Paperback Exchange Faces Devastating Flood, Community Offers Support

In Minneapolis, a long-standing chapter in the city’s literary history could be coming to a close. The Paperback Exchange, which has operated for almost 50 years, is grappling with an overnight water main break that severely damaged the store and its storied inventory.

A Legacy Threatened

Owned by Marion and Keith Hersey since 1991, the Paperback Exchange has been more than just a bookstore. It has been a haven for book lovers, a space where countless stories have been shared and countless memories have been made.

The Catastrophic Event

Hersey described the impact of the disaster: “I will wake up in the morning and just see the books floating out of the bookstore and it filling up and I think this must be a nightmare. And then I get myself awake and realize, no, this really happened.”

Her son, Andy Hersey, who now runs the store, was stunned when he entered the bookstore on Thursday morning. “When I first got here, we had to push the front door in. Just because the whole floor was a layer of wet books,” he recounted.

Extensive Damage

The damage went deeper than the first floor. Andy toured the basement with a reporter, detailing the devastation: “It came under the sidewalk and blew in this wall. It just filled it up from there. Everything down there was just destroyed. We’ve lost maybe 80% of our inventory.”

The overflow didn’t stop there. The basement’s floodwaters continued flowing out of the storefront and into the Hersey family’s home. “The water just poured out of the building and it was cascading over the retaining wall here. It was like a waterfall, and then it got up to the house,” Andy reported.

Insurance and City Response

Amidst the chaos, insurance complications have added another layer of difficulty. “Insurance told us to contact the city, but no one has given us any specifics,” Andy said. “No one from the city has come out to the house here. No one from the city has met us over at the building to walk through with us so we could show them what happened.”

Community Rescue Efforts

Despite the uncertainty and heartache, the community has rallied around the family. Last weekend, over 20 people showed up at the store to help salvage what books they could.

Further help came from Angela Schwesnedl, the owner of another local bookstore, Moon Palace Books. “I rented a UHaul and I stored what I could here,” Schwesnedl explained. “If she didn’t have that space available for us, it would be a total loss,” Andy added.

Online Support Efforts

The support hasn’t been limited to just foot traffic and physical aid. Online efforts to provide a Meal Train for Marion and Keith quickly filled up. Additionally, an online fundraiser has raised almost $30,000 to help cover lost wages for employees.

“Book people always take care of each other,” Schwesnedl said, highlighting the sense of community within the book industry.

Looking Forward

The Hersey family’s future with Paperback Exchange remains uncertain. Marion reflected on the situation: “It’s too soon to really tell what will happen next,” she said. “But I can tell that we’re not alone.”

Andy echoed this sentiment: “It’s going to be hard. I mean, maybe it’s an ending, maybe it’s a new beginning, but… we don’t know.”

Upcoming Event

In the meantime, the community continues to support the Hersey family. Pints and Pages, an upcoming event featuring titles from Paperback Exchange among other vendors, provides an opportunity for book lovers to show their support.

Final Thoughts

The story of the Paperback Exchange is a testament to the resilience of local bookstores and the unwavering support of communities. It’s a reminder that amidst tragedy, there are always a plethora of individuals willing to step up and make a difference. The Hersey family’s journey is just beginning, and who knows—perhaps the store will open its doors once more, carrying with it not just books, but the strength of a community that couldn’t stand by and watch as a beloved institution fell.

What You Can Do

If you’re a fan of local bookstores and want to support the Hersey family, consider visiting the upcoming Pints and Pages event, donating to the GoFundMe page, or taking part in the Meal Train. Every bit of support makes a difference.

Human interest stories like that of the Paperback Exchange highlight the importance of community and the power of coming together in times of need.

Let’s keep the spirit of the Paperback Exchange alive by supporting the Hersey family through this challenging time.

Click here for more information on the Pints and Pages event.

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