One of the most memorable experiences during my recent trip across the pond to New York was visiting the Strand Bookstore on 828 Broadway, Manhattan.
The store is a book lovers dream, and from the moment I walked in and saw its aisles that were arranged like mazes, I wanted to get lost inside and discover all the books hidden within the ceiling high shelves. If I would have had unlimited time, I could have easily spent the entire day at the Strand.
I’m the type of book lover that doesn’t always have his eyes set on a specific book. I’m always open to discovering something completely new, and often times I let the book covers and titles capture my attention. Because of this, the Strand was exactly the store for me. The store is designed to make every book you stumble on seem like a new possibility.
But if you’re the type of shopper that is looking for something specific then you may need to ask for some assistance, as there are hundreds of books stacked in each row. Thankfully the staff is friendly and extremely helpful. At one point I was caught up in conversation with my companion about a book I’d seen online, and a nearby assistant overheard and pointed us in the right direction.
Like most book shops, each section is categorized. But on the central floor space you’ll find tables with curated selections. There are also four floors full of books. One floor is entirely dedicated to rare books and manuscripts.
One unique thing about the Strand is that they also buy and sell used books. Based on research, I’ve seen that brand new book sales make up around 40% of the Strand’s revenue, meaning that their used books trade is also a significant chunk of their business. All book hoarders know how important it is to have the option to sell off old or unwanted books, so this is another bonus about coming to Strand Bookstore. You can bring a stack of books with you to get rid of and replace them with a fresh haul. This is something that not all of the big book retailers here the UK offer.
As a tourist, there was also one kind of product I was extremely interested in, and that’s bookmarks. Seeing as I was traveling, I wanted as much memorabilia as I could get. Bookmarks were a perfect way to remember my journey, while also bringing something back for fellow book lovers. The Strand has a nice selection of bookmarks, magnets, pins and stationary. It also has its very own custom bookmarks that you can take for free.
If you’re in New York and you love books then you absolutely have to visit Strand Bookstore. If heaven exists for a book lover, then the Strand is definitely it.
– Pictures inside this article taken by Dana Abercrombie
