Voyageur Book Shop - Milwaukee, WI

Voyageur Book Shop, Milwaukee, WI

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I’ve learned along this journey that bookstore owners come to their business from various backgrounds that encompass a broad spectrum.  Everything from medicine and law to education and retirees.  Rarely do I meet the owners who come from, well, a bookstore background.  But that’s exactly the case here at Voyageur Book Shop.  Co-owners Jeremy M. and Blaine W. created Voyageur with the knowledge and valuable experience as booksellers at Renaissance Books.  I could tell when I met Jeremy that he knew his stuff and their experience has really helped to propel them forward through a successful 9 years (and counting) of bookstore ownership.

The impressive thing about Voyageur’s success is they’ve done it all by just simply selling used books.  They do have a small assortment of vinyl and some prints but that’s it.  They also have a healthy inventory of vintage and collectible editions, enough so that collectors have discovered this bookstore.  These books as well as others can be purchased in-person or online where they have an active presence.  In fact, Jeremy told me that 25% of their sales are made online.  If you’re a collector, I would strongly encourage you to visit here in-person or online. 

Voyageur Book Shop acquires their books via several different options.  Of course, they accept books from customers who can receive store credit or cash in return.  They also keep their eyes open for book sales, garage sales, and the occasional estate sale.  But as Jeremy said, a good death or divorce are successful ways to get good used books!

The advantage at Voyageur is that Jeremy owns the building.  The one “sideline” is the rent they receive from the apartment above the store.  The two-level store is located in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee, on a busy street with lots of businesses and the area is rapidly developing, a great boost for the store.  If you haven’t visited this historic 1890s building, don’t delay.  I could’ve talked books all day with Jeremy and you can too.  Pay them a visit and enjoy a fabulous bookstore experience.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Mad Honey, Jodi Picoult.  This book would make a great teaching tool but it probably would be banned.  Two high school kids in Adams, NH fall in love, both from broken homes.  She's an accomplished cellist and he's a rising hockey player and artist.  But Lily carries an explosive and surprising secret that she refuses to reveal which may jeopardize the relationship.  I liked the book but I thought it was a little drawn out. 

CURRENTLY READING:  Christina and the Whitefish, Stephen Vittoria. 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Three Men In A Boat & Three Men on the Bummel, Jerome K. Jerome.  Mama, Terry McMillan.  Is Your Pet Psychic, Richard Webster. 

 

If you find yourself near Zillman Park, you're less than half a block away from the Voyageur Book Shop. 

The Voyageur storefront located on the very busy Kinnickick Ave in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee. 

This 1890s building has an apartment above the book shop. 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

Looking to the right from the front entrance and the creative book display you'll see there. 

Cat lovers will enjoy this store.  This is one of the two friendly felines I discovered. 

Head over to the right side of the store and let the browsing begin. 

Walking to the back along the right side of the store you'll see the doorway that will lead you downstairs to the basement of books. 

ALWAYS consider a gift card at any indie that offers them. 

Waiting for the next customer. 

Overview of the main room looking from the back toward the front entrance. 

A portion of the children's books available, located at the back of the main room. 

If you know any Tom Swift fans, send them here. 

Overview of the basement space. 

If I were a regular, I would find a couple of books to check out and take them to this comfy looking couch in the basement. 

Public Service Announcement for the Bay View neighborhood. 

One of the nooks in the basement. 

An attractive long wall of books. 

Another comfy seat downstairs. 

Another overview of the basement level. 

I love this mirror, framed by book titles. 

With Jeremy on the left, one of the fine co-owners at Voyageur Book Shop.  Thanks for a great visit. 

Wandering Raccoon Books - Grimes, IA

Wandering Raccoon Books, Grimes, IA

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When I began this journey 10+ years ago the Des Moines metropolitan area was a bookstore desert for indies.  There were two or three serving a heavily populated area deserving of more.  Since then, this region has seen a healthy growth of newly opened indies including this one in Grimes, just outside of Des Moines.  When owner Jena B. was looking for a location for her store she landed on Grimes as the one, a Des Moines area town without an indie.  In fact, Jena’s not sure Grimes has ever had a bookstore.  Wandering Raccoon Books has only been open for about 10 months and joins the growing community of independent bookstores in this area.  Well done, Jena, and welcome to the club.

Two years before opening the brick and mortar, Wandering Raccoon began as an online and pop-up store, “wandering” throughout the “Raccoon” river region of central Iowa.  A very creative bookstore name.  The store is located in the Brookridge Plaza on the western side of Grimes.  It is situated ideally close to two Grimes schools, an outstanding location.  Wandering Raccoon offers all new books including many by local authors on consignment.  They also enjoy brisk online sales and have sold and shipped books throughout the country in all but 8 states.  This indie also sells some sidelines by consignment including artistic stained glass, bracelets, and granola to name a few.  You’ll also find numerous stickers, birthday greeting cards, book covers, and book marks.  The store doesn’t offer a regular story time yet (readers wanted!) but may do so in the future.  Since my visit came a few days after Independent Bookstore Day, Jena was somewhat apologetic because of her depleted inventory.  Way to go Grimes!

As with many new indies I visit, the word is still getting out about this terrific new bookstore.  If you’re in the Des Moines metro area and haven’t visited Wandering Raccoon yet, step it up.  Pay this indie a visit and enjoy a wonderful bookstore experience and meet its friendly and conversant owner.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.  

 

 CURRENTLY READING:  The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Christy Lefteri.  

 

JUST FINISHED:  The Wager, David Grann.  The unbelieveable story of the British warship, Wager, its mission, and perilous journey around the turbulent waters of Cape Horn and ultimate shipwreck.  How did the men survive hunger, deadly weather, and eventually sail back to England?  Was there any blame assigned to the catastrophe?  Narrative non-fiction at its best by the author of Killers Of The Flower Moon.  Recommended. 

 

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Stephen Graham Jones.  

Visit this bookstore in the Brookbridge Plaza. 

Looking into the bookstore from the front entrance. 

View looking to the left from the front entrance.  Jena wasn't able to remove those white pipes when she took over this space but creatively made them look like they fit the bookstore perfectly. 

View looking to the right from the front entrance. 

An Iowa-centric table display near the front of the store. 

A few of the birthday cards offered. 

A cross section view of the beautiful interior near the front of the store. 

In Iowa, you can't throw a basketball without hitting a Caitlin Clark fan.  Here's the perfect gift for a little reader. 

Uniquely crafted book and e-reader sleeves. 

Attractive table display of popular releases. 

A very attractive and relaxing setting in the front of the store. 

A beautiful, donated piece for the Raccoon readers. 

Browse this area in the far rear of the store. 

The inventory includes numerous banned books for sale. 

Check out this fresh granola offered near the checkout counter. 

If you know any Manga fans, send them to this store. 

Looking into the children's area and playroom in the back of the store. 

Right outside the children's room find a nice assortment of children's books. 

Unique bookmarks. 

Another great place to sit and sample a book. 

Overview of the store looking from the back toward the front entrance. 

Raccoons of all shapes, sizes, and themes can be found throughout the store thanks to well-meaning friends and customers. 

Unique bracelets created by a local artisan.  If you see it in a bookstore and you like it, GET IT!  It will be hard to find anywhere else. 

If you're on a budget, find this shelf on the left side of the store. 

Visual confirmation AND raccoon wallpaper.  Bookstore owners are some of the most creative people anywhere. 

With Jena, the fine owner at Wandering Raccoon Books.  Thanks for a great visit.