The Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, Inc. is a bookstore located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A worker cooperative founded in 1970, it calls itself "the oldest independent feminist bookstore in North America." Amazon Bookstore Cooperative former employee, cartoonist and graphic novelist Alison Bechdel was inspired to create the fictional Madwimmin Books in Dykes to Watch Out For based on experiences at the store.
The business announced that they were closing down at the end of June 2008, and buyers came forth to carry on the store. Ruta Skujins, with the help of her partner, Joann Bell, decided to take over the store. Transfer of the ownership of the store happened at the end of June, according to an e-mail sent by the store to customers on June 17.
In 1999, the cooperative sued Amazon.com for trademark infringement. After sometimes acrimonious legal proceedings, the case was settled in November of that year, with the cooperative signing over its rights of the name Amazon to Amazon.com then licensing the use of the name back to the cooperative.[1][2] In November 2008 it was announced that the store changed ownership and as a result, the Amazon name could not be used by the new owner as it was owned by Amazon.com. The new owner of the bookstore, Ruta Skujins, has changed the name of the store to True Colors Bookstore, and both names are currently in use during the transition period. [3]