Photographs of men with curious mustaches hang from the brick walls.

A girl in a polka-dot dress crouches on a window seat feverishly writing poems, while a blue-haired man nibbles on a pesto panini.

Books in Spanish lay on a bright red table near a heavy oak door. There is so much to look at, one could stay for hours.

The Wild Detectives opened earlier this year in Bishop Arts District near Oak Cliff.

It is a destination for readers, foodies and explorers alike. An innovative concept, the store is part bookstore, part coffee shop and part bar.

It’s housed in a little orange cottage on 8th Street in a residential area a few blocks from Bishop Arts’ center.

The building blends seamlessly into the neighborhood, distinguishable only by a small sign.

The Wild Detectives prides itself on its curated collection of books. Avid readers will enjoy perusing lesser-known authors and genres like fiction, autobiography and poetry.

Staff-recommended books snake up the walls on teetering shelves, each accompanied by a small review; the staff also helps customers select books based on their interests.

“I’m a retired Spanish teacher, and this is my first time in, but the Spanish books caught my eye,” said Julie Stack, a customer from North Texas, “as well as the atmosphere. It’s very different from a chain store.”

A small record collection also greets guests at the store’s entrance, boasting an eclectic mix from Kanye West to Arctic Monkeys.

A small bar stands in the corner of the dining room. The diverse customer base includes an elderly couple sharing a glass of white wine and two women discussing a book in animated Spanish.

The bar serves an extensive collection of Spanish and Brazilian wines, craft and domestic beer, and coffee classics like Americano, cappuccino and espresso.

“We don’t do flavors, like Starbucks or anything like that. We stay true to what espresso, what coffee, is,” employee Paul Zuniga said.

The Wild Detectives’ menu is small, yet refined. Its few items are finely crafted and perfect for nibbling. Paninis, baked empanadas, pastries and cheese plates were strewn across tables as customers enjoyed them
while reading.

“Buy your own!” a customer laughed as a friend snuck another bite of her muffin, which did look irresistibly warm and fresh.

Zuniga names the pastrami panini as his personal favorite though he acknowledges that customers enjoy all the menu’s selections.

Apart from the food, drinks and books, a main attraction of The Wild Detectives is simply the quiet studious atmosphere. The Wild Detectives is one of SMU students’ favorite secret study spots.

“Studying there gave me a chance to get off of campus for a while and still be productive,” said SMU alumnae Margaret Fegan.

It’s also a faculty favorite; SMU Poetry Professor Greg Brownderville recommends The Wild Detectives to students.

“It’s just a great place to escape and spend an afternoon with your head in a book,” said SMU alumnae Kim Haller.

One issue, though, is finding seating. Inside, there are only a handful of tables and window seats to accommodate many patrons.

Some solve this and take their coffee to go, but many choose to sit outside. A back patio attracts families, whose children enjoy the yard, and customers with pets.

During the week, the inside space is packed with students reading, while the weekend is more of a family time.

The Wild Detectives also hosts open mic nights, book signings, and performances such as a recent “Shakespeare in a Bar” gathering of SMU theatre students.

Students enjoy the store’s distance from school, though some complain about the commute; all are in consensus that despite the limited street parking, the drive is in fact worth it to explore the surrounding area.

“Bishop Arts has quickly become one of my favorite neighborhoods in Dallas,” said Lauren Jones, an SMU student.

Though Bishop Arts is small in size, only a few square blocks, it’s crammed with things to do and see.

The surrounding area holds restaurants, boutiques and design and art galleries.

The Wild Detectives, though, stands out in its community feel and separation from the main streets. It’s a word-of-mouth sort of place.

“Dallas has needed a store like this for a long, long time,” said customer Harry Hunsicker.