John K. King Books Building - Photos
John K. King Books Building
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These days King says he's content with having over a million books in stock, two stores (the main store on West Lafayette in Downtown Detroit, and a smaller one in the trendy suburb of Ferndale), about a dozen employees, and two dogs who come to work every day.
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The building's exterior in November 2023
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John King Books is the kind of bookstore any bibliophile would love to have in their hometown.
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The store has an industrial warehouse feel and is made up of four above-ground floors.
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A view at Downtown through one of the many alleys
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There is also a collection of rarer and notable items which are kept in an adjacent building, however these are available for viewing by appointment only
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No smoking in plant sign still visible
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Indications that this building was once a glove factory are scattered throughout the building. A large painting of a glove on the structure's facade remains intact.
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Every square inch of the space is utilized to display books
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The bookstore has everything – from fiction, mystical, romance, classics, theatrical and everything in between! Each floor then has a manager that is responsible for the maintenance of the categories kept there.
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