Michigan Marvel: John King Books has a 'secret,' owner says

2 rmason 3 9/8/2025, 7:06:02 PM detroitnews.com ↗

Comments (3)

rmason · 5h ago
John King books is a major Detroit attraction. His brag about not being computerized is crazy. Can you imagine how many books he could sell online? He does have a website but it looks like it was built in the nineties - https://www.johnkingbooksdetroit.com/

But as Jay Leno learned if you need the repair manual to a ninety year old car this is the place to look. Can't order it by phone, you have to come to Detroit and wander the stacks yourself. Pack a lunch cause there's no in store cafe.

FrankWilhoit · 4h ago
I visited this place in ~2008 and am utterly astounded that it is still in business. Not only does it not have a coffee shop, neither does it have an elevator or climate control. It is certainly unique and very much worth seeing -- once -- but to any appearance, only a very tiny fraction of those million books have been touched by hand or eye since they were first shelved.
al_borland · 4h ago
Good to know about the climate control. I’ve been meaning to check the place out. Sounds like maybe it’s best for me to wait until fall or winter.