Chester Creek Books - Duluth, MN

Chester Creek Books, Duluth, MN

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Used book stores are a completely different animal from new books bookstores.  Within that species of used book stores you’ll find a wide range of different models which for me makes them all enjoyable to visit.  But Chester Creek Books is a COMPLETELY different animal altogether, in a very appealing way.  This place is more like a museum that offers not only used books, but countless antiques, oddities, and art work making it a destination for anyone with various interests.  Even the historical building itself, originally a church built in 1948, is a fascinating structure to see.  The bookstore has been a solid presence in Duluth for over 20 years and current owner Tina W. has been here for about a year.  Its new signage helps to give it a visible presence located on the edge of downtown and on the very busy Superior St. through town.  Surprisingly, Tina shared with me that even though the business has been around 20+ years, she estimated that 7 out of 10 local visitors on weekends didn’t know about this bookstore.  Good gawd Duluth come on!  What do you say Tina?  “Chester Creek Bookstore, tell your friends!”

Plan to visit here when you can take your time and not be hurried.  You’ll be able to browse 40,000 - 100,000 books depending on which estimate you believe and you’ll see something different on every visit.  All genres are represented but the nature and animal books are especially good.  Enjoy exploring the many nooks and aisles throughout the sanctuary, similar to a maze.  Go to the church basement which is much larger than I thought and visit a room filled with children’s vintage books among other things.  Book collectors should definitely plan to visit here but if they can’t, you’ll find many of the collectible editions available online.  Tina acquires her inventory from estate collections and the local library book sales but also receives books from customers who donate theirs to the store.  Or they can receive store credit or cash in return for the books they bring in.  Sometimes customers bring books in and simply leave them in the entryway.  Looking for something vintage besides books?  Visit The Rainbow Room upstairs in the choir loft and you’ll find clothes and jewelry that many of us discarded long ago but are now in demand.  

I continue to encourage all readers to visit any indie and enjoy a terrific bookstore experience.  This is that place!  Book lovers and antique hunters will love discovering this fascinating store and when they do, it won’t be their last visit.  Congratulations Tina.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  My Ántonia, Willa Cather.  Prominent American female author in the mid-20th Century who writes fiction based on her experiences growing up in a pioneer family in Nebraska during the last 1800s.  The story follows Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda as children arriving in the Nebraska countryside and follows their adventures through life.  Excellent depiction of hard pioneer life in the late 19th century.  Recommended.   

CURRENTLY READING:  Miss Muriel and Other Stories, Ann Petry.  

 

 

This is the store entrance located behind the building.  There is also a small parking lot here.  

I just love this bookstore building, an old church built in 1948.  Beautiful.  Go behind the church to find the store entrance.  

Just inside the store entrance, consider supporting a community program with a purchase from this cart.  

I love this view looking into the store and what was once the sanctuary of a house of worship.  

New arrivals can be found throughout the store.  

Entering into the store and looking around to the left and up toward the altar.  

Example of some of the antiques available, these can be found on the altar.  

The sanctuary of the church/store is fun to explore with aisles like this, much like a maze.  

Cross view of the store just below the altar.  

Some of the children's books offered near the altar.  Many more can be found throughout the store, especially in the basement.  

The store has lots of vintage piano sheet music.  

Overview of the store looking from the altar toward the back and the choir loft upstairs, The Rainbow Room.  

If you know any Henry Clay fans or scholars, send them here.  

Guarding one of the bookshelves.  

Several of the book nooks feature comfortable seating.  You might find me here if I were close enough to be a regular.  

Harry Potter fans are covered.  

Another comfy place to sample a book.  

Something of interest for Alexander Hamilton fans.  

Many collectors will be interested in these drawers, found near the original church entrance.  

This would be your view if you were entering the front door of the church.  

Yes, there's more than the main floor.  

Looking into the basement after going down the steps and turning to the left.  

Enter the basement and turning right, an entire hallway of books to browse.  

If you know a beginning golfer, here are some clubs.  

A very cool and regional representation bookshelf in the basement.  

 

This room in the basement is packed with collectibles, mostly children related.  

Display of collectibles in the basement children's room.  

Yes, you'll need this.  

Looking at the entryway at the top of the stairs into The Rainbow Room.  

Some of the vintage jewelry offered in The Rainbow Room.  

Overview of The Rainbow Room, formerly the choir loft located upstairs.  

Looking down upon the bookstore that's now occupying the church sanctuary.  

If you're a regular, you should sign up for this.  

With Tina, the fine owner at Chester Creek Books.  Thanks for a great visit.