Photo Essay: John King Books (part 1)

Posted by: Redhead on: November 5, 2011

• In: book stores | for the love of reading
• 14 Comments

While in Detroit earlier this week for business, I happened to ask an associate “any good bookstores around here?” and he replied with “well yeah, there’s John King Books“.  Google map in hand, I ditched work early and headed down Jefferson Ave.  Said work associate promised he’d call me later to make sure I hadn’t gotten locked into the bookstore for the night.   My first visit to John King Books was simply amazing. I did get lost, many times, and those were the best way to explore and find things I didn’t even know I was looking for.  Staffed by people who love books, and know their trade, John King Books is a must-visit for any book lover.

I spent a few hours there that first day and shopped till my arms were full (they do have shopping baskets and will of course hold stacks of books at the counter while you continue shopping), and drove right back the next morning, camera in hand. And by the way, if you wish to take photos on your visit, please call ahead and ask permission first. It’s the polite thing to do.

Located right off the Lodge Freeway (M-10) in the business district of Detroit, and with free parking available in a gated lot next to the building, this famous bookstore is easy to find. and Yes, it’s famous as the largest used bookstore in Michigan, and most likely the largest used bookstore in the country.

Walking through John King Books feels a little like reading your way through the stacks and archives in Rothfuss’s Name of the Wind. It’s dark, it’s cold (bring gloves and a hat. I’m not kidding), the organization is based on where they have room at the time,  there are books literally piled everywhere, and a love for books trumps everything else. It’s places like this where the secrets of the universe lurk.

the view from the parking lot:

and let’s go inside:

This is one of the few non-hand-written signs in the building. You’ll see what I mean further down.  You can’t tell from this photo, but the small lobby is filled with antique furniture and wooden showcases. The steps and landing are marble.  And every surface is covered in books.

Entrance to the store itself is the left side of the lobby. Once inside the store proper, you can turn right to explore the first floor, or turn left for the stairs. I suggest asking for a map at the counter before beginning your adventure.

This is the door to the stairwell. See all the signs? and boxes? and books? It only gets better!   It seemed logical at the time to start on the fourth floor and work my way down. . .  but to get to the fourth floor, you must of course, start on the 1st floor and start climbing.  There is an elevator for folks who don’t do stairs.

A mural in the stairwell.  This entire building is bookstore, and the stairwells and landings are no exception.  Covered in murals or framed  artwork (all for sale), just getting to where you’re going is a visual feast for the eyes.

Finally, the door to the fourth floor!  you can see some of that framed artwork next to it. Remember, King’s specialty is rare books and antiques, so artwork and antique furniture is everywhere. See all those signs on the door? Nearly all are hand written, and some contradict others.

A close up of one of the signs on the door to the fourth floor.  There are phones located on each floor, should you not be able to find what you’re looking for and should a clerk not be able to find you.  I never had need of the phones, as each floor had at least two clerks wandering around, shelving books, helping people find things, turning lights on and off.  Need help? Look for someone wearing a blue apron carrying a walkie talkie.

Yes, all the florescent light fixtures have long pull strings. Can’t reach?  climb on a milk carton.  Turn the light on in the aisle you’re browsing in, and kindly turn it off when you’re done.  I got to the point where my hands were so full of books that I didn’t have a free hand to turn the light off, I’m sure the clerks were scowling at me behind my back for my rudeness.

Located some place near the entrance to each floor is a map posted on the wall. It may or may not match the map they gave you when you first walked in. Aisles are marked A through whatever and One through 70-something.  Usually with an aisle down the center as well. Here’s the map for the 4th floor, on a shelf covered in additional hand made signs:

A close up: It’s New and Improved!

Someone had fun making these signs:

Ahh, and the glorious never ending lines of books?  Perhaps they look something like this:

or this:

The light at the end of the tunnel? More books!

While browsing, you can’t help up be entertained by the signage:

Well, that’s enough photos to clog anyone’s reader, stay tuned for part two of the John King Books photo essay, starring the SCIENCE FICTION section!!

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Tags: book stores, books, Detroit, Michigan, reading