A New Dog-Friendly Bookstore and Coffee Shop Just Opened in Minneapolis, So I Had to Visit

I love places that offer combinations of my favorite things, like books and beer, coffee and dogs, coffee and beer - you get the idea. Well, in February 2025, a spot opened in Minneapolis that does just that: a dog-friendly bookstore with an excellent coffee shop. When I heard about it, of course, I just had to pop in for a visit to Inkwell Booksellers Company, the newest independent bookstore and coffee shop in Minnesota.

You'll find Inkwell Booksellers on the border of northeast and southeast Minneapolis, where Central and Hennepin Avenues cross each other. On one recent afternoon, I invited my college-aged daughter to meet me there for some coffee and to have a look around. Walking in, we were impressed by the high ceilings and all the bright, natural light: The two-story space is wrapped in windows.

Inkwell's coffee shop is no mere courtesy counter, either. It offers a full menu of made-to-order coffee beverages, as well as teas, sodas, and other drinks. A good selection of bakery items was also on hand. I ordered my usual iced cold brew, my daughter opted for a matcha, and we decided to share a croissant to snack on while we explored. When we ordered, the barista asked if our order was for eat-in or take-out, and I was super pleased with the sturdy glassware my drink came in - it's always nice not to drink out of plastic if you ask me.

The cold brew was bold and not at all watery (a problem I often encounter when trying new coffee shops). My daughter gave the matcha a thumbs-up, and we both enjoyed the croissant, which was just right: crispy and flaky outside, soft and tender inside.

On the book side, the shop manages to offer a surprisingly large selection without making the space feel crowded. You'll find everything you'd expect, from fiction and nonfiction to graphic novels and children's books. Inkwell also offers plenty of other merchandise, like notebooks, t-shirts, and mugs. One thing that we thought was particularly cool was the shop's counter dedicated to pens and calligraphy (living up to its name). If you can't make it into the store, you can always order online from Inkwell's Bookshop.org page.

You'll also find plenty of comfortable seating throughout the shop. The main seating area contains a couple of sofas and several soft, comfortable chairs. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee and a book on a lazy day. As I mentioned earlier, Inkwell Booksellers is dog-friendly, and even if you don't bring your own pup, you can still lavish some attention on the shop's ambassador dog, Captain Jack, who was never intrusive but always open to some scritches.

My daughter and I agree: Inkwell is now among our favorite coffee shops in the Twin Cities; and I always support independent bookstores, so I'm very happy to have another one in the area. You should definitely stop in for a coffee and browse the shop's selection, too. For more information, check out the shop's website or visit Inkwell Booksellers Co. on Facebook.

Do you have a favorite independent bookstore or coffee shop in Minnesota? We'd love to hear about it!