Amazon Bookstore Cooperative was a feminist bookstore located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that operated from 1970 to 2012. It was the only lesbian/feminist bookstore in the U.S.at some point, but certainly not at its beginning. The shop was named after the Amazons, a mythological tribe of fierce and independent women. In 1994 Amazon.com was founded and within a year, problems started for Amazon Bookstore. Terms of a lawsuit by Amazon bookstore resulted in a settlement, and a requirement that Amazon Bookstore go by the name 'Amazon Bookstore Collective' to reduce confusion with Amazon.com.

Early years

Amazon Bookstore was founded in 1970 by Rosina Richter Christy and Julie Morse Quist. It was associated with the women in print movement, an effort by second-wave feminists to establish autonomous communications networks of feminist publications, presses, and bookstores created by and for women.

Influence and legacy

Like many feminist bookstores, Amazon had an important role in fostering feminist and lesbian communities. Women went to feminist bookstores to meet each other, access books that were impossible to find elsewhere, and host events.

References

  • Official site
  • Amazon Bookstore Cooperative Records at the University of Minnesota