Story and Photos By Cashmere Morley
To liken Book Suey to an average bookstore would be akin to calling Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein “the boy next door.” It’s missing all the other crucial pieces that make Book Suey a must-stop destination—sure, you can come in for a book, but you can also stop in and read a poem during open-mic night, attend a writing workshop, sell a physical copy of your writing, and more. Think of Book Suey as a bookstore with a side of DIY ethos, a pinch of mischief, and the kind of vibes that make you want to stay a while. Maybe even forever, as co-owners Cat Batsios and Elijah “Eli” Sparkman will explain.
“Once upon a time, this was a bank,” said Batsios. “But not Bank Suey [as the sign outside of the building displays], that was fourth in the order of operations.” She points to the ground, which is a mixture of tile and brick. “As you can tell, this building is old: pre-war. In the early 2000s it was turned into a Chinese restaurant called Golden Hill.” (Thus, the Chinese decorations sprinkled throughout the building, such as the dragon symbols hung in the bathroom, and the reused kitchenry like the brown diner mugs in the tea and coffee area.)
“.... And then the current owners restored the building and guided this beautiful space, and they made it into a community space,” Sparkman finishes.
Just like the works within it, the bookstore is a patchwork of ideas, places, and people—some still living, some long gone. This cooperative gem is where bibliophiles and casual readers can unite over an ever-rotating collection of reads. Whether you’re into New York Times best-selling works, obscure zines, local authors, or novels so indie they are bound in front of you at the store, Book Suey has you covered. Plus, it’s a co-op, which means you can be part of the magic—literally. You can join as a member, have a say on what is sold in store, and bask in the beauty of knowing you’re not just buying and selling books; you’re building community in Hamtramck.
As much as Book Suey values its sense of community, it thrives because of its diverse programming. Workshops at Book Suey cover a vast range of topics, from the craft of writing to self-publishing. The events are tailored for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned author or someone just testing the waters of creative writing. From novice writers sharing their first short stories to poets reading their works aloud for the first time, there’s a space for everyone. The bookstore serves as a dynamic platform where the community’s voice can be heard and celebrated.
Even if you’re not a writer or poet yourself, the events provide a welcoming space to get inspired by the creations of others. It’s not just about reading and writing—it’s about becoming part of a creative movement. Every week feels like an opportunity to contribute to something bigger, and visitors leave Book Suey not only with books in hand but with ideas, motivation, and connections that reach beyond the pages they just perused.
In 2017, Book Suey was founded by four original co-owners. “They had a lot of books already when they [founded Book Suey],” said Sparkman, though not so many books as to rival a common bookstore. He said at the start of the space, the co-owners had only two or three shelves they would wheel out only at certain hours. They also did a lot of popups until word started to spread and inventory became more robust with both indie and popular titles over the years.
Batsios notes that becoming a co-owner at Book Suey means you have to work three to four shifts a month at the store. “We all take shifts together [if you’re a co-owner.] We all make decisions together about what events to run, what books to stock. It’s all a collaborative effort.” Co-owners are not paid; their time is solely volunteer, which Batsios notes is an interesting dynamic of co-owning because it means you set firmer boundaries with your time and limits in the space.
Sparkman added, “All four [original] owners volunteer their time to work shifts, pick up books for inventory, and meet monthly to problem solve issues that are top of mind, just like [all the current co-owners] do. That’s the foundation of how this place stays in business. Everything else is icing on the cake—this place can be a vehicle to bring your own passions and interests,” he said.
Sparkman, who has been a co-owner at Book Suey for two years, says he understands his role in Book Suey as an “event coordinator and community writing club facilitator.” He said one of his favorite events he runs at Book Suey is a free flash fiction club which is now in its third year of running. “That’s my personal interest [that I bring to the space], but there are 14 co-owners here. It’s interesting to see how [other co-owners] want to plug into a bookstore/co-op/third space.” A third space, as defined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, is a “social surrounding that is separate from the two usual social environments of home (“first place”) and the workplace (“second place”) such as a church, museum, cafe, or library.”
What makes Book Suey’s sense of community even more special is its ability to foster genuine, lasting connections. People who may have come for a book or a single event often find themselves becoming regulars, seeking out friendships, creative partnerships, and even opportunities for personal growth. It’s not just the events that matter—it’s the friendships that sprout from shared experiences. When you walk through the doors of Book Suey, you’re stepping into a space that isn’t merely transactional; it’s one where bonds are made, conversations are sparked, and creativity flows in every corner.
“The crux of this space is the openness that all of us, together, create,” said Batsios. “People come into the store just to hang out. That’s how you know you actually have a third space—people treat this space like their best friend’s house. They walk in and grab a coffee before saying hello. That’s the equivalent of walking into your friend’s house and just opening the fridge.”
Batsios said that they ultimately want Book Suey to become a place where artists can express themselves freely through their chosen mediums. “It’s not safe,” said Batsios. “The world is not a safe place for artists to practice, to be open. But—you can come to Book Suey. I feel like people roll in and find this place when they need to.”
Community involvement is a large part of Book Suey’s success. Both Batsios and Sparkman talk about a program called Breaking the Cycle with Books which the Western International High School in Detroit takes part in. The program raises money to take their students on book tours around the area. Sparkman talked about how special their stop at Book Suey was.
“They raise money to give each student two or three books of their choosing. There’s a beauty to it—they aren’t just giving students books that no one wants. They are coming in and choosing books they want to read. They have the agency to choose whatever gives them purpose. We had the honor of hosting them one afternoon,” said Sparkman.
“It’s a lesson in inhabiting spaces that may seem inaccessible to you. As a kid, you don’t know where you’re allowed to go or what you’re allowed to be interested in. Here, kids could choose what they wanted to read about and have a discussion about it with their peers. That’s something we are really proud to be a part of here,” said Batsios.
“Our success [as a store] can really only be measured over a number of years,” adds Sparkman. “There isn’t one event that stands out—it’s a culmination of artists coming together here on a weekly basis that makes us special.”
For Sparkman, Book Suey will never be a Barnes and Nobel or an Amazon, and he values that. “You don’t have to come to Book Suey, but you should go somewhere [for your books],” he said. “You should go talk to people. You should tell them about yourself. This is all part of the novel human experience.”
To become a member owner, you can send Book Suey an email at info@booksuey.com or just come in and chat with a staff member. Fill out an application, and the owners will meet and discuss if they feel you’re a good fit for the team.
Visit Book Suey online at booksuey.com, on Facebook and Instagram @booksuey, or check out their brick and mortar at 10345 Joseph Campau Avenue in Hamtramck, Wednesday through Friday from 6 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6:00 p.m.
To get involved in a club, join Flash Fiction Club on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Creative Nonfiction Club on Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m., and Poetry Club on Saturdays from 4 to 6:00 p.m. Free events include Colors, an open-mic poetry event on Tuesdays, monthly field trips, and Second Sunday open mics.
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To liken Book Suey to an average bookstore would be akin to calling Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein “the boy next door.” It’s missing all the other crucial pieces that make Book Suey a must-stop destination—sure, you can come in for a book, but you can also stop in and read a poem during open-mic night, attend a writing workshop, sell a physical copy of your writing, and more. Think of Book Suey as a bookstore with a side of DIY ethos, a pinch of mischief, and the kind of vibes that make you want to stay a while. Maybe even forever, as co-owners Cat Batsios and Elijah “Eli” Sparkman will explain.