Frequently Asked Questions
Where is your store located?
We are located at 307 East Grand River Ave. in East Lansing between M.A.C. Ave. and Charles St., directly across from MSU campus. Click here for a map.
Where can I park?
There are several nearby parking options:
View these locations on Google Maps.
Do you validate parking?
We do! Curious Book Shop can provide parking validation for the Albert St. lot or the ramps. We cannot help with metered parking or spaces in the CVS garage on Albert St. However, on-street metered spaces are free on Sundays in East Lansing.
Do you sell textbooks?
Usually not. We often have novels required for English classes, but we're not a textbook store. We generally recommend the Collegeville Textbook Company, located a few doors down from us.
Do you sell comic books?
We have some comics at our store, mostly older back issues. Our classic comics are located on a rack at the end of the front counter, and most of our manga-related items are located upstairs.
How is your store laid out?
Our inventory covers three floors—the main floor, upstairs, and the basement. See store layout.
Do you have a list of the items you carry at the moment?
Not really. The store is organized by genre, with books alphabetical by author or editor. If we have a particular item in stock, one of our helpful staff members can usually help you find it quickly. However, we do have a few thousand of our more collectible items listed in our online inventory.
How do I get upstairs?
Inside the front foyer, before you enter the shop through the main door, there is another door to your left, around the discount cart. If the door is closed, ask at the front desk, and we can usually open the upstairs almost immediately. If the door is already open, you can go right up. The door to the upstairs shop is on the right at the top of the stairs.
Do you buy books?
Yes, selectively. See our book-buying policy.
Do you do appraisals?
If you have items that you wish to have appraised, please call ahead and set up an appointment with the owner, Ray Walsh. There's usually no charge for verbal appraisals that do not require special research(for upto a handful of items). Written appraisals, for valuation, donation, estate or insurance purposes,have a minimum charge of $60. Standard appraisal fees are $50 per hour. Appraisal fees for items requiring research begin at $5 per item and may be more depending on the research time required.
Ray Walsh has performed appraisals for a variety of institutions, including Henry Ford Museum / Greenfield Village, Michigan State University, Burton Historical Collections, and the Detroit Public Library.
Ray is often in the shop on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays after 3:00 PM. Please call during these times to make an appointment.
Do you have other locations?
Yes, we have two other locations.
Archives Book Shop
519 W. Grand River Ave.
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 332-8444
E-mail: archivbk@concentric.net
(Next to GrandRiver Coffee)
Open Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM
Monday-Friday 10 AM - 7 PM
Saturday 11 AM - 6 PM
The Mega Mall
15487 US 27 (Larch Street)
Lansing, MI (two miles south of I-69)
Booth CR-1
Are there other bookshops in Michigan that you recommend?
The 2015 edition of our bookseller directory, published by the Mid-Michigan Antiquarian Book Dealers Association, is now available. This directory lists Michigan dealers specializing in out-of-print, used and rare books. Their primary stock generally consists of old hardback books—many dealers carry remainders, paperbacks, magazines, sheet music, prints or ephemera. Several Michigan book binders are listed at the end of the directory.
For ease of reference, dealers and book binders are listed geographically. Maps indicate approximate regional locations, and an alphabetical index is provided at the end of the directory.
You may obtain a copy free of charge by sending a business-size self-addressed stamped envelope to this address:
Mid-Michigan Antiquarian Book Dealers Association
attn: Directories
307 E. Grand River Ave.
East Lansing, MI 48823
What if I still have questions?
We would be more than happy to answer questions you have. Please give us a call at (517) 332-0112, or send us an email at cbsmail@curiousbooks.com