Category Archives: Bookstore Tourism

Beckham’s Bookshop – New Orleans, LA

I recently got to spend a few wonderfully misty days in New Orleans. Beckham’s BookShop is usually my first stop as they’ve always had a robust essays section, and as soon as I walked in, I could tell something was different… they’ve been sold! Fortunately, the new owners are the same kind souls who own Dauphine Street Books a few blocks away. So all will be good (phew!) and the prices are exactly what you want in a good used book store. While many shelves were in a state of transition and the upstairs closed, it was still a great visit. Hopefully, they’ll keep the essays section. The new owner was undecided when we spoke. Here are a few photos from my visit.

Beckham’s Bookshop
Address: 228 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Hours: 10am – 4pm; Seven days a week

While walking back to the hotel, I also stumbled upon a new-to-me bar with a literary bent called Backspace Bar & Kitchen. It was wonderfully dark and cozy on a rainy evening. I got to eat and drink in front of the working fireplace and read for a bit before heading back out. Backspace was a fun spot, and I’m looking forward to going there again.

Black Garnet Books – St. Paul, MN

I recently had the chance to visit a great bookstore in Minnesota – Black Garnet Books. The selection was so well done and it is as welcoming a place as any shop I’ve been to. Lots of color and unique titles.

They sell new books, but they have a Little Free Library right in the store! How cool is that? It’s right by the door by the kids’ section. You know you have found a good bookstore when they understand the LFL mission and participate like this. They have lots of events, discussions, reading times, a book club, etc.

They recently changed owners and it looks like a really good fit. I’m excited to see what 2025 looks like for Black Garnet. They shared the news about the new ownership over on their Instagram profile.

Terresa Moses

Anyway, here are a few photos I snapped (during a VERY frigid morning) while I was there. This one is worth visiting if you are in the St. Paul, MN area.

Black Garnet Books
1319 University Ave. W.
Saint Paul, MN 55104
11am-5pm Monday-Friday
NOTE: they are closed from 1:30pm-2:10pm each day for lunch.
12pm-5pm Saturday and Sunday

Leopold’s Books Bar Caffé

Leopold’s Books Bar Caffé is one of the coolest and quirkiest shops I’ve visited. I loved it! It is such an original space and felt instantly comfortable and browsable. As soon as you walk in you have a choice of walking ahead to the full bar spanning the back wall or turning right and face a living room sized area wonderfully filled with books! Leopold’s Books Bar Caffé sells new books only, but they are so smartly organized… by country… and all of the fiction and non-fiction are mixed together. Blasphemy you say! Wait it gets better…

So you there you are staring at a small sign declaring the shelf to be Argentina. Spine out you can see fiction about Argentina or non-fiction about Argentina or books authored by Argentinians. Then on the shelf next to it are bottles of wine and spirits from Argentina. It’s brilliant!

Look at Japan or Greece and you’ll find the same set up and pairings. The curation and title selection is so well done. It is fun to browse (you actually feel like you are exploring) and it attracts a fun crowd, being near a university. Anyway, here are a few photos from my visit. Parking can be tough, but it’s a fun spot to check out if you have a sliver of time to kill.

Leopold’s Books Bar Caffé
(608) 256-7709
1301 REGENT ST MADISON WI, 53715
Bookstore Hours are different from the bar hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10AM-MIDNIGHT
Tuesday: 3PM-MIDNIGHT
Saturday, Sunday: 10AM-MIDNIGHT

Sweet Home Books

Sweet Home Books is a lovely little bookstore located in downtown Wetumpka, AL. As soon as you enter you can tell it’s run by a real book person. The first room is mainly kids’ books, plus fun book-related gift-y items. The second room has the adult and YA books.

Everything is new and well organized. Sweet Home Books has a fun Instagram account to follow. There’s plenty of art and shops around the river and downtown as well, so it’s worth a walk around.

Sweet Home Books
107 E. Bridge Street
Wetumpka, AL 36092

Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm
Sunday & Monday – closed

Here are a few photos from my visit:

The Coosa River is a very short walk from the bookstore and has some great views to take in while reading a new book.

If you liked this post about one of Alabama’s indie bookshops, be sure to check out this page where I’m chronicling bookstores in Birmingham, AL.