The Literary Wonderland of Detroit: John K. King Used & Rare Books
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Imagine a place where the scent of old paper and ink wafts through the air, where the walls are lined with books from floor to ceiling, and where you can get lost in a literary labyrinth for hours on end.
Welcome to John K. King Used & Rare Books in Detroit – a veritable paradise for book lovers and curious souls alike.
A Brief History: From Glove Factory to Book Utopia
Once upon a time in the 1960s, a young bibliophile named John King started selling books out of a rented room in Dearborn, Michigan.
Fast forward to 1983, and King opened his flagship store in an old glove factory at 901 West Lafayette Boulevard in Detroit. Yes, you read that right – a glove factory.
Now, instead of gloves, this four-story wonderland is filled with over a million books. It’s like a scene straight out of one of my favorite childhood movies, “Beauty and the Beast,” minus the talking furniture.
The Collection: A Treasure Trove for the Ages
If you’re looking for a specific book, John K. King Bookstore probably has it. And if they don’t, well, it probably doesn’t exist. Their collection is so vast that it covers every conceivable subject.
Want a first edition of “Moby-Dick”? They’ve got it. How about a rare, signed copy of “The Great Gatsby”? It’s there too, nestled among countless other literary gems.
Books in multiple languages line the shelves, making this a truly global collection. It’s like the United Nations of bookshops, but with fewer speeches and more reading.
The Sensory Experience: A Feast for the Senses
Stepping into 901 West Lafayette is an overload of sensations. You’ll experience the creak of the old wood floor as you climb the stairs. You may become overwhelmed when you first enter the store but follow the natural path to the left, and you’ll find your way.
You enter a maze of shelves filled with thousands of titles and handwritten labels. It’s a sea of colors. But before long, you’ll be warmly greeted by a staff member, who will provide you with a map and some much-needed directions.
And then you smell it. It’s welcoming, it’s comforting, and there’s a name for it – bibliosmia – the warm, endearing smell of old books.
While we live in an ever-increasingly digital world, there’s nothing like the feel and smell of books. Even with the number of digital books I read (a dozen or so a month), there’s a certain feeling of joy that comes from paperback in my hands, visiting the local library, or browsing my favorite bookstores.
Navigating the Labyrinth: Maps and Friendly Guides
With four floors of books, getting lost is part of the charm. But don’t worry; they’ve thought of that. The store provides handy maps to guide you through the maze.
Pro tip: if you find yourself in the sci-fi section and suddenly surrounded by romance novels, you’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere near the travel guides.
The staff here are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly friendly. Need help finding a specific title or just want a recommendation? They’re more than happy to assist. Think of them as literary sherpas, guiding you to the peak of your bookish desires.
The Atmosphere: Cozy, Vintage, and Full of Character
Walking into John K. King is like stepping back in time. The wooden floors creak underfoot, and the shelves seem to stretch on forever.
The atmosphere is cozy and vintage, making you feel like you’ve stumbled into a hidden library that time forgot.
If only these walls could talk, they’d probably recite poetry and tell tales of literary adventures.
The Man Behind the Magic: John K. King
If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of John King himself. Disheveled perhaps from loading and unloading trucks, he’s always moving, always working. It’s evident this bookstore is his passion, his labor of love.
John started in the book business as a teenager, selling books out of his 1954 Packard. His love for books inspired him to establish his first store in Dearborn in 1965. In 1971, he moved the store to the Michigan Theatre in downtown Detroit, and in 1983, he purchased the current building.
Events and Happenings: More Than Just a Bookstore
Occasionally, the store hosts book signings, readings, and other literary events. It’s like a mini-festival of words and ideas, bringing together authors and readers in a celebration of all things bookish.
So, keep an eye on their event calendar – you never know when your favorite author might make an appearance.
The Treasures: Rare Finds and Curious Artifacts
At its current location, John K. King boasts a collection of over a million books encompassing 900 categories, spread over four expansive floors.
An adjacent building, once the Otis Elevator Building, houses rarer items available for viewing by appointment only.
When asked what he thinks is the rarest thing in the store, King answered, “The people. It takes a special person to shop here. And special people to work here.”
Tips for Visiting: Making the Most of Your Trip
- Allocate Time: This isn’t a quick stop. Plan to spend several hours exploring. Trust me; you’ll need it.
- Ask for Help: Don’t be shy about asking the staff for assistance. They’re walking, talking encyclopedias.
- Parking: There is limited parking available.
A Cozy Day Trip Itinerary: Exploring John K. King Used & Rare Books and Beyond
I spent the coziest winter day exploring Detroit, starting with the newly reopened conservatory on Belle Isle. The warmth of the greenhouse was a welcome escape from the cold, and the vibrant greenery and historic architecture made it easy to linger, soaking in the calm atmosphere. It felt like a small oasis in the middle of the city.
Next, I made my way to John K. King Used & Rare Books, a Detroit gem. The four-story bookstore is packed with endless rows of books, each shelf holding something unexpected. It’s a place where you can lose yourself for hours, flipping through old pages and discovering titles you didn’t know you needed.
For lunch, I stopped at Ima Noodles for a bowl of their signature ramen. The broth was rich and flavorful, paired perfectly with fresh noodles and toppings. It was the perfect way to refuel before heading back out into the city.
The Final Chapter: A Must-Visit Destination
John K. King Used & Rare Books on W. Lafayette isn’t just a bookstore; it’s an experience. It’s a place where stories come alive, where the past and present coexist in perfect harmony, and where you can lose yourself among the pages of history, fiction, and everything in between.
If you’re ever in Detroit, do yourself a favor and step into this literary wonderland. Just don’t blame me if you emerge hours later, blinking in the sunlight, with a stack of books taller than you are. After all, who can resist the siren call of a million books?
