Most memorable bookstore

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 12:49 am

I thought it would be fun to start a thread for us to share our most memorable bookstore experience. I will start it out. I have two that stand out in my mind........

One was in Columbus, Ohio. I was there about 4 years ago and visited a bookstore -- I can't even recall the name, but it was in or near the German section of the city. It is in an old house, with each room opening up into another room like a maze, every room filled with books of a different genre. It was a cold, rainy fall day, but it was warm and bright inside that shop with soft music playing. It was wonderful!

The second was at the Dickens Christmas Fair that runs every year in San Francisco between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's like a Renaissance re-enactment fair, except it's indoors (at the Cow Palace) and it's Victorian London. One of the vendors there sold nothing but books -- old, old books. He had a tiny little space crammed with books floor to ceiling, in piles, everywhere. I could have spent HOURS there!

So now it's your turn. I'm sure you all have some very interesting bookstore experiences to share.... !!

LoveHistory · Post by **LoveHistory** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 12:53 am

No outstanding experiences, but the Barnes & Noble in the Galleria Mall in Rochester, MN is awesome. They have a castle.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 1:00 am

Waterstones, Trafalgar Square in London...It was so exciting to see Elizabeth Chadwick books in a store! I bought about five!

Chester County Books & Music Co. in West Chester, Pennsylvania...drove about 70 miles to meet Sharon Kay Penman at a book talk. She even recognized me from my Facebook photo!

Ariadne · Post by **Ariadne** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 1:13 am

Michy, I know that Columbus bookstore - I visited it all the time when I was at Ohio State and have been back a couple times since. It's right in the middle of German Village within walking distance of Schmidt's sausage haus. Columbus has a number of awesome bookstores, including a remainder shop in an old white church on the north side of town, plus two Half Price Books outlets.

My favorite bookstore is the Niantic Book Barn in Niantic, CT. It's spread out among a number of tiny buildings, each of which houses a particular topic or genre. I always find something to buy there, plus they have many bookstore cats.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 1:18 am

[quote=""Ariadne""]My favorite bookstore is the Niantic Book Barn in Niantic, CT. It's spread out among a number of tiny buildings, each of which houses a particular topic or genre. I always find something to buy there, plus they have many bookstore cats.[/quote]

I've heard about this place. I really need to take a drive up to Connecticut sometime.

Ariadne · Post by **Ariadne** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 1:35 am

[quote=""Susan""]I've heard about this place. I really need to take a drive up to Connecticut sometime.[/quote]

It's worth the drive. Plus they have two separate annexes in downtown Niantic - one of which sells a lot of newish hardcovers at huge discounts. I stocked up!

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 1:40 am

[quote=""Ariadne""]Michy, I know that Columbus bookstore [/quote]

I was pretty sure someone else here would know of it.

It was a wonderful place. If I'm ever in the Columbus area again, I'm going back!

My favorite bookstore is the Niantic Book Barn in Niantic, CT.

That place looks awesome! If I ever make it to Connecticut I know where I want to visit!!

Ariadne · Post by **Ariadne** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 1:45 am

Here's the website for the Book Loft in Columbus. It's pretty wild.

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 4:04 am

Yes, that's it! I thought it was an old house; obviously, I was mistaken. But they call it a labryinth, and that is an apt description!

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Wed August 11th, 2010, 6:17 am

Well, it's gone now, but the bookstore I remember is my local one, Goodenough Books. It had a couple of couches and a coffe pot in the corner, the five employees all knew me and what I liked, and they were always happy to discuss books. And if they usually didn't have the book I wanted, I was willing to wait until it came on order, because dropping in to pick it up was a pleasant experience.

Now my town of 110,000 has no bookstore, although we are 10 miles from a Borders and a B&N. But those mega-chains don't get my loyalty; I don't know their owners and their employees don't know me. Online is more convenient.