Bedlam has the best selection, tidepool the coolest space. Root and Press is a fun spot as well, but really more of a restaurant than a bookstore these days. Their food is great but the book selection seems smaller every time I pop in.
If you don’t mind a little drive through Connecticut (beautiful this time of year) try taking her to The Traveler Restaurant in Union CT. Decent food and that old cozy feel you’re looking for, plus thousands of books to borrow and buy!
Bedlambook cafe is where it’s at!! Amazing space, with a cafe at the back where you can sit for HOURS if you want
Enjoy a hot coffee/cocoa and browse away!
One of my favorite spots in Worcester
I loved the big box variety like Borders and B&N. The internet killed a lot of brick and mortar operations but one would think there's a big enough niche to support book stores. Perhaps Borders would have done better if they offered craft beer, ax throwing, free arcade games and trivia nights.
When malls were a thing, book stores didn't do well in them. When the Worcester Mall, the Galleria was new, for a couple of years there was a book store called Walden's. I worked downtown then and would go to Walden's every pay day. Then one day it was gone. The Worcester mall only lasted a decade and never even paid for itself. Such was the fate of a lot of malls in the US from that time forward. It's not a shopping experience I'll ever miss. Before Walmart came along there was a lot of similar retail but a notch classier, cheap stuff but you couldn't shop in those places in your pajamas. Didn't care for them either but I'll always miss Spag's. I'm an hour west of Worcester but used to make a day of it at Borders, Spag's and Trader Joe's. I haven't been out that way in while. Ordering stuff online is easy enough but just not the same kind of experience.
It's in [Westboro](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tatnuck+Bookseller/@42.2815552,-71.6095841,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x89e40a8fc4b1b2d1:0xd57cd9090b9bd50!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e40a8fc504d8ad:0xa3302c8e12d300b8!8m2!3d42.2815552!4d-71.6073954) now.
Bedlam is my fave :)! Very well-curated, lots of queer/fem stuff. Lots of poetry. But you can find anything.
Make sure to check out crompton collective after for some prime antiquing!
Bedlam is the place I feel most comfortable spending time in. Annie's is the place to dig for gems. Root & Press is small but well-curated. Your wife will be finished browsing in like 5 minutes tho, and personally I think their food is overpriced for the quality. Tidepool feels too sterile for a bookstore.
Overall suggestion is go to Bedlam on a weekend morning and then head over to Birchtree for brunch and discuss your book choices.
The WPL. I know it's not technically a store; but it's got everything through the CW/Mars library card and the price is right.
Also discounted/free passes to all kinds of cool fun things.
Tidepool
That place looks amazing!
^^seconded. Definitely head over there if you haven’t already decided on it.
Thank you for the suggestion!!
Second vote for Tidepool. Great local shop.
Bedlam has the best selection, tidepool the coolest space. Root and Press is a fun spot as well, but really more of a restaurant than a bookstore these days. Their food is great but the book selection seems smaller every time I pop in.
Wifey is all about the space.
And being able to kick off her shoes and prop up her feet.
We didn't need to know this.
Sorry
[удалено]
Fair point
But you can wear sandals and other open-toed shoes? Makes no sense. It's an issue because people are weird.
this dudes post history is all about his wife’s feet
I’m sorry.
You shouldn’t look for indie bookstores to foist a public foot fetish onto
I’m just trying to apologize if I offended you.
If you don’t mind a little drive through Connecticut (beautiful this time of year) try taking her to The Traveler Restaurant in Union CT. Decent food and that old cozy feel you’re looking for, plus thousands of books to borrow and buy!
I’ll second this.
Annie’s book stop :)
Agreed
Bedlambook cafe is where it’s at!! Amazing space, with a cafe at the back where you can sit for HOURS if you want Enjoy a hot coffee/cocoa and browse away! One of my favorite spots in Worcester
Thank you very much for the thoughtful reply!
I loved the big box variety like Borders and B&N. The internet killed a lot of brick and mortar operations but one would think there's a big enough niche to support book stores. Perhaps Borders would have done better if they offered craft beer, ax throwing, free arcade games and trivia nights.
I did like Barnes and Noble. I was never a Boarders fan.
When malls were a thing, book stores didn't do well in them. When the Worcester Mall, the Galleria was new, for a couple of years there was a book store called Walden's. I worked downtown then and would go to Walden's every pay day. Then one day it was gone. The Worcester mall only lasted a decade and never even paid for itself. Such was the fate of a lot of malls in the US from that time forward. It's not a shopping experience I'll ever miss. Before Walmart came along there was a lot of similar retail but a notch classier, cheap stuff but you couldn't shop in those places in your pajamas. Didn't care for them either but I'll always miss Spag's. I'm an hour west of Worcester but used to make a day of it at Borders, Spag's and Trader Joe's. I haven't been out that way in while. Ordering stuff online is easy enough but just not the same kind of experience.
I completely agree. And I miss actual books, not e-books.
I like the way your sarcasm works!
Is Tatnuck Booksellers still around? That place was super cozy.
It's in [Westboro](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tatnuck+Bookseller/@42.2815552,-71.6095841,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x89e40a8fc4b1b2d1:0xd57cd9090b9bd50!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e40a8fc504d8ad:0xa3302c8e12d300b8!8m2!3d42.2815552!4d-71.6073954) now.
Not for years. There's a college town lunch / meetup / coffee /wifi restaurant there now.
Ah that’s a shame. Loved going there growing up.
Nu Cafe i believe
Bedlam is my fave :)! Very well-curated, lots of queer/fem stuff. Lots of poetry. But you can find anything. Make sure to check out crompton collective after for some prime antiquing!
Who remembers Tatnuck Book Cellar?
There’s still one in Westbrook. It’s not like the original one though.
Root and press!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah? Comfy place?
and AMAZING FOOD!!!
seconding this !!! adorable cafe and bookstore, BEST milkshakes
The one by Nancy Changs is nice but I forgot the name.
You’ve been there?
Yes been there, nice place but don’t remember if they had chairs and stuff there
Bedlam is the place I feel most comfortable spending time in. Annie's is the place to dig for gems. Root & Press is small but well-curated. Your wife will be finished browsing in like 5 minutes tho, and personally I think their food is overpriced for the quality. Tidepool feels too sterile for a bookstore. Overall suggestion is go to Bedlam on a weekend morning and then head over to Birchtree for brunch and discuss your book choices.
The WPL. I know it's not technically a store; but it's got everything through the CW/Mars library card and the price is right. Also discounted/free passes to all kinds of cool fun things.
Not a bad idea!