Turtle Island Book Shop

I was very upset with how rude the owner of the store was. He paid me no attention when I entered his book store and then proceeded to follow me around the store like I might do something. I was really offended. There were other people he talked with, but didn’t give me the time of day. I felt like he had an issue with me because of the color of my skin and because I was dressed down. The other folks in his store were in suits and I had changed out of my work garb and came in his store in my comfy jeans.
Being an administrator/​teacher I was totally offended by the way he followed me around his store and then didn’t answer my questions.
This is obviously a store that doesn’t want the business of African Americans that dress down! I will never go to this shop again and I suggest that you never go to a business that doesn’t individual that follow people of color around and profile.

I just discovered this place, and I can’t believe it took me this long to do so (I’ve lived about a half mile away from the store for over a year now).
Turtle Island has the most amazing collection of first edition and hard to find books. The owner is extremely helpful and took me (and my girlfriend) on a small tour of the shelves so we had no trouble finding what we were looking for. We ended up with an amazing hardback first edition of Marinetti’s Futurist Cookbook.
Had I the money, I would have invested in one of the Le Corbusier’s on the shelves, but I guess that’ll have to wait until next time.
In short, one of the best hard to find and rare bookstores I’ve ever shopped.

A fantastic find — every book is selected with grace and vision. Roger, the owner is helpful, knowledgeable, and keen. Visit TI and buy books often.