Book Beat

Book Beat is a full service locally owned independent bookstore serving the Metro Detroit area since 1982. Specializing in Art, Photography, Children's books and quality literature. It is a creative, fun and vibrant multi-cultural bookstore with a wide variety of books, CDs, cards, African sculpture, puppets, games and photographs. There is also a backroom gallery which often displays quality art and photographs. A great resource for teachers, educators, artists, smart kids and independently minded adults, the Book Beat is a fun place to spend an afternoon or evening. Visit us online at thebookbeat.com, open 24 hours a day!

"In pace it's akin to a corner bookseller in London, a mood that encorages lingering among the artworks and greeting cards -- art books and children's literature are specialties." --Hour Detroit, Best of Detroit, 2007

"The store carries a variety of merchandise, such as handbags featuring a picture of artist Frida Kahlo, skeletons created in honor of El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), origami paper and African and Asian art... In the children's section of the store are rows of books as well as a wall of large picture books, many of which are autographed by authors who may have visited the store or appeared at an event hosted by the store. "We work hard to connect with our customers... we want to make a contribution to the community," Kammer said. --Melanie D. Scott, The Detroit Free Press

"Book Beat shelves offer plenty of whimsy to offset any aura of elitism: Micky Mouse flip books, sidewalk chalk, comic books, a micro-movie viewer,and a rubber stamp collection that would be the envy of anyone interested in serious mail art..." --Rebecca Powers "Oak Park's Book Beat is a picture perfect spot to browse", The Detroit News, April 12, 1990.

"a fascinating hodge-podge of old and new books stuffed in narrow aisles, obscure magazines, primitive sculptures, frieghtening African masks, handmade musical instruments... Together Loren and his wife Colleen Kammer, have built the Book Beat into a Metro Detroit institution by offering knowledge, service, and an emphasis on subjects such as art, photography and children's literature.... as an independent bookstore, the Book Beat belongs to a shrinking breed..." -- Joy Colby,- The Detroit News