“Very nice atmosphere and reasonably priced. They have very cool editions of classics, and we love the little Russian corner. I got some printed cards from Vera Smirnova's collection, and tbey were a holiday favorite. I will definitely be returning and would recommend to anyone who loves bookstores.”
“A group of my friends and I were in from out of town, looking for a place to hold a small get together. Charm City Books were gracious hosts and every accommodating. They had great communication throughout the planning process. The bookstore is adorable, clean and we were also able to browse the store. We had a great time.”
“Stopping by The Ivy Bookshop while I was in Baltimore reminded me why I love visiting new bookstores. There’s something about wandering the aisles and stumbling across unexpected gems, but the real highlight is always the staff picks. Getting a glimpse into what moved someone else, the stories that stayed with them and sparked emotions, is special. There’s a kind of connection in that, seeing passion translated into a simple recommendation card.”
“Small little bookstore located on the corner of an intersection. It’s cute. It could be easy to miss if you don’t look at the window sign or the GPS. The door makes it seem closed if you’re walking from an angled direction up to it. It was a quick in and out for me as I was only searching for a postcard, but I walked in on the shopkeeper taking her time to explain things to one of the customers so I assume she’s informative and helpful. I mainly ran into a lot of children’s books when I popped in, but I believe they had more selections along the other wall. No postcard at the time :( but I think she said that she would be restocking them the next day (I’d be leaving Baltimore the next day 😭)”
“This store has been providing cultural and educational resources for years. They also sale natural products and remedies, african clothing, jewelry, artifacts and specialty items. Their focus is on books and if they don't have it, they can order it”
“Think of The Book Thing as a giant little library built for an entire city. It's easy to drop off books because there is a separate lane in the back of the building for vehicles and dropoff dates are posted on the website. You may not have to leave your vehicle to donate! Keep in mind that hours are limited. The Book Thing depends on volunteer labor. PS I am uncluttering my home, so I never donate and look for books on the same trip.”
“We love Snug Books! Great selection for adults and children alike. Friendly staff members/owner. Check out the Saturday morning story time if you have little ones!”
“Absolutely fantastic experience! I came here for Record Store Day, and the staff could not have been kinder or more helpful. I called a few weeks in advance, and the staff member let me know they had the record I was looking for. They also mentioned they had moved locations and kindly gave me the new address so I wouldn’t accidentally go to the old spot. On the day of, I called before they were even open to make sure I was in the right place. Since they haven’t officially opened yet and don’t have their new signs up, a staff member actually came outside to greet me and personally confirm I was in the correct location. All around a wonderful experience with genuinely thoughtful customer service. I will definitely be back!”
“Quaint little record shop where I always find an album I am not looking for but need in my collection. Knowledgeably staff help find the rarities of shop and the backstory of the music.”
“Wonderful bookstore with a solid and different selection of titles. Uplifts the work of many writers of color and local authors. The owner is kind and friendly and does good work in the community and is a wonderful event host! Love this place ❤”
“This is the gem of Baltimore. This store is so gorgeous well organized and well-stocked with a fantastic abundant and fascinating collection of Jewish books. The Judaica and art are similarly rich in choice and style. I was absolutely wowed and I'm so excited to go back and bring my friends.”
“Great seforim selection and the staff is very knowledgeable of their merchandise as well as knowing their customers to help them find the right sefer for their needs. I can spend a day just browsing in their easily ?”
“Amazing place, the owner is super friendly. prices are super reasonable, they have anything from dried flowers and herbs, crystals, books, statue sculptures, jewelry, anything your heart desires! I only visit once or twice a year but I've been going here for over 10 years now and I've never left disappointed. they also have photos of shoplifters on the wall behind the front counter and I love that”
“attended a book event there this past moday, beautiful location, easy to get to, wonderful book selection, and the staff made the event seamless. Two authors I had never read and it was nice to hear from both of them about their writing process and about their affection for Maryland.Great restaurants nearby to grab a bite to eat and plenty of parking was available.”
“Peace and Love to the World ?....... this institution is phenomenal ?. I was able to receive any and every book I wanted while I served a ten (10) year prison sentence. And their timing was on time every time.”
“Outstanding Customer Service!!! Eric went above and beyond to make sure I got the part that I needed. Exceptional businesses like this are few and far between.”
“Such an awesome selection of books and graphic novels. The woman who checked us what was super sweet. They were having a deal where you rolled a D20 and that’s what percentage you got off the books which was a really nice surprise and great deal.”
“This is a really great spot to visit and if you live in the area, would be a great spot to study or get some work done. I got their apple crumble crossiant, the chicken tenders and fries, and mac and cheese. The crossiant and chicken tenders were super yummy and they give you SO many fries so be prepared for that. I persoanlly didn't like the mac and cheese as it had a flavor I didn't quite like. My bf enjoyed the chicken caesar salad.”
“Such a wonderful find on W 36th Street! Chana, Fred and Charlotte are a delight to speak with and have a wonderful eye for all of the items in their shop! My personal favourite is the jewellery section, which Chana looks after, and I found a gorgeous silver bracelet to take back with me as a memento of visiting Baltimore! (I had to refrain from buying up loads of books in the bookshop as I wouldn’t be able to lug them in my suitcase but I can confirm they have a lovely variety!) Definitely not a store to be missed and I would recommend this store for history aficionados and fashion lovers! Thank you for making the buying experience a fun one! Best wishes, Emma”
“I had the chance to check out Vinyl and Pages this past weekend during the Christmas Village holiday market in Baltimore, MD and wow, what a hidden gem! Nestled inside the Made by Baltimore popup, this record and book lounge is a black-owned business that instantly transported me into a vibe I didn’t want to leave. The setup feels like someone’s cozy den with walls lined with vinyl albums and poster art of iconic musicians. There are also chess tables where people were casually playing a game. It truly felt like stumbling into a friend’s impromptu house party, warm, inviting, and full of personality. The shelves are mostly stocked with books by Black authors and the energy in the space is just right. If you need a little break, Cuples Tea, run by the owner’s wife, is just a few steps away. They serve a beautiful selection of teas and treats that are perfect for sipping while listening to records or diving into a new book. Meeting the owner who was DJ’ing in the store while we visited added such a personal touch to the experience. It is clear this is more than just a shop, it is a space for community, culture, and creativity. Vinyl and Pages has been thriving in Baltimore for several years and it is exciting to see local black-owned businesses like this continue to grow. If you are in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and love vinyl records, books, or tea, this spot is a must-visit. I will definitely be back soon. Pro tip: Stop by the Vinyl & Pages holiday popup first for a taste of the vibes, but make sure to check out the main store just around the corner.”
“The woman who responded first to my call about buying a local B&N gift card referred me to her manager, Janice. Janice assured me the B&N gift card bought in Massachusetts could be used by an incoming freshman in September. That was definitely appreciated. I had made the same call to Texas A&M for the same reason and said the card could not be used. Thank you.”
“Really fantastic remote work or student work option for coffee as they have a nice atmosphere and plenty of space to work. Great coffee options as well with a few interesting twists like the vanilla mint matcha I tried. I didn't try one but their pastry options looked fantastic.”
“Pretty sick place. Got some good books and stickers. It’s relatively over priced there but I understand bc it’s locally owned and like a small business. I’ll def be coming back.”
“I love Morgan!!!! I purchased items at Homecoming, but they were too big. I drove back down to exchange them. Support HBCUs!!! Then, I enjoyed lunch at the restaurant next door!!!”
“I recently first ordered with great success. The customer service is better than most I have encountered in a while. They go out of their way to communicate. My item shipped and delivered quickly. Item was well packaged in box with more than sufficient protection. Their pricing is very reasonable. Extremely happy with entire transaction. Thank you Kevin, Ezra and the rest of the team that made this happen!!”
“This is the CUTEST PLACE!!! Please go visit them. Not only are the books interesting they have many things for either children or desk related things. I’m from Baltimore and it’s crazy that I don’t have anything related to here so I got this beautiful Baltimore map in my favorite color. The young lady that I spoke with was so nice and said they’ve been open for years 😭 . I feel so crazy with just visiting today. I would have came sooner seeing as it’s right around the corner from Dutch Courage.”
Barnes & Noble is proving that physical bookstores aren't going anywhere. The retailer just opened three new locations across Texas and South Carolina, marking another step in its comeback story. Barnes & Noble opened 57 stores in 2024 alone - more than it had opened in the entire decade from 2009 to 2019. The company isn't slowing down either, with plans to open more than 60 new stores in 2025 and a goal of reaching over 1,000 stores nationwide in the coming years.
