Writing a New Chapter

Boneshaker Books celebrates its one-year anniversary, and shows bookstores still have a place in the community

The hand-selected collection at Boneshaker Books includes everything from zines to children’s books to radical and progressive literature.

Image credit: Lauren Peck

Recommended by the Editor

Little Libraries, Big Aspirations

By: Lauren Peck

Tucked away on a quiet residential street in Minneapolis’ Seward neighborhood, Boneshaker Books could be easily overlooked. But here’s a suggestion: look closer.

Step inside, and Boneshaker comes to life. It’s small, yes, but the space is warm and cozy and stocked with an amazing selection that includes everything from zines to children’s books to radical and progressive literature.

The mix of literature seems to have found an audience. As many local bookstores close their doors, Boneshaker is celebrating its one-year anniversary. Owners say the store is going strong and growing.

“We had projections numbers-wise on how many books we were going to sell, and we’ve exceeded those,” says collective member Jason Paschall.

One factor in Boneshaker’s success is its business model. The store is operated as an all-volunteer non-profit by a seven-person collective, and is supported by a team of 40 volunteers who work at the store. 

The collective members all were once volunteers at Arise! Bookstore in Minneapolis, another collective-run bookstore, and the idea from Boneshaker grew from there. When Arise! closed in 2010, those who loved it didn’t lose hope in the model.

“When [Arise!] was closing, we thought there’s a way to make a volunteer bookstore work,” says collective member Amanda Luker. “We thought, ‘Let’s do it, and let’s do it right.’”

After fundraising for a year, Boneshaker opened. Luker thinks of the opening itself something of a success, considering the tight time frame of its launch. “We signed a lease on a space in mid-December and opened by Jan. 15,” she says. “Getting bookshelves, lighting, the books: that was a huge accomplishment.”

In the first year, the collective members agree that the response from volunteers and community members has been wonderful.

“We’ve had a really good response of people who’ve shopped at the store, and when they find out it’s all volunteer, they want to get involved,” Maggie Ludlow says, another collective member.

Members also attribute their success to the unique selection of books they offer. Each book that is stocked is hand-selected by bookstore leaders and volunteers, giving the selection a personal feel unmatched by larger operations.

People who donate $250 or more also have the chance to pick a book that will remain in stock at Boneshaker forever.

“You’re not going to find this kind of collection at any bookstore,” Paschall says.

As for Boneshaker’s future, the store is developing plans for 2012 and inviting their volunteers’ input, hoping “to cement [Boneshaker] in the community and become THE bookstore of 2012,” Ludlow says. 

Plans include expanding retail space to create a kids’ nook and to grow their inventory of children’s books. Boneshaker also offers itself as a free event and meeting space, and Paschall hopes to develop the space more to include equipment such as a projector, screen and speakers.

The collective also looks forward to offering more community events, such as an upcoming vegan fundraiser dinner on Valentine’s Day because, in the end, Boneshaker stresses community and its volunteers above all.

“We see ourselves as an integral part of the community,” Paschall says. “No one is going to make a ton of money selling books anyway, but to have those stronger ties within the community, it takes volunteers.”

+ Boneshaker Books is located at 2002 23^rd Ave. S., Mpls. Learn more about the store at boneshakerbooks.com.