From our perspective, there’s always been something a little bit magical about Literati Bookstore. From the day (a year ago now!) that we learned there was a new store coming to our block, to the day we learned it would be a BOOK store, to the day we first set foot in this new, lovely bookstore, we’ve been pinching ourselves. It seemed almost too good to be true! Not only a new neighbor for our space in downtown Ann Arbor, but a true kindred spirit.
Located just around the corner from 826michigan, at Fourth and Washington in downtown Ann Arbor, Literati Bookstore is a book lover’s dream. Stocked with a huge variety of lovingly chosen titles, new releases and classics alike, and host to an ever-growing number of literary events, Literati Bookstore is also just a beautiful place. The black and white floor tiles! The window display! The friendly staff! It’s a literary oasis in already quite-literary town.
Of course, we know that the magic of Literati is not magic at all but the hard work of its owners, Hilary and Mike Gustafson. We already loved the Gustafsons, but then they answered a general call when we announced that our beloved car (the 826-Mobile) had met an end. As an organization conducting a huge (and multiplying!) number of off-site programs to which we need to transport volunteers, a car is increasingly necessary to us at 826michigan. The Gustafsons donated to us their 2002 Buick Century, which they (and now we) lovingly call “the couch car” because of its large, comfy seats. We’ve already put the couch car to good use transporting volunteers to public schools and libraries all over Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and will continue to do so throughout the school year and into the summer.
Suffice to say, we’re incredibly glad that Literati Bookstore came to town and we look forward to many more years of collaboration with them! We asked Mike and Hilary a few questions about reading, creativity, and life in our town.