Birchbark Books, also known by its full name, Birchbark Books & Native Arts, is an independent bookstore in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the Kenwood neighborhood. Selling both books and works of art, it was founded by Pulitzer Prize–winning Native American novelist Louise Erdrich in 2001.
| Industry | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States[1] |
Areas served | Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area |
| Products | |
| Owner | Louise Erdrich[1] |
| Website | birchbarkbooks |
History
editLouise Erdrich founded the bookstore in 2001 as a "a tiny general-interest shop with a concentration in Native American or Indigenous writing: fiction, poetry, history, politics, food, memoir and material that supports Indigenous language revitalization, particularly the Ojibwe and Dakota languages." The bookstore also sells pieces handcrafted by indigenous artists, such as baskets, beadwork, and jewelry, while also showcasing indigenous craftsmanship in its construction, from its hanging canoe to its building made from cedar wood and birch logs.[2][3]
In 2011, when the bookstore's neighboor, Kenwood Café, closed down, Birchbark Books saw sales plummet, after which Erdrich questioned whether she could still sustain her bookstore. Thanks to a community effort from customers and neighbors, however, Erdrich was able to raise enough money to sustain Birchbark Books temporarily until business resumed as normal in the neighborhood.[4]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bookstore closed its storefront and instead fulfilled online orders. Southwest Voices reported that the bookstore's sales "skyrocketed" after 2020. To help with fulfillment, the bookstore occupied a space near Loring Corners, a building near Loring Park and the Walker Art Center. Three years later, in 2023, the bookstore permanently established a space in Loring Corners called Birchbark Bizhiw or Birchbark Lynx, which is dedicated to events for indigenous authors and artists.[5] Past authors and artists include Monique Gray Smith, Carole Lindstrom, and Sky Hopinka.[6] Products from indigenous companies—such as Native Wisdom Skincare, Makwa Studio, Romona Farms and Seka Hills—and local artists are sold.[7]
An events space, Birchbark Books has hosted authors like Angela Davis, Tommy Orange, Gerald Vizenor, Marcie Rendon, Teresa Peterson, Diane Wilson, and others.[6][8][9][10][11] The bookstore has also collaborated with galleries and churches to showcase indigenous art.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Egerstrom, Lee (8 April 2023). "Birchbark Books opens second store for expanding business". The Circle News. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ La Force, Thessaly (April 21, 2022). "Writer Louise Erdrich Walking to Her Bookstore". The New York Times.
- ^ Wigdahl, Heidi (2019-04-27). "'Birchbark Books' celebrates Independent Bookstore Day". kare11.com. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Souder, William (2012-06-01). "Hard Times For Hardcovers". Twin Cities Business. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Schuster, Christine (2023-02-14). "Minneapolis' Birchbark Books to open Loring Park events space". Bring Me The News. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ a b Koenning, Anna (May 3, 2023). "Birchbark Books opens event space in Loring Corners to showcase Native authors". www.southwestvoices.news. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ a b Egerstrom, Lee (2023-04-08). "Birchbark Books opens second store for expanding business | The Circle News". Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Tommy Orange | Friends of the Hennepin County Library". www.supporthclib.org. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Gerald Vizenor at Birchbark Books". Wesleyan University Press. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Regan, Sheila (2024-07-10). "Birchbark Book launch event for Marcie Rendon's new book". MinnPost. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "PERENNIAL CEREMONY launch event at Birchbark Books with Teresa Peterson and Diane Wilson". University of Minnesota Press. Retrieved 2024-11-07.