Duttenhofer's Books

Love love love this place! I visit this bookstore after class almost weekly and highly recommend anyone in the Clifton area to check it out. They have something for everyone here and the antique selection is quite impressive and very well preserved; there’s also a plethora of literature focused on the German background and history of Cincinnati. I have to be careful when I go because I can really spend hours browsing and admiring the jam packed bookshelves! Luckily, the employees are always open to place books on hold for you :)

Old, smells like old books, great deals on used books. Rather comprehensive selection of many classic titles. I stepping back in time of sorts. Rows and rows of books with shelving that is rather hobbled together with angle iron and brace supports.

Absolute gem! The epitome of the Old Bookshops we used to love and, alas, took for granted, now all but vanished, at least in and around Cincinnati. Rows upon rows of old, used and rare books on topics of all kinds. Their religion and history sections are especially choice. It is a fine place to simply browse, soak in the smell and feel of books, and let yourself go back in time and forget the post-cyber apocalypse outside.

Wonderful bookstore, full of used marvels and newer items. Getting 50% off everything was appreciated - sorry that the business is closing.

This place is a true Clifton gem! I go in here every so often to hunt down amazing finds. The prices are great and the vibes are even better. The man who was working in the store is very knowledgeable about Good books.

Antiquarian books and free bookmarks! Rare finds and quiet environment What more can I say! A bibliophile's dream! Still just as overwhelming and atmospherically pleasing as the first time. Another customer agreed with this sentiment so much that they said if aloud. I always love going to this book store and exploring new worlds.

The smell of old books always brings me a sense a peace. They had a great selection but the person working there wasn't able to give much direction and seemed more concerned about what he was reading, which I as an avid reader can understand to a certain extent. Was able to find two books I was interested in for just $10!

Great shop, lovely hole-in-the-wall feeling to it and loads of great selection. I didn't find the specific book I was looking for, and when I picked up another I was interested in, it was too expensive for what it was. So, not my favorite bookshop I visited while in the area, but fun to browse.

My best friend was intrigued to visit Duttenhofer's so we decided to make a day trip to Cincinnati. Street parking and meter available but we opted for a nearby parking garage with reasonable rates. This bookstore has a wonderful vibe and its shelves are stocked. Some signs will steer you to categories but also look for small taped notes on the shelves, which breaks down the topic more granular. While some are organized alphabetically, other shelves will contain specific authors or series. My best friend was wowed by the drama and plays available. He also noted that several books he'd not been able to find anywhere were all here! I loved the vintage sections, especially children's books. Prices are written in pencil on the back cover and in some people have written inscriptions on the front cover. A book chosen for a specific someone. If you're a book lover make time to visit and slowly walk each shelf. Duttenhofer's is specific about their book genres, cutting out some you may be looking for, but overall it's a great experience to find something you didn't know you needed.

Duttenhofer's made me sad...not because its a sad place...but because we do not have book stores like this in Indianapolis where I reside. I remember as a child visiting a bookstore similar to this near my home. It was owned by an older couple and the concept was similar, you can buy old books as well as sell books to them to be sold. For my daughter, this bookstore was magical. She loves books, especially old books. There were so many treasures found at Duttenhofers from a Jamaican Cookbook, to an old Indianapolis travel guide from 1956 describing all the old buildings and its history in downtown Indianapolis....how cool is that!!! They also carried some first edition copies of books. The store is divided by subjects and its clearly marked. Its not new, so its not like walking into a Barnes and Nobles, its almost like walking into a treasure chest flea market, you just never know what you will find.

This is a great bookstore. Lots of first editions and signed books in addition to older books in great condition. I walked out with a Charles Lamb Shakespeare from 1909 and left an author's presentation copy from 1915 on the shelf. It was super hard to pass up a presentation copy (signed!) for only $20... We paid 1.5 hours on the parking meter across the street and probably would have gotten a ticket if I hadn't set a reminder timer. If you're a bibliophile, definitely stop in.

Always a giant depth of selection and rare both in quality and Title. The owners are excellent stewards and catalogues of their two-level shop. The shelves are organized easily for specific hunting, and accessible enough to browse for hours. Seriously amazing Titles held here. Also they give great service, allowed me to exchange a rare vibrant Islamic design elephant-size print folio for a more needed print book dealing with the architecture of not just "Spain", but super specifically of "Northern Spain." This is a true wealth of quality and bibliography-fun of which only the Mercantile Library can compare in our Region.

Duttenhofer's is exactly like a good used bookstore should be: a little musty, cramped, and waiting for a diligent shopped to uncover a hidden gem. While the lighting is dim and the narrowness of the aisles make me nervous should there ever be a fire, I found so many books that I wanted to take home. The novel section is well-stocked (though you'll recognize the most copious volumes from the mandatory ENG 101 reading list) with hardbacks and paperbacks in varying condition. Other sections include poetry, geography, regional history, art, children's, rare, first prints and more. Prices seemed pretty reasonable to me (around $4 to $6 for most novels), though I didn't price the rare and first print books.

This place is -so- cool! While many of the shops and restaurants near Clifton come and go, Duttenhofer's is a mainstay. The shopkeeper let me know it's been there for 39 years- very impressive for a used and rare bookstore! The shelves have tons of old books of varying genres. It's fun to get your hands dirty (sometimes literally) looking at what they have for sale. I went in looking for books from pre-1895, and there were stacks of books from the mid 1800s for sale for under $10! They also have some pretty expensive rare books, but those were kept behind glass. Cool place!

A great little bookshop--with a large, varied, and unique collection. I was particularly impressed with the local history and ephemera. I left with five contemporary first editions for under $40. Great prices for great finds.

I think this store would be perfect if it weren't for the female owner who is consistently cold, unfriendly, and rude. I love their selection but her attitude is serious enough for me to not go into the store anymore. It's a shame because this store is really a jewel.

Still the best used bookstore in Cincinnati -- or in southern Ohio. During my last visit, I heard the staff discussing money problems, which makes me worry that the store may not be around much longer. Such a shame so few reviews for this place--when plenty of lesser bookstores get attention on Yelp. It's a superb, fantastic, wonderful bookstore. Go there before it's too late!