The MN Guide to Independent Bookstore Day 2021

After (wisely) holding a delayed, more low-key virtual event last year, indie bookstores in Minnesota and around the country will be celebrating this year’s Independent Bookstore Day on April 24, 2021. Officially participating stores will have exclusive Independent Bookstore Day items—which can include tote bags, advance reader copies (ARCs), posters, clothing, and more—and may have sales and other special promotions. Other stores won’t have the “official” items but are celebrating on their own. You can find all of them here! (Click to skip down to the store listings.)

The Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport is back for another year—pick up your passport at any of the participating metro-area stores, listed on the Rain Taxi website and noted in the listings below, between April 18 and April 24. Each store visit during this week earns you a passport stamp that activates a coupon you can use on another visit. Collect 10 stamps to activate all the coupons; collect 17 stamps for a chance to win one of the literary prize packs or the grand prize, a set of books selected by each of the participating bookstores.

The Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap, created by the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIBA), is also returning. Aside from this being a great tool to find a bookstore near you, you can win prizes here as well by shopping at any of the stores featured on the roadmap (either online or in person) between April 24, 2021, and next year’s Independent Bookstore Day on April 23, 2022. Take a picture of your purchase and post it on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with the phrase “I shop at indie bookstores” and the hashtag #BookstoreRoadmap, plus tag the store in the post. MIBA will randomly select one entry each month to win a $50 gift card to the bookstore of your choice—and on next year’s Indie Bookstore Day, the association will select one grand-prize winner from all of the year’s entries to win a $500 gift card. The more stores you shop at and tag, the more likely you are to win the grand prize. Unlike the passport program, because the Bookstore Roadmap includes most (but not all!) independent bookstores in the state, we haven’t noted participation in the list below.

As in the past, both the passport and the roadmap feature illustrations by Twin Cities cartoonist Kevin Cannon.

The 2021 Indie Bookstore Roadmap. MIBA

Nationally, from April 17 to April 24, IndieBound will choose random winners among accounts posting with the hashtags #BookstoreShoutOut and #IndieBookstoreDay on Instagram or Twitter. Winners will receive an Independent Bookstores of the US map from Pop Chart, a 2021 IBD tote bag, and credit for free audiobooks through Libro.fm. IndieBound is also hosting a series of virtual author events throughout the week. And if you spend at least $15 at an independent bookstore between April 24 and April 26, you can submit your receipt to Libro.fm to claim a free audiobook direct from the platform.

For more news and info, follow @BookstoreDay and #BookstoreDay on Twitter or check out Independent Bookstore Day on Facebook.

COVID-19 Note: Many stores on this list, including those participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport, have limited operations due to the ongoing pandemic. Some are open to walk-in indoor browsing, but others are limited to curbside or window pickup or appointment-only visits. Be sure to double-check store hours and policies before visiting in person.

In addition, we know our readers include people of all vaccination statuses and levels of vulnerability and encourage everyone to take these factors into account when deciding whether to attend an in-person event. The CDC recommends that you continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing even if you’ve been fully vaccinated, and most or all stores are enforcing these practices indoors and out. For more information and resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota, visit TwinCitiesGeek.com/COVID19.

This list may be updated throughout the week as more information becomes available. All sales and events below are on April 24 except for the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and where otherwise noted.

Last updated April 21, 2021

Minneapolis

The Babycake’s Book Stack bookmobile is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will be parked at Moon Palace Books (more on them below) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The store will have official Independent Bookstore Day items and outdoor author readings and signings, live music, story time, giveaways, and guest appearances throughout the day.

Birchbark Books and Native Arts in the Kenwood neighborhood is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will be hosting an outdoor market from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25 (weather permitting).

Black Garnet Books is currently operating only on a pop-up basis and through online sales, but you can get 21% off your online order with code IBD21. You can also activate a special coupon for this store if you unlock all the coupons on the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Boneshaker Books, also operating on a pop-up basis, is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will be open extended hours for its outdoor sales all week.

Daybreak Press Global Bookshop on the U of M’s East Bank is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

DreamHaven Books and Comics in South Minneapolis is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

The Irreverent Bookworm will have online deals and promotions all weekend. At the store from 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on April 24, there will be special swag, outdoor sales tables (weather permitting), and mini indoor-browsing sessions. Masks are required indoors and out. You can activate a special coupon for this store by unlocking all the coupons on the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Magers & Quinn Booksellers in Uptown is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will have official Independent Bookstore Day items.

Milkweed Books in downtown is currently operating online only, but you can activate a special coupon for this store if you unlock all the coupons on the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Moon Palace Books in Longfellow is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport. The store is also hosting local authors Sarah Warren and Catherine Urdahl in its courtyard for a “Storytime Stroll” between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on April 24: “Enjoy free books for kids and a self-guided story stroll featuring the picture book Best Friends in the Universe by author Stephanie Watson. Please practice safe social distancing and wear a mask. No registration is necessary.” Babycake’s Book Stack (see above) will be parked outside the store all day.

Once Upon A Crime is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will be virtually hosting author Will Dean (The Last Thing to Burn) in conversation with Adrian McKinty at noon on April 24.

Paperback Exchange is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Wild Rumpus Books for Young Readers is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport, will have official Independent Bookstore Day items, and is and hosting an outdoor pop-up sale from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on April 24 (masks and social distancing required). There will also be a virtual Spanish/English bilingual story time posted at 10:00 a.m. on IGTV, Facebook, and YouTube and viewable for 24 hours.

Other Minneapolis bookstores to visit in person or online (be sure to check hours and operations) include:

• The Book House in Dinkytown
• Eat My Words Bookstore in Northeast
• James & Mary Laurie Booksellers in the North Loop
• Mayday Books on the U of M West Bank

In addition, bookseller Don Blyly, whose Uncle Edgar’s Mystery Bookstore and Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore burned down last year, is currently selling books from his personal stock online, and a GoFundMe campaign toward launching a new physical location is still ongoing (with a new update posted April 12).

St. Paul

Next Chapter Booksellers in Macalester-Groveland is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Red Balloon Bookshop on Grand Avenue is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will have official Independent Bookstore Day items available—visit the store’s event page for a list. Red Balloon will also be hosting “festive silliness,” including prizes, on the store’s patio from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on April 24 (masks and social distancing required), and online purchases that day earn you a coupon code for 10% off your next online purchase.

Storied Owl Books in Macalester-Groveland will be offering curbside pickup hours on April 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and “lots of recommendations and special day-of buys.” Watch @storiedowlbooks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for deals posted throughout the day. You can also activate a special coupon for this store by unlocking all the coupons on the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

SubText Books in downtown St. Paul (which launched a new website and online store at the beginning of this month) is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Winding Trail Books in St. Anthony Park is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will be holding a drawing for a book bag and a store gift certificate.

Other St. Paul bookstores to visit in person or online (be sure to check hours and operations) include:

• Against the Current in Macalester-Groveland
• Midway Used and Rare Books in the Midway neighborhood

Greater Twin Cities Metro

Chapter2Books in Hudson, Wisconsin, is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Cream and Amber in Hopkins is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Excelsior Bay Books in Excelsior is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport.

Lake Country Booksellers in White Bear Lake is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will have free ARCs and treats on hand. The store will be offering 10% off purchases and will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Valley Bookseller in Stillwater is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day Passport and will have official Independent Bookstore Day items, drawings for online and in-store shoppers, and freebies with in-store purchases.

Outside the Metro

Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery in Park Rapids will have official Independent Bookstore Day items, giveaways, a free book with every purchase, a drawing for two autographed copies of The Saint Patrick’s Day Hero (plus bandanas inspired by the book), and “I Survived 2020 with Books” apparel for sale.

Buffalo Books & Coffee in Buffalo will have special merchandise, prizes, giveaways, and more.

The Bookstore at Fitger’s in Duluth will have discounts and giveaways both in person and over social media as well as official Independent Bookstore Day items and snacks in the store. There will also be “Author Recommendation Bingo,” in which some of the store’s favorite authors have recommended their favorite books—just match the title to the author. If you get bingo, you win a discount and extra entries in the grand prize drawing.

Content Bookstore in Northfield will have official Independent Bookstore Day items, is giving away an IBD tote bag free purchases of $100 or more (or buy one for $15), and is partnering Little Joy Coffee to give shoppers a free beverage of their choice, redeemable Saturday only, with any Content purchase of $50 or more. (Little Joy Coffee will also be featuring a special bookstore-themed surprise drink for Bookstore Day shoppers.) Every purchase also gets you and entry into a giveaway for the Tote of Contentment, “a classy canvas bag of bookish riches that we promise will amaze and delight the lucky winner.” Finally, the store is holding the Shelf Talker Writing Contest: “Stop by our entry table in the shop and fill out a shelf talker for one or more of your favorite books, and Content staff will select 5 Honorary Booksellers, whose shelf talkers will be used in the store, and who will be rewarded for their craft with $25 gift certificates!”

Fair Trade Books in Red Wing will have official Independent Bookstore Day items on hand as well as gifts, treats, local author book signings, sticker-making workshops by a local artist, and live music. Customers with store credit can use that credit to earn a 50% discount on all used inventory. The store is also holding a donate drive for patrons to donate books, gifts, and other items to families in need through Red Wing Area Mutual Aid.

Little Professor Book Center in Owatonna is having a 20% off storewide sale April 24.

Paperbacks and Pieces in Winona, which is under new ownership, is having a 10% off storewide sale and will have gift bags for children while supplies last.

Scout & Morgan Books in Cambridge is having a storewide 20% off sale on all new and used books, official Independent Bookstore Day items, and as free books and gifts with purchase.

Sweet Reads in Austin will have official Independent Bookstore Day items.

Zenith Bookstore in Duluth has plenty going on for both in-person and online shoppers. The store will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. April 24 with a six-person limit and masks required; there will be official Independent Bookstore Day items, free cupcakes, a “blind date with a book” promotion, and a prize raffle to win a private wine, cheese, and chocolate shopping trip in store for one winner and up to five friends, including free bags and $20 gift certificates for everyone in the group. Online, there will be contests and giveaways on social media for books, bags, and IBD and Zenith swag in the days leading up to Independent Bookstore Day, and you can use the promo code “IBD” on April 24 to get 10% discount on your order and be automatically entered in the grand prize raffle.

Other Minnesota bookstores to visit online or in person (be sure to check hours and operations) include:

• Book Break in Maple Lake
• Driftless Books in Wabasha
• Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais
• Cherry Street Books in Alexandria
• Howard Street Booksellers in Hibbing (by phone only at 218-262-5206)
• Lundeen’s in Fergus Falls
• Peacock Books and Wildlife Art in Rochester
• Piragis Northwoods Company in Ely
• Sweet Peas and Back Forty Books in Two Harbors
• Turtle Town Books and Gifts in Nisswa
• The Willow Bookstore in Perham

Happy reading!

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