Black Garnet Books

I stopped into Black Garnet for the first time recently and I'm so glad I did! They have both cute gift-y items and a well curated selection of books. The employee at the register helped me place a book pre-order with them and I'm excited to come back to pick it up when it releases this spring. Highly recommend stopping in!

This is a real gem of St. Paul! I spent an hour looking around, enjoying the books, and finding a few new favorites to bring home. They have a delightfully inclusive and curated selection of books across genres that is sure to give you a great addition to your bookshelf. They have comfy chairs, and table to study at, a complementary hot beverage station, and a perfectly lit ambiance that sets the tone for a great read. I came for a mystery book, but left with a delightful children’s book for my niece, a beautiful puzzle, and a fidget toy I can’t wait to open. The staff was lovely and helpful, and I can’t wait to return. I’ll be back soon. They are also right next to a tasty bubble tea shop that’s worth stopping at on your way in. Free parking in the back, so don’t stress!

A wonderful addition to the neighborhood, Black Garnet Books offers a vibrant curation of books celebrating authors and illustrators of color. This bookstore is a truly welcome addition to the literature space as they create an opportunity to seek out new voices and perspectives that you might not find browsing the shelves of other bookstores. Much love to this local gem! I always appreciate the opportunity to support a local business, and it's made even easier through the opportunity to support an inspiring mission!

Amazing book store with a vast selection of BIPOC authors! Many of the books were on anticolonial topics and focused on a BIPOC perspective. Did I spend too much when I went? Yes. Was it worth it to support a local BIPOC business? Of course. I also like that there is a smaller selection offered which can help narrow down what you might find and want, making it feel less overwhelming like other bookstores often do.

This bookshop is unlike other bookshops, I travel to bookshops around the U.S and this is very modern styled and I love it. They stepped away from the home and cozy feel but it works so well. They have a great collection of books, it not crowded with books but you will find what your looking for, I would say the books that are there are intentional almost. Not only did I go home with a book, and some bookish accessories but I wanted to take the plants home too!!

This bookstore is everything you imagine the best bookstore in the world being. The books are mostly written by people of color and honestly to go to a place that puts these authors and books at the forefront is something I definitely appreciated. Their children's books collection is amazing too and includes a number of awards winning books that you honestly do not see in more accessible stores like target or walmart. I was lucky enough to learn about this bookstore when I was given a gift card by a friend who realllllly knows me. This is definitely a place I am going to be coming back to. It was refreshing being in this bookstore and seeing books that would otherwise be buried under other more mainstream books. Important stories might not go unheard if there is a bookstore like black garnet books around 😊

Very cool, inclusive, and welcoming bookstore. They do have a decent manga section and some very cool stickers for sale.