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Tales of a Junk Store AddictOct 15 '02 (Updated Oct 18 '02) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line The best places to shop for books and videos and other assorted junk.
I love used bookstores, flea markets, thrift stores, antique shops, garage sales - anywhere I can sift through stuff and find buried treasure. I could lose myself in them all day. Give me a nice leisurely Saturday and about a hundred bucks - I'll be in heaven. Books, old videos (especially horror and B movies), LP's, comics, leftist newspapers, weird paintings, old furniture and jewelery. All treasure to me. I'll buy them all if I can! Some of the best hangouts in Des Moines, Iowa: Lawson Books (E.6th and Grand Ave.) ----------------------------------- This place has a nice, independantly owned look and feel to it and is housed in an interesting building in the older part of downtown. Neat rows of books line the walls and shelves from the floor to the high ceilings. Everything is super-organized and clean and no overpowering smell of musty, old books to be detected anywhere. There is an area where you can sit and read, chat, or play chess which is completely surrounded by windows offering a view of downtown Des Moines. The owner was very friendly and greeted us warmly, made small talk, and even offered my friends a cup of coffee for which he was just grinding beans. I think I know how it feels to be a heroin junkie because, when I smell fresh coffee beans, I turn into one of Pavlov's dogs. Unfortunately, Lawson's didn't have a lot of books that interest me. The books that did capture my attention were in the $15-20 range. I prefer to pay around $5-10 for used books unless it is something I've been forever looking for. I did pick up a ragged copy of "The Second Sex" by Simone de Beauvoir (companion of Jean Sartre) for 50 cents and on the recommendation of my friend Hal. The owner made favorable remarks about my taste in literature (thanks Hal) and added that they don't make it a habit to sell books in such poor condition, but they made an exception for this title. Would I go back? Oh yes! Half Price Books (8801 University Ave., Clive) ---------------------------------------------- This one's in the 'burbs, but by far my favorite bookstore in (Greater) Des Moines. It is a chain store, but on a smaller scale than Borders and Barnes and Noble and it is chock full of great deals! Nothing too fancy here as far as ambience, just tons and tons of books, records, CD's, videos, magazines, and fanzines. The prices are outstanding - you can get new books in the $5-10 range and the selection is top notch. I've never gone in here and thought, "Well...there's just nothing here I really want to buy...". There are tables with new arrivals displayed on top and on shelves underneath, the walls are lined floor to ceiling with books, and each section is divided by a shelf lined with books on both sides. They also have a very nice children's section with benches where children can sit and read and most items are displayed at eye-level and within reach. They always have fun bookmarks and puppets and things. My kids love coming here. I browsed the clearance books, new arrivals, and music and art sections and opted on a book titled "The Orton Diaries" edited by John Lahr. This book is the journal of the last eight months of the life of Joe Orton. Orton was a 1960's, comic playwright who was compared to Oscar Wilde and was murdered by his companion for sixteen years, Kenneth Halliwell. Strange thing about me is that I actually read more about theater than I have ever attended. Would I go again? In a heartbeat! The Fallout Shelter (E.30th & Grand Ave) --------------------------------------------- I haven't even been here yet, but thought I should bring up this punk rock collective and book store fairly new to Des Moines' East Side (where I live). I stopped by once, but they were closed. Will definitely be going back to check things out. They have a sign in their front window proclaiming, "War Is Terrorism" and I have to say, I agree. ZZZ Records (East Grand Ave - Downtown) ----------------------------------------------- I don't go here as often as I should, but my husband is a regular customer. Believe it or not, the only independently owned record store in Des Moines. We used to have a handful, but they all shut down when Best Buy came around. I'm happy to report, this place seems to be thriving. One of our local "alternative" newspapers even carries the Top Ten Record Sales At ZZZ for the week and the last time a friend of mine was in here, he saw Henry Rollins. Collectamania (East Euclid Ave) --------------------------------------- This place is like a big huge garage sale. Booths set up selling all manner of crap from collectables to old records to videos, furniture, paintings, etc. The place is just full-up with mostly junk, but it's fun to dig through it! My kids collect PEZ and Matchbox Cars and Barbies and all manner of things so they have fun here too. This flea market is in an old lumber supply building and vast. You can easily lose yourself in this maze. Planned Parenthood Book Sale (Fairgrounds) -------------------------------------------------- This once-a-year, week long event (usually in late September), is a virtual gold mine for book and record aficionados. It costs $10 admission if you attend the first night, free admission for the remainder of the event. We usually end up with a box or two full of books and records. This year, I didn't indulge in too much - a couple of paperbacks - but my daughter got nearly all of the Judy Blume books, which she's totally into right now, and my husband got a few interesting records. Those are some of the places you can find me on any given weekend! If you've never gone "junk store shopping" or browsing the used books, I suggest you give it a try. Some of my most interesting and fun possessions have come from places like this! Believe it or not, I started this opinion in April of 2001 and just finished it! Hmm, not the most prolific writer around, but I do what I can. ;)  |
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