We’re Detroit’s newest used bookstore, and the only one in the city that’s open late. The owner began selling books in 2015 to support their rescue animals. Today, a portion of all sales goes toward our rescue efforts and to support Detroit’s animal rescue organizations.
Detroit Specials Used Books is one of Detroit’s newest bookstores. We’re one of only a few bookstores near the New Center area. We specialize in gently used and new books for all ages. We’re located at 8275 John R in Detroit’s North End, just around the corner from the Detroit People’s Food Co-op. We’re also just a few blocks away from Vault of Midnight: Detroit.
We carry used books for all ages: from fiction to nonfiction, and from poetry to graphic novels. At Detroit Specials you’ll find bargain books in good or better condition. Whether you need a nostalgia fix, want older titles from your favorite author, or are trying to learn more about the world, you’ll find something interesting here.
Right now, “we” is Dora Badger, the owner of Detroit Specials. Dora (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary Mestizo with a lovely partner, an amazing daughter, and a house full of personal and rescue animals.
“We” are also Lily Boots and SPAAACE!, our sweet bookstore cats. They’re both rescues and customer/fan favorites. They often greet customers at the door (or counter).
Someday “we” will be able to hire more people and level up this section a bit.
Dora began selling used books as a way to help support their rescue animals. It has since become their full-time job, but they wanted to find a way to continue giving back to the rescue community to thank them for their support over the years.
We often foster kittens (or cats) through Detroit Alley Cats, a foster-based rescue in SW Detroit. We also occasionally hold single-day or single-weekend events for other rescue organizations, and support other rescue efforts whenever we’re able.
Donations!
Nearly all of the books in our store have been donated by people who are downsizing/cleaning house, or by organizations or institutions that need to make room. This prevents books from going to landfills. It also means we can offer our customers cheap books by controlling costs.
As of 2024 ,we do offer a small store credit for the books we receive. You can learn how to donate books to us and find more information about our store credits here.
We usually ask people with just a few books to drop them off at our store during business hours or to make an appointment to do so. For larger collections within Metro Detroit, we’re happy to come pick them up. More information is at the link below.
Do you have too many books? Please click here to fill out our donation form.
