8 great Milwaukee bookshops
There was a time when Milwaukee was awash in great bookshops. This is not that time. But don’t fret because there is still a range of great booksellers purveying everything from fine literature to kids classics to cutting edge poetry to political works and more.
Though there are a number of chain shops, I have not included those, nor have I dwelled too heavily on used books, though I have included a few. After you visit these, you might want to delve deeper into some of the other shops – offering mostly pre-owned books.
Happy browsing and reading!
1. Boswell Book Co.
2559 N. Downer Ave., (414) 332-1181
boswell.indiebound.com
The sole remnant of Milwaukee’s long-standing king of Milwaukee bookshops, Harry W. Schwartz, Boswell is owned by former Schwartz buyer Daniel Goldin – recently recognized by the Council for Wisconsin Writers for his decades in the Milwaukee books biz – and located in a former Schwartz location. Goldin’s bookshop is a full-service one with a wide range of titles in every genre and category, a fulsome children’s section, magazines, greeting cards and more. Boswell is also the best place in town for appearances by authors both local and national (and international).
2. Downtown Books
624 N. Broadway, (414) 224-1799
downtownbooksonline.com
One of the best used shops in Milwaukee is located in the heart of Downtown. This shop is especially strong in fiction and literature, but with a wide variety of media in many categories. Perfect for a little lunchtime browsing.
3. The Little Read Book
7603 W. State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 774-2665
littlereadbook.com
Like Boswell, Little Read Book, in Tosa Village, is a general trade bookshop, albeit a smaller one. But the vibe is very neighborhoody and kids love the intimate children’s room, especially when a train thunders past outside the window.
4. Lion’s Tooth
2421 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 445-3498
lionstoothmke.com
Lion’s Tooth specializes in graphic novels for adults and children, fiction and non-fiction books, young adult and teen literature and picture books for young kids. They also have a growing selection of books by local authors, cards, zines, prints, stickers, buttons and apparel.
5. Rainbow Booksellers
5704 W. Vliet St., (414) 774-7205
rainbowbooksellers.com
Since 1981, Rainbow has been Milwaukee’s go-to for kids books. Located in Washington Heights, the shop has a selection that is unique in town, with lots of foreign language, art, multicultural and other books for young readers.
6. Voyageur Book Shop
2212 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 210-3309
Voyageur BookShop is a used book store focused on providing the best selection of used, rare books at a convenient location in Bay View
7. Renaissance Bookshop
General Mitchell International Airport (MKE), 5300 S Howell Ave.
(414) 747-4526
Renaissance, located on the main concourse of the airport is a hit and miss affair. Because it’s a pre-owned bookstore, the inventory is ever-changing, but can often dish up nice surprises. Not to be missed is the local interest section right by the door.
8. Woodland Pattern
720 E. Locust St., (414) 263-5001
woodlandpattern.org
Located in Riverwest, Woodland Pattern is Milwaukee’s epicenter of poetry titles, chapbooks and events, but it also stocks a great selection of small press books, and hosts a broad range of workshops, classes and readings, as well as including avant garde musical performances.
Molly Snyder contributed to this report.
