Shared Dream Used Books

«It’s a hidden gem» is a huge understatement! I spotted the sign from Durand Ave. while walking around one day and decided to go check it out when I had my car. The next day, I drove over to the plaza and could not find the store. I tried using GPS but I just didn’t see the store. Finally, I started driving up to people in the plaza asking where was Shared Dream book store.
I asked at least 6 different people walking around that parking lot. NOBODY had heard of the store! I was about to give up thinking it must be an old sign for a place that used to exist but I decided to ask two more people. They didn’t know. I said, «But there’s a sign right there!» They said, «Well, maybe it’s over where the hair salon used to be.» She pointed and I drove.
Yes! It is near the space where there used to be a hair salon and around the corner from what used to be Kohl’s food store. I just couldn’t believe people who were basically standing next to this place didn’t know it existed! Then again, I asked the clerk inside and was told they’ve been there 10 years and I didn’t know it was there either! I have to have gone by it at least 100 times. Nevertheless, go and find it. It’s worth your time.
Given the inconvenient store hours designed for people who don’t have jobs and the location (tucked behind abandoned retail spaces), I expected dusty old books written solely by Caucasians. What I found was a decent variety of deeply discounted books that kept me searching for about an hour! Only the ones on the back wall were sticky and that could be from humidity. You can get 6 paperbacks for $ 1 and hard cover books for $ 3.99. They even have a section for children’s books and a section for teens. The books are pretty well organized, too.
The website says you get one on one help. I didn’t! The lady sat behind the register without as much as an «Are you finding everything okay?» the entire hour. When I finally asked her a question about Walter Mosely she was knowledgeable though.
Before checking out, I decided to ask if they would maybe buy some books I had or perhaps trade. YUP. I was so pleasantly surprised. I left my books and went to my family’s house hunting for books to trade (tee hee). I didn’t understand the trade process and she really didn’t explain it. I think she assumed I knew the deal. After looking dumb for about 10 minutes and asking lots of repetitive questions, I think I get it. Basically, you bring books and they reference this card to see how much your book is worth. On average, two books get you ½ off of a book you want to buy (about $ 2 off).
Overall, I left the store very excited to have found a place like that in Racine. It is now permanently on my list of places to visit when in the area! I highly recommend locals support the store, too.
Note: There are two places to sit in there but they’re not contemporary, have some tea, enjoy my Feng shui type spaces. They’re more like get it and go!