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On my 2024 pre-Christmas visit, I spent a day in Berlin. While you might imagine Berlin in December as a winter wonderland dusted in snow with Christmas markets around every corner, the truth of that Tuesday morning was a different one: The day was grey, the asphalt wet, and I pulled my coat closer as I got off the M2 tram in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood. The restaurants and cafes that bring this neighborhood to life in the summer were still shuttered and dark as I made my way to Rykestrasse. The whole city appeared to have been drained of color. The faces I passed on my way were scrunched up against the cold, half-covered behind scarves and hats pulled low. I had first learned about my destination on Instagram. Articles about the best bookshops and/or coffee shops in Berlin kept featuring Minoa, the new kid on the book block. As soon as I stepped inside, I understood why. 
The space was bathed in soft light, plants snaked down from the top shelves and light-colored wooden floor-to-almost ceiling shelves were stacked with books against a red brick wall. Book-themed lights were suspended from the ceiling and made you feel like you had stepped into a different world - one that had color, warmth, light and floating books. A stark contrast to the black-and-white streets of Berlin. The barista greeted me in English and once I had picked my jaw off the floor, I walked over asking, “When can I move in and how long can I stay?” We carried on our banter in English and I wondered how my fellow Germans felt about a bookshop cafe where the main language was not their own. I browsed the bookshelves with curiosity, found beautifully bound versions of classic titles like Tolkien, Eyre and Bronte next to contemporary titles, and was astonished to find a vast selection of Turkish books. When I spoke to the store’s manager, Elif, it dawned on me why. Minoa is the fourth location - and the first German one - of an already hugely successful bookshop in Turkey. “The first Minoa bookstore was opened in Istanbul in 2014 followed by two more locations . Because of the instant community adoption, the founders, Petek and Nazım Tokuz, knew they wanted to expand beyond Turkey. After a visit to Berlin, Nazım was in awe of its energy and generally could feel that there was great care for independent bookshops in the capital as well as a large Turkish community so the idea took hold. So far, it has exceeded our expectations.", Elif told me. “On opening day, we had a line out the door. People in Berlin read!” Elif Erdost is the manager of Minoa Berlin. She told me how she got here: “My journey to Minoa is full of happenstance. I worked as a venue director for concert and performance events in Istanbul for nearly 25 years, gaining extensive experience in venue management. At my 52nd birthday party, I mentioned to a friend that I was planning to move to Berlin, and they told me that a close friend of theirs was looking to open a Minoa bookstore in Berlin. They thought it would be a great idea for us to work together. Two days later, I met the owners of Minoa, and both sides were excited about the potential collaboration. As soon as I moved to Berlin, I started searching for a location for Minoa and after three and a half months I called them to say: I have the perfect spot.”
I’m curious how a bookstore like Minoa manages to build community with a very private people like the Germans. Elif shares, “We just started hosting various events, such as book readings, to better engage with our local community. From what we've gathered, our audience resonates most with activities that combine literature, food, and a relaxed, interactive environment. These include casual book discussions, themed book nights, and author meet-and-greets. Additionally, offering a space where people can connect over a cup of coffee or wine adds a personal touch.” “Personally, I enjoy the opportunity to engage with our guests on a deeper level, whether it’s through sharing a passion for a book, exploring local authors, or even just having a conversation about different genres and tastes. These kinds of interactions allow us to build a sense of community while supporting local talent and cultivating a warm, welcoming space.” Elif Erdost As I enjoy my coffee and try to take in this oasis, another unexpected conversation adds to my sense of wonder. A woman in her forties at the next table strikes up a conversation. What you may not know is that Germans don’t just strike up conversations with strangers. Unless you’ve known each other since elementary school, we - for the most part - treat each other with a short nod and carry on. We are very private people. Within the warm atmosphere of Minoa, however, she tells me about her four daughters who are all on their way home for Christmas. They had a full day mothers-daughter day planned in Berlin before returning to the family home. I tell her about 40 Bookshops Under 40 and that I am on a similar mission: home for Christmas to spend a week with my parents before returning to the US. Her phone rings and she hastily puts her on many layers to meet daughter #1 at the train station. I wish her well and revel in her excitement long after she has left. Minoa does indeed seem to have some magic to it.
Elif’s book recommendations
What I bought at Minoa Berlin: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Satoshi Yagisawa (German translation) Comments are closed.
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