Every year, the last Saturday and Sunday of April is a huge day for small bookstores and bookworms. Indie Bookstore Day is a national celebration where small bookstores join together to have sales and a fun time with their community. In the Twin Cities, there was an “Indie Bookstore Passport” that allowed people to collect a stamp at each 28 verified locations for a chance to win special prizes. As I made my way to my first location, Wild Rumpus, I was surprised to see a bookstore with a line. This is something I had never seen before, and as I entered I was met with a fluster of children running to collect their favorite books. This Linden Hills children’s bookshop is filled with animals and a little barn that is also used as a reading nook. As you make your way through the store you are met with chickens, cats, chinchillas and much more. Even if this bookstore is below your lexile range, I would recommend bringing a younger sibling, niece, nephew or cousin because you may make their week.
As I moved across the street, I ventured to my next — and favorite — location, Comma, a bookshop. This store is filled with all types of genres for young adults and adults, as well as adorable stationary to fill your home. While here, I grabbed Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, a tension-filled mystery that I cannot wait to devour. While scanning through books, I got the chance to speak with Comma’s owner, Victoria Ford.
According to Ford, Comma, a bookshop’s owner, Indie Bookstore Day marks the most financially beneficial day all year. This day is not only one of the biggest money makers, but it allows people from all over the cities an opportunity to go to different locations that aren’t typical for them, she said.
“As a bookstore owner, it’s a huge part of our year. Honestly, it’s our biggest day of the year, more than the weekend of Thanksgiving or the holidays. Just financially, it’s really important to small bookstores because it makes a big difference to us,” said Ford. “But as a reader and a member of the book community, it’s a time when we see readers and customers who might have another bookstore that’s their go to, but they’re making the rounds. As a reader, you’re going to bookstores that you might not otherwise go to, so you get a chance to get a connection with other people and other stores.”
Avid reader and junior Frejya Flink said they think supporting small businesses is important. According to them, it allows people to work a job they truly enjoy instead of an average 9-5.
“Billionaires have enough money already,” said Flink. “People have to make a living and people should be doing what they actually want to do instead of a corporate job.”
While at Comma, I couldn’t help but notice the buzzing streets and happy-looking people that filled not only the bookshop, but surrounding stores. Indie Bookstore Day is a time when the community joins together and hosts a yearly tradition.
In addition, Ford said small and unique stores are what really bring a community together, especially a smaller area like Linden Hills.
“Small businesses are the beating heart of communities. If you look at this neighborhood, Linden Hills, the reason this neighborhood is what it is and why people love to come here is because we have these businesses that are unique. It’s the only place in the Twin Cities you can go to Larue’s, a high-end women’s clothing store, where you can go to a kid’s bookstore at Wild Rumpus and come over here for a bookstore for grown-ups,” said Ford. “But also because the money from the small business goes back into our community. I live here. I’m a member of our community. When money is spent here, are all of our employees live and work her, so it just makes more of an impact on our community as a whole.”
While chatting, Flink said reading is important for everyone. They said no matter who you are, almost everyone has a book that will suit them.
“You can’t go wrong with a book,” said Flink. “You can find something that you want, anybody can find somebody that they would want. There’s millions of books.”
After a successful excursion to Comma, I made it to my third and final destination for the day, Paperback Exchange. This location was a little different from the other two, as it was a used book store. Here you are able to find all kinds of books. Genres here range from Sci-Fi to religion, classics, even conspiracies. They truly have it all. It was here that I began talking with Paperback Exchange usual, Apryl.
While talking, Apryl said she loves reading because it allows them to shut off their brain and ignore what is happening in the world.
“It allows me to turn off my brain and block out the stuff that’s going on right now. That’s I love it,” said Apryl. “It’s my way to relax, hang out and honestly enjoy a bit of me time.”
While I was still at Comma, Ford and I had a similar conversation. According to Ford, the reason she enjoys reading is because it is her passion and running a bookshop is her dream gig.
“I read because I love it. It’s funny that sometimes you hear doomsday scenarios where it’s like ‘nobody reads anymore’ and I just read because it brings me joy, and I love connecting with other people, the people in a book,” said Ford. “Then I love talking with people about books. This is a dream job to get to run the store.”
At Paperback Exchange, I picked up two books I had never seen before by authors I had never heard of. Obscure, rare books are the norm here. According to Apryl, this is why she loves small bookshops.
“Every time I tried to go to Barnes and Noble or one of the bigger ones, you’re not going to find certain things,” said Apryl. “If you’re looking for good queer books or ancient sci-fi books that have been long since out of print, you’re not going to find them.”
