Booktown Books

Category:	Used Book Store
Address:	107 Bank St, Grass Valley, CA 95945, USA
Phone:	+1 530-272-4655
Site:	booktownbooks.com
Rating:	4
Working:	10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 11AM–5PM

Location

Photos 45

Reviews 6

Mitchell Olson

Let me start by saying I have been going to Booktown Books for over 4 years and have purchased dozens of books from them. Whenever Im looking to buy a book I check there first to support local businesses even though several of the vendors are a bit pricey. Friday I dropped by with my partner and a mutual friend to do some early Christmas shopping. With not much of a direction we started perusing through the labyrinth of books that Booktown Books has become. Upon entering the balding man behind the counter asked if we were looking for anything in particular. We said we were just looking for Christmas gifts and would ask if we needed help. Five minutes later he comes up to me and asks again if I need help. I say no as Im debating between which volume of Calvin and Hobbs my nephew doesnt have. After taking a guess I went to find my partner and friend who had found a few books as well. We split up one more time only to find myself in the back area looking through the foreign language section with my friend. I had set my books down on the top of the shelf and was thumbing through an edition of "Japanese for Busy People" when the balding man appeared a 3rd time within 15 minutes to ask if we needed help. Were alright I said gesturing with my book. To which he replied, and I quote. "This is a book store, not some sort of hang out, so either buy something or get out." Before I could reply from my stunned state he had shuffled off back towards the front. In all the years Ive been going here Ive never had one negative interaction with the vendors; though I have seen several. Within 15 minutes of entering we had been told to either buy something or leave. So we did just that. We dropped our pile of books on a shelf and just walked out. I dont think any of us will be spending our money there anytime soon if ever again. Its a shame. I really do love the books. But after thinking it over it seems in the last year Booktown Books has really gone down hill and become less and less welcoming. I just hadnt noticed because my nose was always in a book. If youre looking for an old or rare book you wont find anywhere better in Grass Valley but if youre looking for a place to discover good books and have a decent conversation about literature keep looking. Or, at the very least, keep away from the slightly short balding man. One bad apple and all that.

Thomas Montgomery

Upon walking into Booktown Books, an older lady at the counter was arguing loudly about her convoluted ideas about American politics. I perused the books for over an hour looking for a couple specific books. As I was getting ready to check out, a gentleman walked in looking for books on a specific subject. The same lady told him a couple sections where they could be found, and I having just browsed through these same shelves, told him that a certain shelf had a lot of the books on said subject. Then the lady proceeded to growl at me and spoke to me in an extremely harsh and rude voice to the effect of: Dont tell our customers where they can find the books theyre looking for! I have spent hours looking through various sections and knew exactly where he would find the books he might want. I can only assume that she is greedy and wanted the gentleman to buy from her section, and not look through the awesome and amazing section that I pointed him to. I have been coming to this book store for years, and sadly, I think I will be shopping elsewhere from now on.

KaRinn Wright

Booktown Books is one of the best bookstores in Northern California, if not the best. It is a co-operative run by eleven people, most of whom are very knowledgeable about books. From the other reviews Ive read, those three guys just picked a bad day to come in. Most of the dealers are very polite, friendly and helpful. They dont hang over your shoulder and bug you, they let you look as long as you like, and they never, ever tell you to buy something or get out! If that happens to you, ask the offenders name then please go to the counter and report it or call the store on some other day and talk to someone other than the offender. Dont put it online and drive customers away from the only really great bookstore in town.

Steve G

I havent had the problems with service that the other reviewer noted, but I havent been there in a few months either, so perhaps things have gone downhill since I was last there. I hope not. In any case, this secondhand bookstore consists of a great number of small sections, each owned by a different seller. In total, there are a lot of books in the store. But, since each section is separately curated and closely managed, there arent many deals to be found. Still, all in all, an interesting lot of books.

The Kingdom of Ideas

The people who work at this establishment all have their own sections of books, and they know what they have like the back of their hands. They will be ready to help you if you have any questions. The place is a freaking wonderland of never ending stories. Whether or not you live in town or are a traveller-you must visit.

cassandra hamlin

What a fanatic mall of books!!! I could spend hours in here and it feels like minutes. Staff is friendly and helpful!!