- Attraction: Magers & Quinn Booksellers
- Location: 3038 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
- Industry: Bookstore
- Website: https://www.magersandquinn.com/
Some bookstores feel like retail spaces. Others feel like sanctuaries.
Magers & Quinn, housed in a 1922 building that once served as an automobile dealership, belongs firmly in the latter category.
Since opening during the Uptown Art Fair in August 1994, this Minneapolis institution has evolved into something truly remarkable: the Twin Cities’ largest independent bookstore, where literary treasures hide around every corner and time seems to slow down among the towering shelves.
With more than 8,000 square feet of sales space and an inventory of roughly 250,000 books, you’re stepping into a reader’s paradise that demands patience, curiosity, and comfortable shoes.
This isn’t a place for quick visits – it’s designed for exploration, discovery, and the kind of serendipitous book hunting that the digital age has nearly made extinct.
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The New & Used Collection: The magic begins with the store’s perfectly balanced inventory. About half the books are new releases, while the other half are gently used treasures, creating an eclectic mix that spans centuries of human creativity.
You’ll find current bestsellers sitting alongside out-of-print gems, ensuring every browsing session yields unexpected discoveries.
Philosophy & Literature Sections: The philosophy and literature sections earn particular praise from visitors, offering deep selections that cater to serious readers and casual browsers alike.
These sections showcase the store’s commitment to intellectual depth, featuring everything from classic texts to contemporary works that challenge and inspire.
Rare Book Collection: Special sections house old books in glass cases and rare collectors’ volumes, but the real thrill comes from discovering valuable finds scattered throughout the regular stacks.
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Discover MoreFirst editions, signed copies, and out-of-print gems aren’t kept behind glass – they’re integrated throughout the store, creating delightful moments of bibliophile excitement when you stumble upon something truly special.
Minnesota Authors Showcase: The local authors section celebrates hometown heroes from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Louise Erdrich, Charles Baxter to Kao Kalia Yang.
This curated collection demonstrates the store’s deep connection to the Twin Cities literary community and offers visitors insight into the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Book-Related Treasures: Beyond books, you’ll discover cards, gifts, stickers and other book-related miscellany. The card selection appeals to those who remember quirky, original, provocative cards and postcards, making this a perfect spot for unique gifts alongside your literary finds.
Travel & Specialty Sections: The travel section includes Herb Lester maps, while other areas feature sheet music and a lovely kids’ section. These specialized collections reflect the store’s commitment to serving diverse interests and age groups, from young readers to specialized collectors.
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Intimate Reading Spaces: Rather than wide-open spaces, the store features narrow aisles and tall shelves that create intimate reading nooks and unexpected corners. The layout creates a cozy, small-rooms feeling that transforms browsing from a shopping task into an adventure of literary exploration.
Comfortable Lounging Areas: Comfortable couches and chairs invite you to lounge while browsing stacks of books you’ve picked out. This unhurried atmosphere encourages the kind of deep browsing that has become increasingly rare in our fast-paced world.
Sensory Experience: The distinctive scent of paper, ink, and well-loved used books creates an intoxicating bookstore atmosphere. This unmistakable blend of aromas triggers something primal in book lovers and forms an essential part of the browsing experience that simply cannot be replicated online.
Historical Character: This auto-shop-turned-bookstore maintains its unique character, with architectural elements that remind you of its automotive past while serving its literary present. The space has character, class, and charm – qualities lacking in big box stores.
Other Considerations
Pricing Philosophy: Titles currently in print, whether new or used, are substantially discounted. The used section offers literary riches at prices that won’t require a second mortgage, making quality literature accessible to budget-conscious readers.
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Discover MoreHowever, prices can be higher than discount retailers, reflecting the store’s focus on quality curation and independent bookstore economics.
Book Buying Program: The store actively buys used books from customers, offering even better value when you choose store credit. This creates a sustainable ecosystem where books find new readers while providing value back to the community.
Parking Situation: Street parking is available on streets west of Hennepin Avenue, or in the Calhoun Square parking ramp. The store is also accessible by multiple bus routes, with routes 6 and 23 stopping just feet from the door.
Time Investment: Plan accordingly – visitors consistently mention needing hours rather than minutes to properly explore. It’s not uncommon to find someone perched on a small stool, completely absorbed in a book they’ve pulled from the shelves, and the store encourages this kind of unhurried browsing.
Special Services: The store offers contactless pickup via a garage door in the alley behind the store, plus traditional in-store pickup for online orders. Their extensive online inventory complements the physical browsing experience.
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📍 3038 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
