CITIES
Black Garnet Books
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Minnesota’s only Black-owned bookstore BY MARLEY RICHMOND It only took a viral tweet and a runaway crowdfunding campaign to spark the creation of Minnesota’s only Blackowned bookstore, Black Garnet Books. “Receiving that kind of feedback and also enthusiasm just felt very, very affirming,” said Dionne Sims, owner of the bookstore. Now, four months later, Black Garnet Books continues to thrive. Opening a business alone is a huge endeavor, and a pandemic adds plenty of extra challenges. Speaking on what she struggled with the most, Sims said, “I lacked the ability to go to other bookstores and just kind of, like, move around and see how things are and talk to the booksellers and talk to the owners.” Yet Black Garnet Books is still on its way to becoming a community hub in the Twin Cities. “I feel very strongly that bookstores are political,” Sims said. “[The bookstore] is going to be largely built on what my beliefs are and the future I want to see in Minneapolis.” That future is one in which Sims will be unapologetic in her beliefs as “a very radical, confident Black woman.”
Have You Heard of These Places?
Hidden spaces on campus that you may not have known BY MATTHEW VOIGT If you’ve ever spent any time on campus, you’ve probably gone to the Knoll or the mall. These are great, but they are not the only places on campus to enjoy nature and the University. The following are places that are equally as nice, but not as busy.
For Black Garnet Books to become such a space, Sims reiterated the importance of sustained support: “I guess now that the excitement of supporting Black people has worn off, [that support has] become more critical”—even as media attention shifts away from the Black Lives Matter movement and issues of racial equity.
McNamara Plaza You’ve probably been to this place or at least walked through it. As one of the largest greenspaces on campus, this plaza definitely feels quieter than more trafficked ones. And even if you’re just walking through, it’s a nice shortcut from Stadium Village to the rest of campus. Also, during the warmer months, there are some calming fountains in front of the alumni center and plenty of sitting areas for studying.
Although their pop-up location is closed due to the pandemic, and until a permanent physical location opens this summer, Black Garnet Books is open and ready for orders on Bookshop.org, an online bookseller designed to support independent bookstores. You can check out their page at bookshop.org/shop/blackgarnetbooks.
Northern Pacific Bridge #9 This bridge is one of those places that are enigmatic. It’s out of the way, in a weird place, and every map seems to have a different name for it. Regardless, it’s definitely a place that you should check out because the views from it are great, and it’s also a neat shortcut into downtown and West Bank.
With Sims at its helm, Black Garnet Books promises to continue reflecting the diverse, thoughtful, and revolutionary community that makes up the Twin Cities.
North Entrance to RecWell This is definitely a “this exists?” sort of place. It’s definitely a secret gem, and if you want solitude on campus, this is the place to be. You can also use it as a shortcut to the areas of campus north of University Avenue and take the path behind Williams Arena and then pop out at Mariucci.
To read an extended excerpt of our interview with Dionne—a lovely and honest conversation about all things books—head to wakemag.org.
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THE WAKE
Greenspace between Lind and Keller Lots of people walk by this space and never take the time to enjoy it as a secluded place in the heart of campus. Great for studying or just taking a break whilst also staying close to the heart of campus for an added convenience factor.
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