Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

John K. King Books Building - Photos (interior)

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.

John King Books is the kind of bookstore any bibliophile would love to have in their hometown.

Photo from May. 21, 2022

The store has an industrial warehouse feel and is made up of four above-ground floors

A view of Downtown through one of the many alleys

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

No smoking in plant sign still visible

Photo from May. 21, 2022

Every square inch of the space is utilized to display books

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.

Photo from May. 21, 2022

Photo from May. 21, 2022