Gabriel's awning mounted above the door—on Nov. 30, 2023. Photo by Elise Lockner

A trove teeming with books, a heart for community, a story made of stories—that is Gabriel’s Bookstore.

A crisp, green awning juxtaposed with the old brick building it’s mounted on greets customers right off of East Superior Street. Inside, a pocket of community welcomes all who come through their door to peruse their shelves of used books.

The store is completely run by volunteers who are eager to help and connect with people. They form what feels like a tight-knit and caring community among the rows and rows of books.

“It feels like Cheers,” said Ann Jorgensen, volunteer manager of Gabriel’s, “you know, when George comes in and everyone’s like ‘George!’”

Meta Cibaric, an occasional volunteer and a freshman honor student at UMD, shares the sentiment.

“All the people are so friendly,” she remarked.

Of all the characteristics of the bookstore, friendliness and generosity stand out. Teachers, including homeschooling parents and students going into education, may fill a bag of books for free. Children also get a special deal: two free books when they visit, until they turn 18. The deal extends to expecting parents as well.

They want to make sure people know the “importance of parents reading to their kids,” said Jorgensen.

The volunteers also do their best to make sure the store is able to stay open during holidays to provide a calm, quiet space for those who need a retreat during the hectic seasons. Classical, low-volume music, warm light and large comfy chairs lend themselves to the cause of decompression.

One of the quiet places to read, set up by the volunteers—on Nov. 30, 2023. Photo by Elise Lockner

While Gabriel’s cares deeply about its clientele, it lends a hand to the community on a larger scale by donating books to places and people in need. The county jail’s library is a place that regularly receives books from the store. The library takes requests from inmates on what kinds of books they would like to read and a selection from Gabriel’s is brought over. Other places that receive donations from the store include the Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission and the Damiano Center.

The generosity of Gabriel’s has inspired and affected others, and not just locals. It has welcomed people from Wisconsin, Illinois and Kentucky who want to donate their books. One year, a family from Maryland made a stop at the store during their cross-country RV trip and donated seven boxes of their own books. They have been regular book donors since.

Children jump in on the action too.

“We hear more kids comment to their parents, asking ‘can I go home and donate my books?’” said Jorgensen.

She adds that it’s a gratifying experience working and being a part of the bookstore.

“It’s kind of our safe, fun place to be,” she said.

Gabriel’s Bookstore: A Haven of Community