What started as a way to pay for college eventually became Ray Walsh’s passion.
Starting in 1969, Walsh began buying and selling paperback books to pay for his tuition at MSU. Now he owns The Archives Book Shop, 519 W. Grand River Ave., and Curious Book Shop, 307 E. Grand River Ave.
“I got tired of taking the bus to Detroit for used books,” Walsh said. Walsh began running classified ads for buying and selling used books. A professor contacted him, and a career was born. “I bought 1,000 paperback science fiction books for $100,” Walsh said. “All of a sudden, I was in the book business.” The Archives Book Shop carries a plethora of different collectibles, such as old postcards, photographs, music sheets and literature. “A lot of it is finding the unexpected,” Walsh said.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
