John K. King Used & Rare Books - Michigan

“Give me a flashlight and a sleeping bag and I’d stay all night. This place is a treasure.”

John K. King Used & Rare Books is an independent bookseller, and is Michigan’s largest used and rare bookstore, stocking an estimated one million books. In 2011 the store was described as ‘one of the largest and strangest collections in North America.’ The store has an industrial warehouse feel and is made up of four above-ground floors (on entering, customers are provided with a map of the store). There is also a collection of rarer and notable items which are kept in an adjacent building, however these are available for viewing by appointment only.

Amazingly, the collections are completely uncomputerized. The massive store is kept organised by a team of energetic staff members into topics and sub-topics. The bookstore has everything – from fiction, mystical, romance, classics, theatrical and everything in between! Each floor then has a manager that is responsible for the maintenace of the categories kept there.

There is also free parking in a private lot on the side of the building, for anybody travelling to the bookstore by car. If you are in Michigan, do not miss the chance the visit this huge rare bookstore – you will regret it!

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