City: Minneapolis, MN

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (612) 822-4611

Address: 3038 Hennepin Ave.

Description: A couple of decades ago, the Twin Cities were the envy of the country for their independent bookstore scene, with titans like the Hungry Mind and Odegard Books stocking their shelves generously and intelligently, and bringing everyone who was anyone to read their work. That time is sadly past (the Hungry Mind and Odegard, among others, are now closed), but Magers & Quinn stands as the best reminder of what those days were like. The Twin Cities’ biggest and best independent bookstore, Magers & Quinn is a hub of literary activity in the heart of the Uptown action. It sponsors more events and readings than any other store in town, and partners with bars and theaters to promote multiple public book clubs. Enjoy it while it lasts: The proprietors just had to lay off their full-time event planner (David Unowsky, former owner of the Hungry Mind), and recent history suggests that even the best independent bookstores can be surprisingly fragile.