Birchbark Books And Native Arts

Today, book lovers all across the country are celebrating Independent Bookstore Day. Here in the Twin Cities, lots of indie bookstores are offering prizes and giveaways. It's also a chance to learn more about your local bookstores, which is why in this week's behind the business, Heidi Wigdoll, stopped by Birch Bark Books in Minneapolis. Bookstores have a way of bringing people together. Sparking conversation. This is also really good. At Birch Bark Books in Native Arts, a sense of community has taken root. Seeds first planted in 2001 when acclaimed author Louise Erdrich first opened the store. Basically, we are one of those little independent bookstores who were supposed to never exist after a certain time, and we're still here. Located in the Kenwood neighborhood, Birch Bark has all kinds of books, but specializes in Native writing and art. That was one of the founding ideas was to be a place where we can really focus on and promote Native writers and Native poets and Native artists and artisans. I think what happens is that just coming in is a sort of education. If people just come in and see how much work there is by Native people and see that you can pick up any sort of book and find its author is maybe from a tribe that you have never heard of, that's an education. And it's a place for readers and writers, I'm a poet, and so to be surrounded by all of these just very thoughtfully curated books, it's just spectacular. The Twin Cities has so many wonderful, wonderful writers and is such a great literary space, so we definitely offer a lot of that side of things. The hope that those who see it here buy it here. Investing in your independent bookstores is really about investing in the community. It's really important to nurture spaces where people can come together and look at books. Binding people together. I can't imagine any other way to live now. It's a way of life, bookselling. It's In Minneapolis, Heidi Wigdahl. And Birch Bark Books recently expanded opening their basement to allow more art and books. Today you can pick up a free Twin Cities independent bookstore day passport at any of their 19 participating stores including Birch Bark. Visiting stores gets you stamps for store coupons. We'll have more information on caroleven. com and you can learn more and tell us about a business you'd com or by emailing Heidi and their address is right on your screen.