The book selection gets a 10 in my book as I have taken some used books in there and they go through each one carefully before they decide what to accept and how much to pay or trade. My grandkids enjoyed going in there and picking out books that I could afford to buy them and they love to read. It's a perfect addition to this neighborhood! read more

They just continue to get it right! Their used books are actually of interest, not gathered up lots of paperback fiction. They also have content in lots of other media from vinyl, to CD's, poster ads, etc. Anything I've had from their food and coffee bar has been very good! Good show! read more

definitely worth a visit or two! lots of good finds of all different types including tapes, CDs, Vinyls, and of course books. Staff is very friendly...and Alex...well she rocks read more

Totem Books - loved visiting this place~ - Bookstores Near Me - Flint, Michigan

Thought went into this place. Soft jazz in the air, good coffee from a staff courteous to a fault, comfortable surroundings, and a selection of books, music, and 'things' that show a unique eye and mind rather than shelves of 'whatever'. If you are in Flint, looking for a cup of joe and a calm moment, come here. read more

Totem Books - a library with a chess table and chairs - Bookstores Near Me - Flint, Michigan

This is a great place to stop in to get a sandwich If you're in the downtown Flint area. And their homemade scones are the best.

One of Flints biggest hidden gems! The food is so fresh and delicious and the coffee is always perfect! This is probably one of the coolest cafes I have ever been too!! read more

Seriously my favorite place. Amazing atmosphere and equally amazing staff. The coffee is always strong and food is always fresh and prepared by a chef. If your looking for a great place to study or read a book this is definitely the place. read more