Midway Books

In my whole life I’ve lived in the Twin Cities and I’m surprised that I’ve not made it into this bookstore until now! This has to be one of my favorite bookstores ever in terms of selection (which seems endless), and the overall interior appearance and the winding «hallways» in between bookshelves. I happen to love bookstores where you could basically get literally lost in not only the books shelf aisles but also let your imagination run wild as you peruse the old, current and rare selections of magazines and books that can be found here. I was impressed with the selection of National Geographics since I love them so much. Hopefull I’ll get to see the even older, more rare ones that are locked up for safety sometime too. Getting to pick up and hold and sit down in a cozy chair (there are many throughout the store) and read anything from a copy of Sinclair Lewis’s acclaimed «Main Street», to a book on the many art works of the Louvre is such a rich yet simple pleasure. I love getting to not feel rushed out of the store and being allowed to take my time looking through their extensive collection. I highly recommend you stop on by for a visit– don’t forget they have an upstairs and downstairs too!

Great selection, books were in excellent shape. Fun place to wander and see what you can find.

A wonderful place to go after a long day. peaceful environment and a great selection.

I just called to see about a book, an original press of the DSM 1 (1952), and my call was transferred to the owner. I have never been treated so rudely by anyone on the phone, he was actually hostile towards me. I will not be recommending this store to anyone.

I collect children’s books and study illustration. Midway has the best vintage and antique children’s book selection I’ve ever seen. It is relatively small, limited to two double sided chest high book cases, but the selection is absolutely wonderful. I talked with one of the employees, who by the way was so helpful and warm, and she mentioned that the owner (or one of the owners maybe) collected children’s books and that she took a lot of joy in curating the children’s section. You can totally tell. This is perhaps not the best place to bring a child and let them peruse, but if you appreciate children’s book illustration, this is for you! The employee also told me there were more boxes of vintage coloring, activity, and pamphlet style books she could bring out of storage for me if I was interested, but I ran out of time!
The rest of the store seems well stocked in all genres, too! My husband agreed that it was also a wonderful store and I believe he was looking mostly in the philosophy section.

I have to say, I am really confused by the negative reviews so many have given to this store. I think it’s lovely! It has an excellent selection of comic books, quite well organized, and is happy to order whatever you want. The employees I’ve dealt with are quite laid back and helpful. Plus, they aren’t judgmental! Last time I was there I bought a giant stack of power-​fem comics and a vintage Hustler – and the guy didn’t bat an eye. He was also happy to check in the basement for another (historically important) mag I was hoping they might have. Plus, they have tons of books! Great way to kill a few hours!

I love Midway because it is 100% quirky. Don’t miss the dusty, dank corners of the basement. I’ve found some good buys and some unusual books here, but my favorite part is just how funky & non-​chain-​store this place is.

Don’t come here without: money, time, and an overly positive attitude. Also, don’t expect to be helped in anyway.
Do they have a lot of sketchy people come in here or something? Both times these people have been less than helpful.
Maybe it is my New England accent. Or maybe, just maybe, this place kinda sucks.
You decide.

I have been a customer of Midway Books for more than 20 years. My sister and brother in law used to bring me here when I was a kid, and I return once a week for comics. They do a great job of stocking the weeklies and will order stuff for you that they would not normally carry. They have extensive back issues that are reasonably priced, though they don’t usually carry any of the trades. I have not spent much time in the rest of the store outside of the comics and sci-​fi and fantasy sections (nerd, I know) but my brother who is huge into history often finds what he is looking for here. I think the owner is awesome, and he has done right by me too many times for me to count. You can have your Powells and your Half Priced — I’ll take Midway Books.

How fortunate to have so many great bookstores in St. Paul. Midway Books is a nice combination of interesting (and even collector) books and quirky interior. Upstairs, you can find a couple of lounging seats to test drive your finds. But I really like exploring the «bargain basement». You just never know what you’ll find… plus that’s where all the vintage Life magazines are!

Don’t come here without setting aside at least an hour. That or you’ll just come in to browse and wonder where the time went. There is a lot of stuff in here. My genre is mysteries and I have found books I was looking for that the others didn’t have, and by going through carefully found some others of interest, one was so rare it may have been out of print. I love those times. Fanatics know what I mean. I’m glad there’s some part of the past in this location. That and Fasika’s.

I remember driving by this bookstore as a kid, when it displayed a big sign in the window stating, «We are not an adult bookstore!»
I went in the other day and found that Midway Books is still not an adult bookstore. In fact, it is a very pleasant place to find a used book. Repeat visits have proven the store has a wide selection, including a decent range of antique/​collectible titles. Of course, being a used book store, the selection will vary from visit to visit, but that’s part of the fun. The staff is equally happy to let you browse in peace or answer any questions you may have.
Prices are in line with other similar stores. Atmosphere is a bit tatty, perhaps in line with the Snelling/​University location, but in a kind of comfortable, old and run down way. You will be pleased.

Contrary to the previous review, I had a very friendly welcome from a female member of the staff (she seemed like the owner’s wife, perhaps?) and we even chatted for a few minutes. And in fact, I walked away with 3 books, all about the performing arts. Granted, that was not one of their stronger sections, but I still found some interesting things.
On the whole, I LOVED this used bookstore, starting with the old-​book smell when you walk in. They have extensive fiction and non-​fiction sections, as well as all the rest, and even comic books and some magazines. I love places like this and if I lived in MN I would be here all the time!

Don’t bother coming here for books on performing arts or language.
Or for a friendly welcome from the owner for that matter.