Avant Garden Books & Coffee - Anoka, MN

Avant Garden Books & Coffee, Anoka, MN

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Readers, my disappointment on this bookstore visit today is that I only saw the tip of the iceberg of what it will become.  Even Jenni, the owner, told me I need to come back because she is just getting started.  But even now, you can see that there are big things ahead for this indie, its enthusiastic owner, and the Anoka community.

This business has been in place for many years at this great location right downtown.  For these many years, this was strictly a cafe and coffeeshop and that continued to be the case when Jenni and her husband bought the business at the beginning of the pandemic.  After surviving the pandemic as just a cafe, Jenni transitioned the business about a year ago to include a bookstore with the cafe.  The results?  A booming business in a location with a reasonable lease and positive profits.  Congratulations Jenni!

This one-level bookstore with an outdoor seating area offers all new books and a few sidelines including buttons, puzzles, and t-shirts to name a few.  The store will soon expand to a spacious 2nd level that will include a devoted children's section and expand to offer a story time.  They host events in the store and I suspect that schedule will get busier as they complete their additional space.  They also have book clubs in the store, always a great way to bring people into the space.  For now, the business trend is strong cafe sales on weekdays and strong bookstore sales on weekends.

Jenni's journey to this place in time has taken her from stay-at-home mom, to talented barista, to bookseller and owner.  The common denominator to all those positions is clearly a very nice person.  But, what do I always tell you readers?  Bookstore people are the best and your experience meeting them and visiting the store can never be duplicated online. 

Anoka is located a short distance north and west of the Twin Cities.  Do yourself a favor and discover this fantastic business that brings something new and unique to the Anoka community.  Go to a bookstore and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  The Whalebone Theater, Joanna Quinn.    

Beautiful front window display that also reflects the photographer soon to enter the store. 

 

View looking into the store from the front entrance. 

 

View looking directly to the left from the front entrance. 

 

I don't know the story behind this very beautiful engraving but I'm willing to bet it was done by a talented local artist. 

 

Table display for nature lovers. 

 

Black History Month. 

 

Foodies will love these options. 

 

If you're a Prince Harry fan or a fan of the royals, get this one. 

 

Everything on this cafe menu sounds good. 

 

Winter reads for the winter season. 

 

A winter display for the kids. 

 

Take your time and browse this picture. 

 

Very attractive cafe counter. 

 

Lots of comfortable seating for a sip and a read. 

 

A great book for any small business owner. 

 

This is the view looking into the upstairs level.  Use your imagination and you'll see a gorgeous space filled with books. 

 

Looking to the right from the top of the stairs.  This direction corresponds to the front of the store and is tentatively planned to be the children's area. 

 

Overview of the 2nd level.  I'm excited to watch this evolve. 

 

No, I did not have to serve time in the Anoka jail.  In the summers, this patio will be filled with cafe customers and readers. 

 

Stickers are hot sellers everywhere I've been recently. 

 

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

 

This is a very tiny little fellow spotted in the bookstore and he was pretty hard to find.  See if you can find this reader on your visit to the store. 

With Jenni, the fine owner at Avant Garden Books & Coffee.  Thanks for a great visit.