Northshire Bookstore

The bookstore with awesome collections of books for a wide ranges of interests. A whole floor with kids and young adult books. There are comfortable couches and seating areas around the store. Staff are super nice and helpful. We (kids and adults) love to visit here whenever we are in Saratoga Springs. Highly recommended.

WHAT A FABULOUS LITTLE BOOKSTORE, WITH A HUGE SELECTION! 📚🩷 My husband and I were in the area, coming back from a trip to Maine. We stopped in on a whim (usually I am aware of EVERY bookstore in the area, but this one didn't pop up so I had no idea this was in Saratoga Springs). I was blown away!!!! What a phenomenally stocked store, and the layout was awesome. They also had a wonderful selection of postcards, puzzles, bookmarks, tote bags... the list is continuous. I wish I didn't live 7 hours away, or else I'd make this my go-to local bookshop. If you're in the area, you have to visit!

Such a great bookstore. My coworker and I were in town for the NYLA Conference. We had some free time and decided to browse this bookstore. It certainly did not disappoint. Plenty of awesome selections. I will gladly come back here again in the future.

Great store. It seems to never end. Got some amazing finds!

An absolutely fabulous selection with tons of shelf talkers and staff picks. We have always walked out with an armful. The staff is super friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. One of the best bookstores we've visited. We make a point of visiting every trip to Saratoga Springs.

Wonderful bookstore downtown on Broadway in Saratoga. So many sections to pour through. Great children's area, and there are many journals, socks, sweatshirts, cups, etc. I love spending time here. If you love to read, this is a must visit when you come to the Spa City.

I mean, you can’t go wrong with a local bookstore and this one is about as fantastic as it gets. Friendly staff, great selection, wonderful layout. A bonus that it’s nestled in the middle of downtown Saratoga Springs. They have a membership perk that activates once you spend above a certain threshold…we joke that we always have the perk because we spend so much money here🤣 We love Northshire!

A charming local book store that also sells regional gifts, and with a children’s event space welcoming to families. Nice selection of books from art to history to fiction. Helpful notes written by the staff promoting titles throughout the store point you in new directions. Clean space but stuffed with temping opportunities of all kinds. If you’re in town you simply must stop by.

Ahhh this book store I love! This was my second time visiting, and I was in Book heaven! It's two floors and from the outside, you would not expect what you see on the inside. The top floor is for kids which I did visit this trip and there's so many varieties for kids of all different ages. The bottom floor of course is for adults and teens and they have such a selection for all ages and genres. They also have items that you can buy if you love reading as much as I do then definitely go on in because again from the outside you would not think it was anything big on the inside. But never judged a book by its cover!

Such a cute bookstore! They had a nice selection of books as well as notebooks, records, random trinkets, fun things for your desk and food items. They had some great deals on sale books but a lot of the regular pricing (MSRP) was on the high side but that's what's on the book, it's not their fault. I'm happy to pay a bit more than I would on Amazon to support a small business like this. The layout of the store is well done and upstairs they have a kids section with toys. I didn't make it up there but I probably would have bought stuff I didn't need! Service was awesome, very helpful employees who seem to really love books. When my friend was checking out, the cashier had something good to say about each of his selections. Fun store that I could spend a long time in just looking at everything. Worth a visit if you're in the area!

Holy moly! This store went on and on! And there's an upstairs that we didn't even get to visit! Lots of books and other bookish goodies. There were also several places to sit down, which I really appreciated in these days of "buy your stuff and get out." I'm not sure if there were any extra people working but the staff at the front were very nice. And I didn't need help with anything so it all worked out!

Northshire Bookstore is one of my favorites in the whole state!! They have a great selection (often with signed copies of new releases!), the ambiance is great, and the staff members are always SO nice.

What a gem on Broadway! Such a spacious bookstore with a great selection of books, and the staff was helpful and attentive. Support local bookstores!

Cute bookstore in Saratoga Springs! They had a nice selection of things and it had a cool rustic feel to the building. Come here if you want to check out a cool bookstore in town with lots of character to the building.

Quick stop into Northshire bookstore. This was around New Year's - the place was packed with folks. Lots of people stand around and talk and don't really shop. It's a large book store with lots of alcoves and sections for different themes, like literature, cooking (up front), home repair, sports, economics. There are island tables in the middle that spotlight new and upcoming writers, themes, books, poets. A very well set-up, stocked, run book purveyor with quite steep prices. All books are new. Review: 5 for display

I dropped on while I was out shopping. I've pass this store a ton of times and never went in probably because I love to read and would spend to much money. I was amazed at how large it was and the genre of books they offer. It was very diverse. It was also such a cozy space. I felt like I could curl right up and read a book or two. I love independent bookstores they have such a lived and eclectic feel to me. I will definitely be back.

Great, huge bookstore right on Broadway! I came in just to check it out and left with an unexpected book. They have tons of new titles full price then some older books on sale. It's the perfect blend of show casing new artists but also giving love to some older ones. It's also perfectly laid out with tons of spots to sit and relax while browsing around. From what I saw during my walk around they also sell scarves, jewelry, coasters, tons of stationary. It looks like they're giving a lot of local places a spot in their store. Friendly staff too. I can see myself wandering around here for an hour and leaving with arms full of books. I really do love that they have discounted older books. Really gives people a chance to pick something up they might not normally. They also have a second floor dedicated to children's books. Perfect spot to grab a new book and sit at one of the nearby cafes or bakeries!

This is quite honestly the most incredible bookstore I've ever been in. I could've spent hours and hundreds of dollars in this shop! The staff were warm and welcoming, shop was tidy and well organized, and there is literally a book/gift for everyone and anyone. Such a magical place!

This was a cute place we mostly spent our time in the children's section with our son. I wish we had a place like this near us, it just seemed like one of those cute book stores out of a movie. My son had fun exploring.

I'm from Saratoga and when Borders closed, there really wasn't anything for current and modern books (yes, there's a bookstore on Phila street that sells peculiar and antique books). Northshire Books goes above and beyond what Borders ever could. We love how there's an entire floor for kiddos and we love looking at their board game section. They have anything you could think of and they'll order it if they don't have it on hand.

Amazing bookstore! Go buy a book! Fabulous selection! Wonderful displays and a fun exploration.

This is an awesome bookstore independent. Tons of magazine choices. Postcards. Soaps. Games. Wind chimes. Puzzles and BOOKS. Many many books. In all sorts of genres. I parked in front as I was planning on eating nearby. They have a great sign - "Largest Bookstore North of NYC". That was enough to get me in. After a bite to eat of course. It's clean and well lit. Quite big, as advertised. They organize by genre and have divided up the space nicely. There's even a readying area with some nice water effects. This college town is lucky to have this great bookstore.

This is my favorite bookstore ever! I love to come here whenever I'm hanging around Saratoga - the staff are always so friendly and it's just a wonderful place to find new books. They have a really good collection of graphic novels, loads of cookbooks, and interesting home-decor & farming books. They also sell little cute knick knacks, calendars, magazines, cards, puzzles and stationary. Thank you for being so wonderful! :-)

Amazing bookstore and more! We wandered in here as it was one of the few business open later on Sundays (until 7). I was beyond impressed with not only the selection of books but also the immense gift selection. Up at the front by the magazines they have a comfy sofa with sale and suggested titles. I scored a gorgeous, giant Taschen book on Klimt for 16.98! Unbelievable! They also had a great selection of cute magnets, hats and scarves and we even found some stylish water shoes (how random, in Saratoga, in winter) for an upcoming vacation. Great selection of magnets and other cute, small gifts. Tons of chairs dispersed throughout the store for chilling. I can't wait to go back here! Book lovers haven. I always worry stores like this will disappear in the Amazon age but this place is a little slice of heaven. As a magnet I purchased here says, Books, no batteries required! Love!

Imagine an exciting and colorful storybook that comes to life when you open it; that's the feeling I get every time I open the doors of Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga. Even at first glance, it's obvious, this is not your average neighborhood bookstore. Yes, it contains countless books, magazines, toys, and crafts, but also a wonderful adventure waiting for exploration! Often overlooked, and surprisingly not found in a book, (unintentional rhyme) are the captivating stories shared from the creative staff, who are very welcoming and recommend those "hidden gem" books you wish you had found sooner! I've honestly enjoyed losing hours of my day here, by simply perusing the staff recommended books on display. I also get lost looking at their small "gadget and gizmos" section that can be found on the first floor, in the center of the entrance aisle. These unique items rotate often, and immediately rob me of any spare cash I have in my wallet. As you walk further back, on the first floor, you will discover a small collection of handmade crafts, vinyl records, and beautiful stationary items. The second floor is a magical fairytale land, perfectly tailored towards children or the inner child in you. There's a small children's play area upstairs too, hidden just past the model train station, and it's sometimes crowded on the weekends. I enjoy discovering what new boxed sets of LEGOs are available each week, as it's a popular place for those kid collectors and architects. Your next exciting adventure doesn't have to be in an far away land, instead it can be found in this local bookstore. If you and your family are visiting Saratoga, stop by Northshire Bookstore. I promise it'll be an experience you all will share, because stories are exactly what fill the shelves and the hearts of everyone at a this bookstore. See you there!

Great bookstore. Extremely friendly staff, large collection beautifully displayed. I found some books in stock here for which I've been looking for a while and not seen in a lot of other places.

This bookstore is magical! I was short on time when we stopped in, but made the most of my visit, purchasing a card for my friend's wedding and three books. I honestly could have stayed for hours! The books are sectioned off very clearly and there are a lot of nooks which make shopping feel a little more private and cozy, even though the store is really large. They take advantage of all that space, though, because there is something cool everywhere you look! I also noticed a great selection of interesting gifts. If I lived in this area, Northshire would be my go-to for presents of all kinds. I often associate bookstores with higher priced items than the ones you'd find online or at a big box store. So I was thrilled when I picked up a paperback on the table by the front of the store and it was marked down to just eight bucks! I purchased two summer reads for that price, plus a full-priced Brené Brown hardcover. I spent a lot of time in bookstores in my teenage years after learning how to drive. They were my escape, my cheap night out, and a place to learn something new. Northshire is an absolute gem that stirred up some major nostalgia.

Super cute local bookstore with fair prices. They have a good mix of National best sellers and local favorites. They also have some children's books. According to their sign, this is the largest indie bookstore north of New York City!

I really love this place. It's like walking into fun, zen, cool and smart....all at the same time. Because....it's not just a book store. Truly...I was able to find updated "Cards Against Humanity" packs here....just sayin'....there's something for everyone. If you love books, you'll spend hours here. If you're not a bookworm, there are tons of cool little items all over the store that will hold your interest. If you're tired and want to take a load off while the wife shops, have a seat on the leather couch in the front. You might fall asleep. (Dude was out cold on the couch last weekend with a couple of bags while his companion...only assuming his wife....shopped...). If you want a snack, hop into the adjoining bakery/cafe for some coffee, a cookie/pastry/sandwich. Fiddle with the guitar in the corner. People watch. Whatever floats your boat. If you have younger kids (or you're a kid at heart) - go upstairs. Heck...go upstairs anyway. There's tons of great kid-stuff. You'll find me hanging out with the many different varieties of puppets; I've always had a thing for well-made puppets. As far as I know, Northshire only has 2 locations...this one in Saratoga and the original in Manchester, VT. I've visited the one in VT several times over the years and we're lucky to have a version here in 'toga. Support your local bookstore.

Amazing book / toy store !! Spent hours checking all kind of books, ESP. Children's on the 2nd floor. They have an elevator so easy access with stroller as well :) Staff are very friendly!

What an incredibly dreamy bookstore! They have a wonderful selection of books, and it seems that if you look at the bottom shelves, they have a lot of discount books hiding there. I left with a good selection of books last time I visited. There are tons of cute gifts, stationary, etc. as well. This is one of the best bookstores in the region, in my opinion.

I love to read, and really enjoy exploring large, independently-owned booksellers in order to soak up some of the charm and atmosphere of the local community. On my recent trip to Saratoga Springs, NY I was able to visit this fantastic two-story bookstore along Broadway. Years before, Saratoga Springs had a large Border's bookstore in the downtown area, and a lot of the local charm went out the door in favor of the corporate, institutionalized feel of that mass merchant. Now that Border's is long-gone, it's great to see Northshire really filling the void, and delivering a very local feel to the Saratoga Springs book-loving community. The entire second floor of this shop is devoted to children, and there's a great big selection of coloring books all the way up through Young Adult fiction in this area, along with toys and gifts. The ground level has the usual assortment of paperbacks and hardcovers, fiction and non-fiction books. They also have a music area with (wait for it)....vinyl records, boxed sets, stationery, art supplies, jewelry, and gift items. This was all seriously cool to me! I passed over my usual selection of paperback action-adventure and mystery novels, and found a great book on the history of Saratoga Springs, and a second one on the history of this area during the French & Indian, and Revolutionary Wars. Those are not normally books that you'd find online or in the big box booksellers. Nope, these are the decidedly-local kind of things that only an independent bookseller would offer. Northshire also has a bakery and coffee shop inside of the store, and so you're free to plop down and read through your books while enjoying some quiet time. What an awesome place that should definitely be on your bucket list if you're in the upstate NY / Saratoga Springs area.

This bookstore is AMAZING! Especially the kids section - which is an entire top floor. This is a must-visit if you are into bookstores and in the area. Friendly staff, too!

This place is truly wonderful. I love to see a gigantic, independent bookstore! I asked for some historical fiction based in Saratoga and the salesperson had great suggestions. If I lived here I'd probably stop in all the time.

Talk about charming! This multi level bookstore has just about every book you could imagine (and even some you can't!), not to mention a wonderful kids section to boot. I needed a gift for my sister's new child (his name is Tyler and he's about a year old) and everyone I spoke to in the children's area had so many helpful suggestions. I ended up getting Pat The Bunny for him, which came highly recommended. I didn't spend too much extra time here but I did get a book for myself, too! I don't consider myself much of a reader (mostly good old fashioned tv for me!), but Claire had mentioned Neil de Grasse Tyson a few times, so I got something called "Astrophysics For People In A Hurry". I wouldn't consider myself someone who's in a hurry but I like his sense of humor! Claire talked about Neil so much I think she has a little crush on him. She loooved his voice. She'd always say it was as deep and resonant as space itself. But she said it better. I hope she's doing well. I never got married. I was close once but we just didn't see eye to eye. Woman are such a mystery! But not in a bad way. The Universe is a mystery too, and no one would ever call it a bad thing. It just is what it is.

I had been waiting not-so-patiently for Northshire to open. I'm glad to once again see a large bookstore on Broadway in Saratoga, and I wonder what people will think of it compared to the now-defunct Borders. I think the comparison will be favorable, if not better, especially after the cafe opens (not yet open as of this writing), plus it's not a chain. If you are familiar with their store in Manchester, VT, you'll get the same feel here. It has the same charm, structure, type of layout, etc. It has a large selection of local and regional books on the right as you enter. Comfortable chairs are available for reading, though not quite as many as I would have hoped. What you also get is a lot more open space for ease of navigating. You'll probably note some differences too: - A much larger children's section, i.e. the entire second floor. - Fewer magazines. This is a personal disappointment, because I really enjoy the wide variety of magazines in the Manchester store. - Fewer calendars. Again, similar for me to Manchester. - No music section. Granted, the music section in the Manchester store was fairly small, but I almost always found CDs of interest. Can't find any if there's none. Regardless of comparison, it's a great add to Broadway.

I can't believe on all my strolls down Broadway I have yet to stop in Northshire, the land of books and the masters of the coolest of things! Today I finally took a gander at what I thought to be a little Shop! This is no small bookstore my friends, it is a huge space on Broadway and it has an upstairs! Mind blown. The staff was friendly and quite helpful. There is a giant upstairs section for kids with a huge dinosaur display, a huge inventory of children's books and an assortment of gifts/toys. Attention Teachers: this place rocks and gives you 15% off any items bought for your class!!! My personal favorites were the records section and the adult coloring books. I wanted to buy them all! This place even had the Bob Dylan Basement Tapes Box Set!!! I can't wait to go back and indulge in a few of my favorite things!!

Great independent bookstore. It's my default place to get books. Good selection and you can order if needed. Only negative is that they had a public bathroom but inexplicably no longer do. So it's not a place that really invites you to stay for very long. Otherwise, good stuff.

What a great bookstore!! So many rooms to browse though. So many things to look at. Lots of people just hanging out and talking. People sitting around reading. Prices were great and they even had used books for sale! I wish I lived closer, I'd shop there a lot!

My must visit store at Saratoga each year! The place has beautiful display, great recommendations for books and very comfortable seating! Nobody will rush you or get in your way! You can browse through large collections of books and many have amazingly low price tags! I also like the great stationary they have! Rare seen postcards, cards and interesting gadgets. Here are a few postcards I got and they are extremely beautiful and unique!

I purchased a jigsaw puzzle which I discovered I already owned, tried to return it. Northshire is not accepting returns due to "covid." I was advised that they have no idea when or if they will accept returns...ever. This is a BAD policy and one which customers are not told. I've been a Northshire patron for over 40 years (Manchester store). I will not return.

The store was clean, the selection was larger than anticipated, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go back!

I love this place. The workers were very friendly. I asked what they would recommend and they went out their way to go over and show me new things. Thanks!

Such a cute bookstore with amazing titles. I love all of the staff recommendation plaques around the whole store and all the fun tchackis that we know and love in a good bookstore. A whole floor for the kids and LOTS of great reading nook couches.

I do love this store. The staff is so pleasant and helpful, always willing to help you find something or make a recommendation. The book selection is varied, and the SFF section is pleasantly robust, as are the graphic novels! The children's section is well rounded and extensive, with the minor exception of children's nonfiction which I rather think could be expanded in some areas (barring the science section which is huge and awesome). [Here be quibbles, which look a lot more extensive than they really are: There's a million sports books, and a good selection of (empowering & varied) books for girls, but the history sections in general are a little lacking. The ancient history / non-American history section is thin, as is the modern history section (which is almost entirely books about the Civil War and the Holocaust/WWII). The black history section is fairly well-developed, though Asian and Latinx titles are also a bit thin on the ground. And I'm not sure what kids are interested in reading biographies about authors, to be honest; that section was weirdly huge. It's probably a really difficult section to buy for, and I certainly appreciate the job Northshire is doing, but perhaps expanding the variety of children's historical non-fiction could be explored.] The adult history section is very nicely diverse. And there's always great goodies, pretty stationery, cute little oddities to save you when you can't find a birthday or Christmas present for someone-- and gift wrap to wrap it all up in!

Is this a bookstore or Santa's workshop?! This place is incredible. So very much to do, so many things to see. Oh, and you can buy books too! I needed somewhere to nurse while there and needed to occupy my 1 and 3 year old kids at the same time. They have an amazing play area for kids to explore and keep busy... with a comfy chair as well! Staff was incredibly helpful as well, assisting my husband in ordering a book that they didn't have (which is surprising, given that the volume of books was comparable to a VERY large library) and were quick to call him when it came in. We haven't made it back yet but, will be sure to visit again!

Pros --great bookstore, just one con. I purchased a recently released New York Times bestseller and it was great that they had it, but it was priced literally 3 times what I could have got it for on Amazon . I could have purchased the book I wanted, plus 2 more books, gotten free shipping, and spent the same money on Amazon as I spent on my 1 book at Northshire. But I do like having an actual brick and mortar bookstore so I will still shop there. The service is very helpful and friendly!

Love this place. I always like to support local businesses when I can & these guys make it easy with such a large selection & friendly staff, you can't go wrong.

This is a great independent bookstore. Awesome kids section with books you won't see anywhere else (the whole upstairs). Their prices are competitive. It's a very welcome addition to Saratoga. The only even remotely negative thing to be said is it can get a little cramped when very busy.

Wonderful bookstore! I'm so glad I walked in to find this gem! It has such personality and character all while creating a sense of calm, cozy and comfort. They had a great selection of books and gifts, including a full children's section upstairs. And of course no surprise, great customer service.

An absolute gem of a bookstore. They have a great selection of books, as well as a beautiful collection of stationery, notebooks, calendars, and other nicknacks. I'm so thankful for this beautiful store!

I visit this area once a year and I always visit this bookstore. The layout lets me browse easily and see a lot of books I wouldn't normally pick up. The selection is awesome and I always buy more than I plan. Staff members often recommend books they have read - and they have short written notes below some of these books. I buy over 50 books online every year and I must say that it's much better to have "book people" helping you than buying online based on reviews.

Supporting this local book store is super easy - it's easy to find, a great location on Broadway in Saratoga, lots of variety, helpful staff and little nooks with leather chairs to read AND a great new little bakery/lunch place (Berkshire Bakery) - now attached. A must try!

Amazing selection, notably clean store, and exceptional employees. On my latest visit I was assisted by Chris V who was extremely pleasant and helpful, which goes for every experience with their staff. This goes for both the Saratoga and Manchester location. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.

The stuff of bookstore dreams. Inviting, clean, airy space with a thoughtfully curated selection of books, gift items (stationary, art supplies, jewelry, clothing), and even music (LPs). The downstairs is dedicated to grownups and the upstairs is a haven for kids. Ample seating, staff recommendations in each section, a culture that supports browsing, knowledgable and friendly staff. My kids have spent hours here. I appreciate they they stock less known and indie kid's authors -- there is always something to discover in a hands-on way that online just doesn't bridge. We always leave with a bag of goodies because we want the shop to stay in business. Please - never close!!!

I absolutely LOVE this place! It's hard to know where to begin. First off - independent bookstore. The variety and organization of the books is not like what you'd see in a Borders or Barnes and Noble. There are multiple tables throughout the place with book displays and reviews organized as "like this? Then read this!" Second - amazing staff. These people READ the books they sell. They also know where the book you're looking for is without having to check their computer. Third - yummy bakery. You can have a seat, look at your books, and have a halfmoon and a cup of coffee. Then you can shop for more books Fourth - an entire second floor devoted to kids books. And this is really sweet. It's perfectly decorated for kids, right through the teen ages. It's zoned into appropriate reading areas. There are lots of comfy chairs. And since it's on its own floor, the kids feel kind of special up there. Fifth - Only one staircase leading to the kids section. So the kids can look upstairs and - if you're strategic about what books you choose - you can stay downstairs and enjoy your own books. This is ideal for parents who are a little tired of cooing over Clifford's new adventure or yet another tween vampire series. Sixth - While the kids section has toys, it is not dominated by toys, so your kids will actually look at and choose books to buy. Seventh - Reviews of books throughout the store, in both adult and kids sections. Back of the book doesn't have enough info about the plot? No worries - there is probably a review. If not, ask a staff member. Chances are, someone has read the book. Eighth - Lots of natural light. This is key in an area where you can have cloud cover for days. Combine the big windows and plush chairs with a hot cup of coffee and this bookstore is pretty close to heaven. Ninth - Free shipping. In case you want to buy more books than you can carry.

One of the best bookstores I have been in. Northshire has something for everyone, and it has proven to be a relevant shop in the academic world, as well. Very excited to have it in Saratoga!