Easily my favorite bookstore in RVA. Owners Chris and Berkley are super-enthusiastic book nerds who…read moreare kind, friendly, and knowledgeable. Whenever I go in to talk books (and of course buy books), their eyes light up and they turn me on to titles and authors I didn't even know existed--which is both appreciated and amazing, considering the volume of books I read. I also love how intelligently curated their selection is. There are no piles of shitty, ghost written James Patterson novels here, only titles worthy of any inquisitive reader's attention. I just love this place. The two cats, Mylar and Page, that wander the store and say hello only add to the charm that is Shelf Life Books.

Absolutely adorable bookstore in Carry Town!! Great selection of books, recommendations from staff,…read moreand the cutest cats hanging out.

If the name fits... and it does! Collectors of Topps baseball cards, as well as gaming cards will…read morebe delighted at the extensive selection of cards at this Lakeside location. They carry Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Dragon Ball and other gaming titles in single packs, decks and box sets. Trading cards are all the rage. They host league tournaments for various card events for gaming enthusiasts. They don't stock comic books or figurines, but if you're a card collector, their inventory runs from Star Wars to TV cards to anything from A-Z! There are plenty of tables in this homey, welcoming atmosphere. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and if you're new the the card scene, they make you feel like a regular in no time. Collector's Heaven also supports FeedMore with food drives which helps to feed those in need in the community. They're definitely playing with a full deck!

I was really disappointed with my experience at this card shop. From the moment I walked in, no one…read moregreeted me or acknowledged that I was there. Instead, the employees just seemed to stare at me the entire time, which made the atmosphere feel uncomfortable and unwelcoming. I spent quite a while browsing, but not a single staff member asked if I needed help or even spoke to me. It felt like customers were an inconvenience rather than appreciated. To make matters worse, the shop had a noticeable unpleasant odor that made it difficult to enjoy looking around. A friendly greeting, basic customer service, and a cleaner environment would go a long way toward making this a place people actually want to return to. Unfortunately, based on my experience, I don't plan on coming back.

This was my third visit to 2nd & Charles, and it continues to deliver. Stopped in for their…read morePenny-A-Page event and somehow walked out with 7 books for under $35. Yes, we did it in two transactions; no judgement Their selection is seriously impressive; everything from kids' books to adult reads, so it's easy to get lost browsing. I've also picked up CDs here as gifts, and the condition has always been pristine. If you're into collectibles, they have a huge selection of Funko Pops, and their video game section is a solid find for collectors too. If you love a good bargain, this place is a must. Buying used is not only budget-friendly, but it's also a win for the environment. Highly recommend!

Many of the staff here were attentive and provided impeccable service during the holiday shopping…read morebonanza that bestowed the 2025 season. The store was well organized amidst the chaos. There was a huge selection of books, music, Funko Pops, and tons of other items. The prices were reasonable, though, some of the plushies were ridiculously priced. (e.g., the little stuffed insect plague doctor has been $35 for a few years now ). Anyway, I wanted to shout out a special thank you to the employee who found my phone, immediately put it in the safe, and called the number I left on the lock screen to get it back to me. I was very touched by the thoughtfulness of those involved. I wanted to say thank you again

Amazing shop that has comics and graphic novels! The two people working when I stopped in were…read moresuper kind and incredibly knowledgeable. The store was surprisingly big compared to the outside, with tons of variety from blank comic covers for artists to banned graphic novels. The value felt very fair for everything they also have a few mystery packs of 30 books for 14.99 which was super fun to open/check out! Definitely recommend if you're looking for a new book or searching for a graphic novel that you've been wanting!

Great place!! Lots in stock to choose from!! Needed something for my step son and couldn't wait for…read moreAmazon. A couple of bucks more at the storefront, but just loved the atmosphere. Staff was very nice and not annoyingly in your face. Was nice to walk around and just look and take my time picking something out. I like to give business to places like this so that they don't go away. It's nice to go and look around instead of "looking" on Amazon. Keep it up!! Great place!!

A bookstore in Richmond to visit on Broad Street. I found parking around the corner since you can't…read morepark in front of the store. When I got there, they had a table of books for $1, mostly kid's books. Once inside, there are books along the wall. I also saw comic books, records and some vintage ads by decades. They have a very tiny kid's section nothing to rave about. My impression is that they had a lot of books, but not a lot of popular books. It was still worth a look. I did see some books about Art and Architecture. I am sure I am missing mentioning more, but that is what I remembered. The books were fairly priced and was glad to find 2 books. You can see my pics to see them. The bookstore seems to have been there a long time. It doesn't look like it's been updated ever. There is an old vibe here, but these are the kinds of bookstore you will find something cool and rare. The old register at the counter is also a classic.

The coolest place I've been to EVER. The first thing I noticed was the amazing musty smell of old…read morecarpet and BOOKS! The selection was vast so it will take me quite some time to peruse but this store is an absolute gem. There's a little something for everyone and I'm sure quite a few items you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Definitely worth stopping by

Honestly, this is my favorite comic book store in the Richmond area. Every selection is catered to…read morethe niche of every reader. They don't only have newer selections, but also a vast amount of older issues for those who are looking to maximize their collection. The employees are very nice and knowledgeable of a variety of stories and what they have in stock, often providing recommendations and even assisting in ordering books at your request. The pricing is always reasonable, especially when it comes to the more "vintage" selections. Definitely will continue to shop here whenever I need a good read!

Stories Comics is a solid comic shop with a great selection and a lot of inventory. Pure comics,…read moretoo, not a bunch of gamer stuff or anime bikini statues. PROS: Lots of back issue bins and lots of trade paperbacks. A nuts amount of DC Archives, Marvel Masterworks. Dark Horse pre-code horror collected editions, etc. Nice mix of old and new stuff. Also a good amount of third party and alternative comics. Some discount bins, but I didn't find anything worth even the discounted price. The store is clean, bright, and organized. This is a solid version of a traditional sort of comic shop. CONS: No real cons to speak of here, other than there isn't really anything unique that makes this store stand out. No specific flavor or personality to it. This is just a classic, straightforward comic shop. Nothing wrong with that. VERDICT: There's a lot of good comics competition in Richmond. Some for weirdos, some for normies. This shop is for the more traditional comics fan, who just wants the best version of a standard comic book store.

Love this card shop. Favorite place to go on the weekends, and the number one spot to buy packs and…read moreboxes. Super friendly atmosphere and awesome staff. Never had a bad experience at this place.

A T M O S P H E R E The shop itself is put together very…read morewell and the layout is easy to maneuver. As for the staff... the lack of customer service skills ruins my outlook on this well put together shop and literally has me not wanting to return.. Very. Limited. Parking. which fills up quick, so if you can... come on a week day to avoid getting blocked in. S E R V I C E The female sitting behind the counter today was incredibly rude. She never said hello or welcomed us, or any of the other customers in. And when I went to check out, she just stared at me and never asked me if I was ready, if I found everything okay, or anything... Not customer friendly at all. Might as well have been at a self checkout machine, would've received more interaction from AI. V A R I E T Y They have a decent variety! Magic the Gathering, One Piece, Pokémon, Warhammer, Anime, Comics, Yu-Gi-Oh!, a huge books selection, and more.

I wish I'd known this shop was so close to me. Cool guy, heckuva selection of records, comics,…read moreTPB's, you name it. Need to spend a whole lot more time looking thru everything!

Cerebral Vortex (inside Regency Mall) is a dream come true if you're looking for hip alternative…read morecomix, vintage fanzines, and rare minicomics. It's also a dream if you think run-of-the-mill superhero back issues should cost $1. PROS: Unique selection, variety, and endless dollar bins. You will find all kinds of amazing stuff you've never seen before. And all the stuff you have seen before? It's probably only a dollar. Or if you're not a cheapskate, they have plenty of those expensive "keys" and stuff, too. CONS: I don't know. Sometimes Jason plays jazz in the store? And I guess if you're the type of poser who wishes comic book stores had more funko pops and gaming tables, you don't deserve this store. This place doesn't have a new release wall and I don't think anyone cares about that. VERDICT: Congratulations, you've found the store you've been looking for. The owner, Jason Hamlin, has a reputation as a great comics dealer at conventions. He's a tastemaker who curates his store very well. So, even though it's not a huge store, and even though there aren't a ton of graphic novels and paperbacks, there also isn't a bunch of filler garbage. Recommended especially for bin divers and underground weirdos. (And I called you a poser, but Jason won't, he's a sweetheart. Very approachable and helpful.)