It took them a little bit longer than originally predicted, but over the weekend The Wild Detectives, Oak Cliff's new bookstore and cafe, opened on 8th Street. It is easy to miss the small sign that distinguishes the orange bungalow from the others, but it's worth the hunt. Inside, a charming literary world awaits.
It's a cozy spot that's as much coffee shop as it is bookstore. The small, curated selection of new books for sale include a variety of modern bestsellers and paperback collections of poetry. And while it doesn't provide the selection of a Half-Priced Books or Amazon.com, it is the perfect place to read a book on a rainy day.
There aren't enough places in Dallas where you can read a book and sip a beer in public. At The Wild Detectives, you can order up a Lakewood Lager, pull out your beat-up copy of a Jonathan Lethem novel or T.S. Eliot poems and read in peace. An eclectic playlist softly fills the space, only interrupted by the occasional conversation or the hiss of the bartender steaming milk. And when you finish your book and need a new one, The Wild Detectives have tracked down several hundred choices for you.
In the future, the shop plans to be a hub for creative thought, perhaps hosting author talks or book clubs. In the meantime, they're open daily as a place to grab a latte, select your next read or just hang out. The shop is open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 12 - 8 p.m. on Sundays. You can like the shop on Facebook to keep up with future plans.
