Zenith Bookstore - Duluth, MN

Zenith Bookstore, Duluth, MN

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Hey Zenith City (that's YOU Duluth), have you heard about the big celebration in your town this July?  No, I'm not talking about the 4th of July.  It's going to be WAY bigger than that.  There's a little baby that's having its one-year-old birthday on July 1st.  A brand new baby BOOKSTORE.  If you're in the Duluth area and haven't seen this place don't walk there, sprint!  That July 1st party will be the perfect time to visit and enjoy cake, sales, promotions, and see a wonderful independent bookstore with terrific people.

But of course, you can visit this store anytime you like.  And when you do, you're going to discover what many on Duluth's west end have discovered as well as visiting out-of towners, a top-notch bookstore worthy of national attention and recognition.  Zenith Books (named after Duluth's nickname, Zenith City) is a one-level store offering new and used books along with a good variety of sidelines.  You'll find most of the new books on displays near the front of the store and most of the used books from the middle of the store on back.  Everything is very neatly arranged and easy to find.  The store is just now beginning to offer e-commerce for book orders via their website.  This makes it easy for grandparents in Arizona to buy books for the grandkids in Duluth.  There is a broad offering of sidelines including greeting cards, reading glasses, journals, and unique socks to name just a few.  The cards and especially the socks are the bestsellers here.  I've now heard just about every bookstore I've visited tell me that socks sell very well which makes me wonder why everyone doesn't carry them.

Store exterior with painted books onto the store front.  

I think my favorite thing here (besides the people) is the very attractive storefront art work of book covers and spines.  Certainly it is very important to get into the store and start browsing but I would encourage you to take time to admire the wonderful artwork on the outside which loudly proclaims this business as an independent bookstore.  

Bob D. co-owns the store along with his wife Angel.  I had the best time meeting and talking to Bob as well as store manager, Nikki.  They really know their books because I couldn't stump them!  You'll thoroughly enjoy meeting them and the rest of the staff at the party on July 1st.  Have a piece of cake for me and enjoy another up and coming independent bookstore.  Congratulations Bob and Angel.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  In The Unlikely Event, Judy Blume.  Didn't.  Couldn't get into it and I found it to be rather plodding.  Lots of different characters to keep track of early.  Just wasn't for me.    

CURRENTLY READING:  The Wright Brothers, David McCullough.  

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Florida, Lauren Groff.  The Modigliani Scandal, Ken Follett.  A butt-kicking Zenith t-shirt.    

There are two store entrances.  This is the side entrance that leads into the store from the convenient parking lot.  Great entrance except you'll miss seeing all of the terrific art work at the front of the store.  

Side of the building and sampling of art work before you get to the front entrance.  

Let the shopping begin and you're not even in the store.  

Check this incredible art work, just outside the front door.  My pictures don't really do it justice.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  

View looking to the right from the front entrance.  

Near the front of the store you'll find a great place to sit and try out a book.  

Display of new fiction with some staff recommendations.  

The store is able to host lots of events.  

The store carries lots of sidelines, these are just a few.  

Kids will love these animal puppets and finger puppets.  

Recently released paperbacks.  

My only disappointment was not meeting, Lisa, the store labradoodle.  This is her office.  

Lots of books of regional interest and by local authors.  

Great customer service that you should ask about at every bookstore.  

This display might not work in Florida, but it works in Duluth.  

Great artistic work portrays the front of the bookstore.  You can find this on some of the greeting cards.  

If you live in Duluth, you need this book.  

The quirky socks here sell well.  

Always one of my favorite pictures, a wall of books.  

A great place to relax in the middle of the store.  Regular readers may recognize the celebrity scanning the bookshelves.  Yes, that's my mom.  

Partial view of the children's section.  

Another overview of the children's section, a nice space.  

One of the book nooks.  

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

You can find stuff like this at an indie!

Collectors might find exactly what they're looking for here.  

With Nikki on the left and Bob on the right, two of the fine folks you'll meet at The Zenith Bookstore (and a shout out to Liz for a great picture).  Thanks for a great visit.