Gift certificates are a great way to support us while we are closed for COVID-19. We can also mail them to a friend to brighten someone's day. For an In-STORE ONLY Gift Certificate, click HERE. For an ONLINE ONLY Gift Code, click HERE.

Per the latest orders, Governor Whitmer is allowing retail stores to reopen by appointment only beginning this Tuesday. And while this news excites us - we can’t wait to open our doors and greet all our amazing customers - we have decided not to open our store for shopping yet. Here’s why.

For the past nine weeks, all our energy has gone into adapting. We’ve concentrated on adding functions to our website, new ways to connect virtually through social media and live events, adjusting our future author event plans, as well as focusing on getting online orders to you as quickly and as safely as possible. The demand has been high (thankfully), but the cost on me and the staff has been too. We are a small store with a small team, yet these tasks are just as big as if we were a big store with a big team, and we need to feel ready, not rushed, and capable of delivering the experience you’ve all come to count on us for.

Not only that, but the store is a mess! Well not quite, but it has shifted from a showroom to a processing and shipping center, and still needs to be thoroughly cleaned and reconfigured to allow for social distancing to keep you and our booksellers safe. I expect figuring out how to do this will take a few weeks, and I’m working with our team to create a written plan to move forward, including their readiness to return to work, which I will also not rush.

The current scheduling system used to book pickup appointments is working well and will be used for scheduling appointments to shop when the store is ready. This will happen, we simply need more time. Until then, we appreciate your continued patience and willingness to adapt to new ways of supporting indie booksellers. We’re excited about the new ideas that have come out of this (virtual events! online-only gift cards!) and feel confident we’ll emerge as a better bookstore and better book enthusiasts as a result. 

We will continue to keep you updated and hope you’re all staying healthy and home with a great read.

Susan