Tag: bookstore

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Elephant Ear Books

Opened in November 2024, this petite bookstore fills a massive void in Plymouth, namely the lack of bookstores downtown, twenty years since Little Professor Bookstore closed down. Tucked away, it provides a ton of flavor and is easily walked to. Plymouth is just so much nicer with this little slice of literary shop. The future looks bright and hopefully this great store will stick around for another 20 years.

Are you looking for a cozy atmosphere? Homemade greeting cards? You can find more information about this great place here:

https://www.elephantearbooks.com/

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Bettie’s Pages 2

Since my last visit here, Bettie’s Pages has an all new expanded area that includes a larger children’s section. You could see hints of it in my last shoot. The back area is a relaxing winding series of shelves leading to new book discoveries. Since my last visit they’ve expanded to a staff of four, and they are lovely people. They’ve already filled it to capacity with books and love, in fact they’ve run out of room! Their next big plan is a relocation to a larger venue a mile or so away from their current space. You can help with their move here:

https://www.ifundwomen.com/projects/betties-pages-bigger-and-better

This proud, LGBTQ+ friendly store deserves as much support as they can get. Look for an update after they move, planning on doing another photo shoot sometime in October or November once they’ve settled in.

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Gotham Night Comics

I haven’t photographed a comic book store for this blog yet, however I felt compelled immediately upon entering Gotham Night Comics. Fergel, co-founder and president, is a gracious and energetic host. Ready to chat about the minutia of DC’s Flashpoint or the various talented artists drawing and penning old and new Marvel characters. The store shows a real love for both collectors items and comic book history and it’s present in every corner of the store. It was a pleasure to visit and I look forward to coming back again.

Visit their website for more information about their store.

https://comicbooklivonia.com/

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Between the Covers (Holland Michigan)

Between the Covers bookshop has been in business for about 10 years, the last 5 in it’s current space. The owner, Elizabeth, is a warm host. She started her bookstore following childhood dreams and that’s reflected in the whimsy of the store, located near Holland Michigan. The other bookstore owner is a friendly cat named Ms. Patty who greeted us immediately when we first walked in and followed my wife around dutifully showing her all the bookshelves.

To see more from this great bookshop please visit their instagram page @btcbookshop.

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Books & Mortar

Books & Mortar

A small open spaced bookstore with shelves lining each wall, Books & Mortar is surrounded by a supportive community of book lovers. Initially opened in 2016, the current owner Jenny took ownership in 2018 and has a staff of four. Each shelve has multiple hand written notes (either from the bookstore employees or from the community) giving little mini reviews of the books therein contained.  The bookstore finds it’s roots in literary activism and it shows in every corner, including the large prints of book covers covering their walls, flying books strung from the ceiling, shredded page garlands and rainbow colored yarn art (made and donated by the original owner).  The space has a warm and open feeling, ready to accept any and all readers.  “Consiously currated, fiercly independent and proudly progressive” (the store slogan)`, this is a bookstore that I look forward to visiting again and again.

For more information on this bookstore, please visit their website http://booksandmortar.com/ or their instagram.

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Paper Trail Books

Going on 5 years, Paper Trail Books has been part of a new revitalization of bookstores in Michigan (see previous entries on Betties Pages, Library Books). Situated next to Cafe Muse in downtown Royal Oak, down the block from several hipster clothes shops, it’s a fantastic spot for walkins and regulars. The owner, Dave, has a long history with books that starts way back to his earlier days working in several previous bookstores and it shows on everyone of his custom made shelves. It was a delight to walk around the store, with it’s moody lighting, island shelves and gander at his stock. Thanks Dave for letting me in to take pictures! Also thanks to my dear wife Tina for encouraging me to continue with this hobby and taking all the instax photos down below.

You can get more information on this great little bookstore at their website here.

On a personal note, I’ve lined up several more bookstores that I will begin covering in the near future, will try for more updates this year now that covid is…well…is still there but not quite as limiting. 😀

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The Books Connection

With a colorful focus on Romance novels, The Books Connection caters to it’s customers like no other bookstore I’ve seen. Offering rentals, curbside delivery and an extra willingness to know each customer’s preference. This small bookstore has been open for 34 years, surviving the likes of Borders and other big box stores. It continues to thrive with it’s connection to it’s community and other independent bookstores in Michigan. It was a pleasure to shoot here and I hope you enjoy.

For more information about this bookstore please visit their website.

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Squirreled Away Books

I was very fortunate to hear about this bookstore from a family friend and I enjoyed my time there immensely.  The store is laid out with passion and the book selection is varied and fun.  The owner obviously loves books and her neighborhood in Armada, where she is very active.

You can find out more about this awesome bookstore here!

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Prospero’s Books and Media

Hello!

I had the good fortune to find this bookstore in Kansas City a few weeks ago while visiting my brother and his wife.  Three stories with an excellent selection of used and new books.  Plenty of space in the top floor while the basement housed many unique art installations as well as some really cool old telephones.

You can find more about this bookstore at their website here.

The following is an interview that my brother Anthony completed while I took the pictures.  You can find out more about him here.

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Big Blue Marble Bookstore

Recently my wife and I were out in Philadelphia visiting some close friends when I had the opportunity to find and shoot a bookstore nearby.  Even though the focus of this blog is on Detroit and it’s local bookstores I think this fits anyway, this bookstore is a part of an indie bookstore network and features many of the great qualities that the Detroit bookstores I’ve visited have, friendly staff, local authors and great books!

For more information on this bookstore (if you’re in Philly) please visit their website here.