Birchbark Books & Native Arts

I've been meaning to visit for years, and finally made it. Small but really thoughtful collection of books and gifts. Probably most comprehensive selection of books by and about Native Americans in the Twin Cities. I also appreciated that the fiction was not segregated by genre. It may seem counterintuitive, but somehow it made the whole browsing experience more enjoyable. Lots of little details make this shop feel cozy and comfortable, and I will definitely be back.

Bought two books, a puzzle, several cards and an awesome sticker that looks just like my old bicycle from the 70s. There is also a lovely selection of jewelry. The shop was so inviting from the outside and smelled wonderful inside. The employees were helpful and funny. Good luck finishing War and Peace for the book club.

I have been wanting to visit Birchbark Books ever since the book club at the coffee shop my husband and I own read The Sentence last year. We finally made it up to MN this weekend and this bookstore did not disappoint! We were immediately greeted by Louise's lovely daughter, Palace. She apparently also has a dog named Kara who they have a painting of in the shop (you can see me posing with her!). This shop has an amazing selection of Indigenous books — it was so hard to choose what to get! Oh, and the confessional from The Sentence is in the shop which is great. I am really looking forward to coming back to this shop.

We love Birchbark Books! Their event space & shipping center are located just up the alley from the coffee shop. We feel lucky that they donate books they can't sell to our FREE little library located in our cafe. How cool is that!?

I ordered a book for my partner for a Christmas gift. It was important to us both that we support a small business. I promptly received an e-mail letting me know that they would order a new copy for me, as they were out of stock at the store, and would send it directly to my home. The peace of mind was definitely appreciated!! I will definitely be ordering from this store again.

Always wanted to see this book store. Beautiful facility, wonderful collection of adult and children's books. Many native authors. Louise Erdrich's works are featured!

Stunning! A cute place that is inclusive and has so many indigenous book recs from F to NF covering every genre. I love the art, the vibes, the community. I need to frequent this place 🫶🏼

I finally had a chance to make my pilgrimage to this esteemed bookstore, after wanted to get here for years. It was worth the wait! This is one of those charmed independent bookstore in which every title is a must-read. The shelves are full of the very best books of every genre. Close your eyes and grab ANY book off the shelf and you'll go home with a memorable read.

Such a special bookstore with many thoughtful touches and offerings of Native American books, arts and decorations. I knew about this place from the author/owner and was happy to pay this place a visit. The staffs are kind and helpful, and I like the selection for fiction/non fiction and notes they offer. They also have a bunch of kids books and upper deck for kids I think. The bookstore feels very calming and patrons are also kind and respectful.

Birchbark had a good selection of books about the Native and Indigenous populations in the US. We stopped here on a stop in the 2024 Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. If you are looking for specialized reading about Native tribes or books written by Natives, Birchbark is the best place in value and variety! The shopkeepers at the counter left us alone but weren't unfriendly as we perused the books. One thing I thought was interesting was the Christian church decor (i.e., pews, Virgin Mary icons, etc.), but that might have just been me. This is a great specialized bookstore for readers looking for Native-based reads!

I visited Minneapolis with a friend for Memorial Day weekend, and we're both big readers and love to visit and support independent bookstores. When we were planning our weekend, we knew we had to stop at Birchbark! Owned by Native American author Louise Erdrich, Birchbark is committed to stocking Indigenous American authors and titles and has an amazing selection of books and other items! I loved visiting the store. It's tiny (and a little cramped) but lovely. Definitely check it out. Support your local independent bookstores (stepping off my soapbox now)!

Wonderful, quaint bookstore with a focus on Indigenous American culture, art and of course books. The owner is author Louise Erdrich, and there is a section dedicated to her many, beautifully written books. The staff are very friendly and I have appreciated their recommendations. Shop local!

Excellent & unusual selection of books with thoughtful staff recommendations. Beautiful inside & out, plants & free seed library out front. Loved the confessional & wood decor inside. There's also art and beautiful jewelry. In addition to 4 books ( would've bought more if it fit in my luggage) I bought sage & sweetgrass lotion & mist.

Whenever I need a present, this is one of the first places I go. I recently came here looking for 2 baby gifts & was reminded how charming this place is. I was so comfortable that I even lost track of time and found I'd been here for over an hour just looking around. This is a Native-woman-owned business, by none other than the award-winning author, Louise Erdrich. I think the store reflects that it's owned by a writer herself and has books you can't find other places. You'll also find a lot of local authors being spotlighted. Birchbark also has an amazing children's book section with the diversity & representation that 99% of other book stores lack. All the staff were very friendly and helpful too. My one additional tip is that it's super easy to purchase books online or over the phone too. Get them delivered right to you if you don't have time to browse, know the exact book you want, or need to bulk order. I've done multiple large orders for work and ordered single books delivered to my home. I've also ordered notebooks, greeting cards, and Native food things for staff prizes too. This bookstore is a gem for the Twin Cities so let's make sure we keep it that way and keep supporting them. Hopefully see you here, losing track of time together!

I think Birchbark might be my quintessential bookstore. Beautiful old building with hardwood floors that creak in a satisfying way, aging stuffed armchairs speckled amongst the shelves, books on every surface possible, handwritten recommendations taped across the shelves, it's the kind of bookstore you see in really good movies. Now that I'm a mama, the children's section actually holds a lot of interest for me now and I absolutely loved Birchbark's selection. The kid corner is decorated with a lovely nature theme, and so many of the books offer insight into Native American history and cultures. I was thrilled they had such a wide variety of boards books, as that's all my bumble bee can handle right now. The other sections are fascinating as well, I can't wait to come back and really dive into their cookbook collection. I've been meaning to read "The Night Watchmen" so I picked up a signed copy. Really exciting that Erdrich owns the store! Would love to come back for a reading. After paying for my books I slyly checked and yep: they tucked a bookmark in my paperback. All the best bookstores do that. Small tip: I used their bathroom and definitely flipped the lock, but apparently that doesn't do anything as someone opened the door while I was mid pee. Thankfully I softly screamed a bunch of stuff and they retreated. Make sure someone stands guard for you if you relieve yourself.

What an amazing store. Every book that they had out I wanted to read. Wonderful staff to.

I love independent bookstores, and this is one of the best. They are warm, friendly and knowledgeable. The place has a wonderfully eclectic range of books, with a focus on native american topics, but lots of other cool stuff as well. They are very kid friendly, with a cool little nook and a loft where kids are allowed/encouraged to sit and read to their heart's content. Highly recommended.

My favorite bookstore in Minnesota. Perfectly curated selection of books. Friendly staff.

This is an amazing and adorable local bookstore. I always stop here after eating next door, but I would recommend coming here for gifts anytime. This is a place for kids and adults to come and lose yourself in books! Last time I was here, a father was up in the treehouse reading a book to his daughter. Along the bookshelves you will find a suggestions and recommendations from staff. I was in awe of the front table, where many books were for little girls written to feel empowered. My fav section was the Food Writing! Also take time to look at the jewelry, food/syrup, and dream catchers. The staff here are kind and helpful. Support this local bookstore!

It's right by a good restaurant - so glad and blessed to find this spot after dining in Kenwood. The employees are very friendly and helpful and we chatted about the writer owner, another famous writer in Minneapolis, and the operations of independent bookstores. Then she asked me if I were a writer. I responded without thinking, I write, but I am not a famous writer, yet. We both laughed.;)

Wanted to go here on a short trip to the cities and I was not disappointed. Found many new reads as well as some teaching cards on treaty rights and some language flashcards. Such a beautiful bookstore and so many hard to find items I got to buy from an independent seller.

Wonderful, cozy bookstore with a well-curated selection of books. I could've spent hours browsing. Lots of books relating to Native American culture and supporting indigenous authors. So happy to support a unique small business!

Birchbark is small, but I could get "lost" in there for hours. I decided to poke around here after eating (demolishing) my lunch at The Kenwood. When I entered, I probably sounded like someone's grandma, being all like "Oh how cuuute! What a PRECIOUS place!". The store is filled with beautiful art pieces, string lighting, and birch branches. It feels very cozy yet not cluttered. I was so excited to start exploring. Birchbark has a wide array of totally gift-able items, no matter their age or interest. I came across wonderful books, hand-crafted items, cultural relics, local food items, and toys. I love that there are a lot of "Staff Pick" notes, which are all insightful and thoughtfully written. It is very kid (and Kara) friendly, with their "Hobbit Hole" and "treehouse" play areas. My new Birchbark Christmas list: "The Food Lab", "The Dust That Falls From Dreams", Northland pure maple syrup with local wild rice pancake mix, and handmade dreamcatcher. Done. I purchased a really cool book for my boyfriend for Christmas. I can't wait to give it to me, I mean him.

This bookstore is a real gem. At first I came here with some misgivings as to whether or not I would truly enjoy it, but enjoy it I did. The bookstore is small but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. Most of the books are centric around Native Americans, which is always great to see. They had a small YA and children's section, with two shelves of graphic novels(slightly disappointing to me as a manga fan, but not everything can be perfect). All of the books in that bookstore were diverse(lots of different books with racial, religious, gender, and sexuality-related themes, which is always pleasant to see). There were many feminist books in there, as well as books dispelling toxic masculinity as well as books about racial in/equality. My general impression of the layout of the store is that it was like all good bookstores should be: a winding place you could get lost in. There were plenty cushy places to sit and pore through your tomes, despite the smallness of the space. I didn't spend a lot of time interacting with the staff, but what limited time I spent with them they seemed to be very helpful and kind. Two girls came into the store and they and the woman at the register bantered back and forth, which was very fun to see. It definitely seems like a community-type bookstore. I would definitely return and spend more time in there. It was a great place with fantastic atmosphere and a place welcoming of all backgrounds, a welcoming environment for all readers.

I am so pleased with every book I get from here. Its so hard to stick the number of books I planned on buying, but that's just always beings me back with a list ready for next time. It's a pretty small place but it's so cozy and people are always friendly about letting you through the aisles. Great place to invest your money into a community that deserves it and get a great read while you're at it!

Amazing bookstore! I ordered a book online seamlessly and the package was delivered promptly without any issue. I was also touched to find a sweet handwritten note accompanying my book. Love!

Gem of an indie bookstore. Thoughtfully curated selections of best sellers and books off the beaten path. They have robust collections of non fiction, poetry, essays and novels by Native American authors. Great selection of progressive memoirs in the feminism and religion sections. Great juvenile section that is merchandised in a way that draws children in and excites them about selecting a new book. Perfect spot to buy someone a special gift.

Erdrich is a national treasure. This shop is one of the most special places I've visited. You really get the feelings of the author behind every book sold here. They were completely selected by her. Books on topics as far ranging as astronomy, young adult, poetry, history, conservation, Native sociology. It's like you are in her library. What a mind. What a sense of humor she has. "1001 questions you were afraid to ask about...." She is not preachy at all in making her choices visible to all who care. I am reminded how being well read is the only solace we can have given all the displacements, removal, slavery, killings. All her books are there, of course. And also the German, Spanish, and many other translations. Spend a couple of hours here. The best thing to do in Minneapolis, besides visiting Prince's house.

Delightful bookstore with a tastefully decorated interior. Current books, unusual books, gift items, and stationery. Staff picks with comments are great posted with the books. Friendly staff as well. Definitely recommend a visit. You should walk out with something to take home and treasure.

I didn't know it when I walked in, but this bookstore is owned by Louise Erdrich! It's a labor of love and a public service, as she doesn't make a profit off the store. It shows through the staff, who were so friendly and one woman in particular was great at giving recommendations. Naturally they carry all of her books. The first thing I noticed was the heavenly smell. It made me think of hay and fresh wood. I love how they have special little nooks and crannies with comfy chairs for browsing through their amazing, well-curated selection of books that includes classics like Dostoyevsky, lots of female authors, and sections devoted to Native authors.

The most amazing collection of Native authors! I discovered games, classroom materials, curriculum guides and more. I spent w-a-y too much but it was oh so worth it! And then haVe a coffee or brunch next door. Pleas for 2-3 hours of geeking out on the books you thought only exiSted in your dreams.

I don't think there are enough words in the English language to allow me to express my love for Birchbark. I have been going there since it opened several years ago, and remain totally in awe of the community it promotes. Their selection of books is rich and eclectic. They carry by FAR the best selection of Native authors and Native literature in at least the state, if not the country, yet also carry an incredible selection of all books non-Native. I end up wandering the aisles and picking up books I never knew existed, on topics I never thought to explore, surrounded by the sweet aromas of sage and sweetgrass. Susan somehow seems to know everything about everything; she genuinely wants to help you find at Birchbark what inspires you, challenges you, and heals you. The atmosphere itself is soothing, with a birchbark alcove, big open windows, and smiling faces that make you feel you've been transported away from the hustle and bustle of daily life into a place where intellectual exploration is cultivated, where caring for our earth and for each other is encouraged, and where inspiration comes easily. I honestly don't know what I would do without Birchbark, Susan, and all of the other people who have made the store possible. I will buy all of my books here, because, when I do, I continue to support the community, intellectual traditions + explorations (Native and non-Native alike), and the wonderful people who have created Birchbark.

It was so great finally coming here and being Erdrich's fan for so many years! I was visiting from ND and my friend and I decided to visit this bookstore. I love the notes the staff have with their book picks. There is such a good variety of books to browse we were there for a while. It is very cool that there is an entire section of autographed Erdrich novels, too! I'll make it a habit to stop here every time I visit Minneapolis.

I was skeptical I'd find anything at Birchbark Books because I knew the owner is noted Native American author Louise Erdrich, so I imagined the store would only have Native American authors, new age books, and perhaps a selection of dream catchers. Yay! I was wrong! Yes, there is a selection of Native American arts and overpriced bags of wild rice, and the music they were playing the day I was in the store was new-agey, but the book selection is terrific. Not only do they have a lovely selection of little kid thru YA books, but the adult book selection is impressive as well. The fiction section is selective and small (it's a small store; they had to skimp somewhere), but the tables up front and the political/social sections are terrific. I saw many books whose authors I had seen interviewed by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, as well as books that I'd heard reviewed on NPR. I could have easily walked out of there with 10 books that looked interesting, but I limited myself to one (I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak, who wrote The Book Thief. He's considered YA, but grownups should read his stuff, too. He's amazing). Birchbark is definitely worth the visit if you're around south Minneapolis. I'd especially recommend stopping in if you want to find a unique book for a child.

What a fabulous find! This is a neat bookstore with a Native American focus that also carries carefully selected books for all ages. Books are displayed with hand written notes for staff picks for books. The two ladies at the store were very helpful when I went in there for the first time - helping me choose 3 kids' books. Accuracy is a significant criterion in their selection of Native American books for children. They gift-wrapped the books for me too!

I used to live across from this place and never visited it all that often. Why is that? I have no idea. But I find myself going much more now that I'm not a stone's throw away. It's everything a local bookstore should be. Friendly, passionate employees. Great selections of books that are expertly curated. Not the least bit pretentious or snooty. There is a Native American theme here, and they have author readings/signings quite frequently. Keep in mind, although it is Native American themed, there is a wide range of books from all categories. Many you won't find anywhere else! I'm not going to play the "support your local bookstores" guilt card. You shouldn't support a place that isn't good. This place, however is GREAT, and deserves all of its accolades. It's very close to Lake of the Isles, I highly recommend you check it out whenever you are in the area. At least once. You won't regret it.

Bookstores like BIrchbark make me want to be a better, more voracious reader. Everytime I go there I see great books by my favorite authors, books that are on my to-read list and get fantstic suggestions by patrons and staff alike. This place has a really good energy about it. I could spend hours and hours browsing and buying books here. Come here and you will support local business, a local author and will leave with a smile on your face and an expanded library.

This bookstore has become my favorite in the Twin Cities and I make a point to stop by at least monthly. It's the perfect mix of literature, culture, and customer service! The staff is always friendly and helpful especially at directing me to books I might not have otherwise discovered. They all take great pride in reading the books they recommend and provide descriptive, hand-written reviews. This bookstore carries all the classics as well as the current best-sellers and popular favorites. The children's section is not to be missed. They also offer a great selection of gifts that seem to perfectly represent Minneapolis, Minnesota, and regional interests all created by local artisans. It's my go-to for all holiday and birthday shopping. When you visit, you're also supporting small, local, and independent business. Enjoy!

When my mother and I need an attitude adjustment, book buying is the tried-and-true cure. So today we hopped on her pink scooter and zipped around Lake of the Isles to her favorite spot, Birchbark Books. We arrived there with exactly five minutes before closing time. In that five minutes, I got a money recommendation (Let the Great World Spin), found a darling pro-independent media t-shirt for $5, and spontaneously purchased a well-placed copy of Just Kids by Patty Smith. Additionally, the friendly woman behind the counter arranged for the shop to order a copy of Savage Beauty for me for my birthday. This place smells divine. It has little nooks and crannies to get lost in, and enough books to keep a bibliophile busy for a lazy few hours of browsing.

I came here one day while spending the day with a librarian who wanted to check it out. I like going to book stores, so I was down with coming here. Birchbark is a quaint little book store snuggled in a residential area of Minneapolis. The store has a unique feel or ambience to it, so that was cool - definitely not the sterile Barnes and Noble environment Im used to. They had some interesting books and they made good use of their space. So overall, I did like the place. The one downside to it is that it is a small store. This creates 2 problems. First, there's very little room to maneuver around inside the store. Second, it's not just that they don't have the selection larger stores have, its that there are entire sections this store does not have. For example, I do not recall seeing any travel books at this store. With that said, its a good place to come and browse, and if you find something you like, that's great.

What a difference a day makes. The book buyer contacted me, and put a happy ending to this online order mishap: They are sending me a complimentary copy of the book that I attempted to order. Wow -- I did not expect that... This elegant response makes me think that if you live in or near Minneapolis, you should stop by...small bookstores are a rare and unique species and who knows what good things you might find! (I certainly did today...all the way in San Francisco!)

I came here about 20 minutes before closing just browsing for nothing in particular. I immediately loved the store due to all the staff pics posted around. However upon closer inspection I couldn't find hardly ANY of the staff pics in the area where they were posted. Then after being told they were closing soon and I had yet to find a book I asked for a recommendation based on another book. I was told to try the authors other book, which is ok, but I was hoping for a different author along the same lines.

We love Birchbark Books. Yes, it has a Native American focus, but it's really just a comfortable bookstore (connected to the Kenwood Cafe) where kids and grownups can go to browse a rather awesome collection of thoughtfully selected books. If we're looking for something in particular that they don't have, they are available and very helpful in ordering and tracking the order; notifying us when it comes in (we can be forgetful - young kids do that to you).

Really wanted to like this independent bookstore. An eclectic selection, heavily oriented toward local and regional titles and of course Native American books, items, etc. I had five books in hand at the register when I visited on Feb. 15, however, the girl behind the counter just sat there playing on her cell phone for... one minute.... two minutes... three minutes... not looking up, just enthusiastically thumbing at whatever texting or gaming she was up to. I decided that, rather than be the loud grumbler, I'd just put one book back on the nearest display table at intervals until I had none left, at which point I would walk out -- apart from the Native stuff, there's nothing here that you absolutely couldn't buy elsewhere. Well, the checkout girl did eventually look up, so she saved a sale of the two books I had left, but if anyone notices a stack of three unrelated books kind of "out of place" on a table near the register, those are the sales this store lost.

There is a wonderful array of materials to choose from! The staff is friendly and helpful. I would make this a stop if looking for books, gifts, or supporting a local business!

Birchbark might be a really small book store, but I think its amazing! It has so many different types of books there, sometimes I just want to sit on the big chair there and stay there forever. If they don't have a book you can order it from them and it will be there within a week! They also sell Native american jewlery and CD's. The owner is an author herself, and sells her books at the store! The staff are super nice too!

Wonderful, little neighborhood independent bookstore with great selection of current bestsellers as well as Native American books.

This is the best bookstore if you want to see some really interesting and worthwhile books to read. Of course that sounds prejudice but I really don't want to go to other big chains to see the same old same old. The owner is a fabulous author and has all her books there as well ---which I've read every one of them. I've always considered her to be a great author and enjoy all her characters. I'm waiting for Incident at Little Horse creek to become a movie. It would be fantastic....but aside from her books I run around and look at the tags indicating which books she recommends and immediately put them on my "to read" list. i have not been disappointed yet. Authors I am familiar with are well represented and many Native American works are carried as well. I feel she has picked the best of many authors works. Sometimes she doesn't carry all of an author's works which indicates a selection process of which I totally am in agreement with. It's small quaint and comfortable with a staff that is there to help with any and all questions. In addition many fine gifts are available even sweet grass!! If you love to read but not always the questionable popular books, this is the place to go.

Birchbark is wonderful, just wonderful. The smells, sounds and look of the place are just so soothing and comfy (and this is coming from someone with sensory issues) when I walk in, the dog Dharma is a real sweetie, Susan and Carolyn are fun, funny, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. They have a quirky, eclectic book selection that covers all the bases and then some (much of what they have I've never seen in storefronts anywhere else in Minnesota), and their Native studies and fiction sections get extra kudos. In case my thoroughly-effusive review hasn't tipped you off, I kinda like Birchbark. ;p