Three story book store

There is a similar iconic used book store in St. Petersburg that I visit every few months. Haslam's. Haslam's is a string of stores in old St. Pete. It was a favorite of the late Warren Wiersbe. As soon as you walk in the store you can smell the old books. The store owners want you to sit down and read. There are tables and chairs everywhere for you to do just that. I love the place. Their Christian book section is large. I found some very old Spurgeon classics.

 

One of my favorite places is a small store called "Twice Sold Tales" in the town next to ours. Probably closer to 10,000 books than half a million but then our entire 1,800 square mile county has only about 32,000 people.

 

So I must say that when my wife and I pick a vacation spot, the next thing I do is scope out potential used bookstores along the route.
At Christmas we visited Maine once again (grandkids). We spent two nights in Freeport (three used bookstores in Bath) and spent one of the days in Portland (three used bookstores on Central Street).
However nothing beats Volumes Used Books at the top of Maine, in Houlton.

Thing to look for with used bookstores.

1. Are they advertised on the internet?
2. Do they sell books on the internet?

If they do the owner probably knows what his books are worth and prices may be greater, or the good ones, those worth something will be picked over.​

3. How are the books organized? General Type (fiction, non fiction, romance, paperbacks, history) Specific organization, (WW2 books, Sci-fi, etc.), Little organization (in boxes or stacks).

Look for treasures among bookstore that don’t really know what they have. The greater the organization, the greater prices of the books and the less likely you’ll find a treasure.​

4. Do they sell coffee or (gasp) tea?

You’re looking for a good book, not a social encounter. If they sell food you probably won’t find a treasure.​

5. Businessman Owner. Is the owner on the phone making deals.... he probably knows what his books are worth.

I once stopped into a used bookstore barn in Virginia. The sign read, “take what you want, pay what you want”. I gathered 5 dusty books, paid $20 and as we were walking out I jokingly whispered to my wife, “we’ve got to get out of here quick, we just stole some treasures”. One of the books was a full sized, Nestle Greek New Testament (15th edition) from 1932.

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The tall tan one is the one I found in Virginia. My newest is on the left side to the right of the bookend, a 1903 4th edition Nestle GNT.

Rob

 

Rob,
If you get to Maine in the future, and to Farmington in particular, Twice Sold Tales is just past the stoplight in the middle of town. (And after perusing the books, which are organized alphabetically in categories much like your #3, you might continue north to the Rangeley Lakes or Sugarloaf/Bigelow.)

 

The biggest Used book store in my immediate area is Powell's in Portland, Oregon. I have been there several times and can spend hours browsing. Not sure how many books. There are 4 levels but the two bottom levels are the largest. There is a picture on the about page at their site.

Powell’s Books | The World’s Largest Independent Bookstore

 

One of the things I miss most about my pre-Covid life is bookstores. I have not been to a bookstore since Covid struck and cannot imagine it will be possible to enter one for a very long time. I have never in my life gone so long without entering a bookstore.

 

I must say I have missed my adventures as well. I didn't always leave with treasure, but often I found something of interest. It's not the same strolling internet used book stores.

It will be okay though. It does appear that we maybe rounding a corner with this virus. They are getting very close to releasing the vaccine. It won't bring an end to this right away, but it will mark a path to recovery.

 

I am not feeling as hopeful about the vaccine as some others. I want to be wrong, but I am responsible to move forward according to what I believe.

I think our leaders think it is important for the economy that people feel confident enough to spend money over the holiday. Positive talk about a vaccine will increase spending.

I am so thankful for the online bookstores, but they are not the same as browsing in a real store. I am craving physical books in my hands more than ever, now. I am going to have to order some books from time to time to stay sane. Tactile experiences are important for animals and for humans.