David R.
Yelp
I really want to support this place and we need more independent bookstores but there are a few reasons why I probably won't be doing much business here. The store is cute enough, squeezed as it is into the narrow storefront that used to be the Kristi Engle gallery. The space is bright and airy, with books out front and an interesting window display. However, on browsing, I was disappointed to see a very predictable and safe selection of books at less than tempting prices. I am actually more than happy to pay a few extra dollars for a book from an actual bricks and mortar store, but there was nothing here that one could not get at deep discount online. I would call myself a moderate bibliophile. I am not asking that they ditch the Dave Eggers and coffee table art books for samizdat tracts written by North Korean dissidents three hundred feet under the earth's crust, but I had hoped for something a little more curated that felt as much a labor of love as a pandering to the arriviste York Blvd coffeehouse demographic (see the excellent Mount Analog for a perfect case study of how this balance can be achieved). As with others here, I also find the customer service a little lacking. I am happy to browse uninterrupted but somehow do not feel welcome whenever I go in. All that said, this place could still be great and it does seem that they are interested in stocking sone local zines, etc. Hopefully, their selection will improve over time and independent bookstores can thrive.