Argos Book Shop

Posted on Sunday 8 January 2006

Argos is the best book store in Grand Rapids. I have a strange infatuation for really old things, things that meant something to people along time ago. Old books are special.

p.s. I may or may not be trying to grow the must unsuccessful goatee ever

Music: The Bill Evans Trio - Peri’s Scope

31 Comments for 'Argos Book Shop'

  1.  
    January 8, 2006 | 8:57 pm
     

    Your posts are so thought out and they’re like a labor of love.

  2.  
    Bre
    January 8, 2006 | 10:11 pm
     

    Ya! Books. Nice use of a cat in a video. You were brave to go up to all those folks in the store. Go Josh!

  3.  
    January 8, 2006 | 10:13 pm
     

    Yippie! Books!!!

    Save the local bookstores!!

    (and save Wonder Woman from Satan!:)

  4.  
    January 8, 2006 | 10:54 pm
     

    Hardy Boys! Star Wars cards!

    oh the

  5.  
    January 9, 2006 | 1:33 am
     

    the alfred hitchcock book you pan by quickly going down the wall, is also in my dining room.

    read most of it.

  6.  
    January 9, 2006 | 1:34 am
     

    Liked the cat and especially loved the bookstore owner’s earrings. I knew he had a wild side hidden in him!

    http://beccavlog.blogspot.com

  7.  
    January 9, 2006 | 2:18 am
     

    Josh Leo is so gorgeous.

  8.  
    January 9, 2006 | 11:03 am
     

    What is a Book?

  9.  
    January 9, 2006 | 11:53 am
     

    Grand Rapids bureau of tourism should really consider paying you for all the great videos you do of that town.
    I love the nifty little places you show us!

  10.  
    January 10, 2006 | 1:56 pm
     

    I have that 9/11 Time magazine in plastic!

    -taxiplasm
    http://gnitseretni.blogspot.com

  11.  
    January 10, 2006 | 3:20 pm
     

    Josh, did you get my VlogCats e-mail? My stats tell me that only two people have downloaded the video, so I’m wondering if the message was lost in your junk mail. Please check, I made the video just for you!

    Kitka

  12.  
    January 10, 2006 | 9:04 pm
     

    oi. i wanted to comment on your hot dog piece. i was a little worried for a while there that you weren’t going to put yesterdog into the line-up. definetly worth the wait though. next time you’re craving a hot dog. ask for any type of dog at yesterdog but add the words “slut dog.” trust me. your argos bookstore piece is also great. a guy. a camera. and the weird town of g-rap. everyone in my fx class loves your stuff. mad props.

  13.  
    January 11, 2006 | 12:59 pm
     

    What a GREAT video. I love old books and I love the love that you have for the old book store. Such fun.

  14.  
    January 11, 2006 | 8:11 pm
     

    nice cinematography (sp?) i liked a lot of the shots you used. your interviews were solid too, i kinda want to go to a bookstore now.

  15.  
    January 12, 2006 | 12:42 pm
     

    Old books smell good.

  16.  
    January 13, 2006 | 3:26 pm
     

    Other than antique stores, there’s nothing like that in the UP. Books are a lot like old houses, too–people live in them, in a sense.

    I like the way you mention the importance of books as artifacts–we’re constantly living out of all the history that went before . . .

    Books better not ever go digital!

    Nate

  17.  
    January 14, 2006 | 12:29 am
     

    Hey Josh, thanks for swinging by our blog. We have been devouring your vlog since I stumbled across it a couple of weeks ago. You inspired me to post some video on our blog. You rule!

  18.  
    January 14, 2006 | 11:51 am
     

    As always, FANTASTICALLY done. Good to see someone with such a love for old books. I like old books, old houses, and more importantly, old people. They all can show/tell us so much about the past.

  19.  
    January 14, 2006 | 2:04 pm
     

    All this vlog needed was names underneath the talking heads with a solid backdrop. It adds a professional edge

    Mr. Man-Owner Argo Books

    Miss Woman - Avid reader

  20.  
    January 14, 2006 | 3:09 pm
     

    HELL YESSS
    for this video
    these kinds of videos are so important
    quick before they put up a new barnes and nobles for god sake.

  21.  
    Ben
    January 15, 2006 | 2:50 am
     

    Dang, Vista needs a book store like that (cat included).

  22.  
    January 17, 2006 | 3:31 am
     

    Josh, thank God I don’t live in Grnad Rapids…. I would ruin myself in that bookstore!!!! My wife would leave me fo good!!!!!

  23.  
    January 17, 2006 | 10:13 pm
     

    hey josh,
    there are sooo many vlogs out there that I’m amazed that I just happen to stumble and fall and stub my toe on your little niche of creativity that you’ve managed to carve out of your space of cyber…and I don’t know what it is about book stores and cat’s but my fav used book stores in Seattle (Twice sold tales) are a haven for some really cool cats as well…and just because I happen to be talking to myself…about cat’s…I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce to you my cat…her name is ‘Jasmine…well what I wanted to say was…It’s been wonderful stumbling upon your vlog…and didn’t know stumbling could be so much fun

    keep on vlogging
    honk if u vlog!!!
    tootles

  24.  
    January 18, 2006 | 2:01 am
     

    Bravo! Josh Leo.

    So enjoyable, and a comfy video.
    You document a reality I may never be able to visit in person.
    Superb!

  25.  
    January 22, 2006 | 1:13 pm
     

    I always enjoy your pieces. How do you find the time to do all of this?

    Question: You probably get asked this alot but … what settings do you use to export your video? Your video always looks better than mine. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks! And keep up the great work.

  26.  
    Anonymous
    January 31, 2006 | 6:29 pm
     

    An amazing Vlog, Josh. I was blown away at how professional it was. I have never honestly downloaded a video blog before. But in this case it was well worth it.

    btw, Argos rules!

  27.  
    February 2, 2006 | 5:36 am
     

    The tour was great. That jazz piano set just the right tone for the piece.

    Stores like this can only exist in a place where “room” isn’t so expensive.

    They used to have a “book row” in NYC with one store after another like this.

    High rent did them in. However, if you get to NYC, check out The Strand Bookstore at 12th Street and Broadway.

    I believe it is probably the biggest old/used/new bookstore in the world.

    You can even get “new books” for half price because they were “review copies” which have been read once (perhaps).

    Old books are great when you still have space in your new apartment. However, after a while they can get just too overwhelming.

    You realize that no matter how many great books you collect, you’ll never match the collection in even a small local library.

    Today, of course, books have been displaced, more or less, by the Internet.

  28.  
    February 2, 2006 | 5:37 am
     

    wjw

  29.  
    Shahryar
    February 2, 2006 | 10:53 pm
     

    Great work! Thanks for honoring my neighborhood. It really is one of the finest places in GR…no pretentions, very eclectic and genuine. The jazz melody was wonderful. A great piece on Argos. Sure enjoy watching your work.

  30.  
    Jim Bleeker
    March 25, 2006 | 4:32 pm
     

    Hi Josh! Jim from Argos. I love the piece you did on my store! I saw the blog for the first time just recently after we got a new computer that is not from the stone age.
    When you were here I know the future of the store was a little uncertain, but I’m happy to say everything worked out and we’re here to stay.
    Thanks for featuring “Trouble” cat as well. She’s a great cat. But she has not been doing well for about a month. Her vet thinks she’s developed food allergies and gave us some all new food to try with her. Trouble seems to like the food so we’re optimistic she’ll be her old loveable self again soon. Send her kind thoughts. Thanks so much and good luck with everything, Josh! Jim

  31.  
    April 10, 2007 | 9:40 pm
     

    […] Here is a Video Tour of Argos from GR’s own Josh Leo. He appears to get many mentions for his vlog. […]

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