This is one of the most unique bookstores I've ever been to. When you first walk into this building that looks like an old castle, you are given a map - that's how big this place is and how many nooks and crannies there are! It's stocked with used books, mostly from several decades ago, so don't expect to find recent releases. I snagged two Agatha Christie books, which can be challenging to find. It's a fun place to explore, and if you're looking for an older book, this is the place to come. read more

Baldwin Book Barn - Baldwin's Book Barn - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

10/10 stars for Baldwin Book Barn! This spot was on my list of bookstores (in the world) to visit and I was not disappointed! A barn filled with books! I explored all the books and crannies and can't wait to visit again! The bookseller is a charm and was happy to chat and share the store's treasures! Everything is for sale and I'm told that was very important to Mr. Baldwin! If you are a bookie or even want a different kind of field trip, this is well worth it! read more

Baldwin Book Barn - My new favorite independent bookseller sharing some history of Baldwin's Book Barn. - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

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one of the best hidden gems of PA. I could get lost in there for hours. must visit!!!

I had been wanting to visit for a couple of years, and I was finally able to do so yesterday. There are several excellent used book stores I've visited over the years. What they all have in common is excellent curation. The owner has a good sense of what sort of collection they want to assemble, and purchases collections from other collectors with similar good taste. Unfortunately, I think the Baldwin Book Barn is no longer doing this, if it ever did. I found lots of open space on the shelves. The science fiction and fantasy selections were very disappointing. I could not find a horror section. Philosophy had meager offerings. Very disappointed, to be honest. read more

What an amazing, unique place! It's a old barn renovated to house so many books. No new books here just antique, vintage and generally old books crammed onto shelves, cabinets and every nook and cranny. Four floors of books are divided by category and range in price from a few dollars to hundreds for antique books. It was fascinating to walk around the inside and outside. I could've browsed for hours. I found an old copy of The Joy of Cooking! The barn itself is from the 1800s and was mostly original. The grounds were beautiful. We watched a red tail hawk for awhile. The steps going up were a little steep and could be hazardous to your head There are bathrooms located on the first floor. Lots of parking is available read more

Baldwin Book Barn - Sitting room - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

What a magical place! We took a sporadic day date trip. Baldwins did not disappoint. Floors upon floors of books! New and used. Amazing prices, we left with 13 books for under $80.00, many new. Do yourself a favor and spend some time here! read more

Baldwin Book Barn - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

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It's meh. If they did some little things, such as add some music, offer coffee, install a few nice reading nooks, etc., this place could be really good. Also, selection, while massive, isn't great...also way overpriced!!! read more

This place is amazing! The selection is unbelievable. They have something for everyone. Even if you don't read I'm sure there is something to peak your interest even if it's just looking at the cool rare books in the front. The prices are reasonable and the experience is very cool. Would not pass up a chance to go! Plan on staying at least an hour here. When you go in you can grab a map that will help you navigate the 4 floors of books. Also the barn has a pretty neat history and is over 200 years old. read more

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When I was a kid, there was an old bookstore in the South Street Seaport in New York City. The store was located inside a riverfront building that dates back to the late 18th century. The feel of store was unmistakable and left a lasting impression on me. When I enter Baldwin's, I am transported back to that old bookstore of my youth. Walking through four levels of books, it's easy for one to feel as if they've been transported to a bygone era, in which reading was the entertainment option of choice for most and still viewed as the single best escape from a hard worn day. Just when you think they couldn't possibly cram any more books into this old barn, you turn a corner, find all new nooks and crannies, and find yourself drawn to collections from every era over the last century. There's something other-worldly about Baldwin's that is hard to describe, but it's very easy to lose yourself for hours. The title selections cover every topic under the sun, with many of the offerings being long out of print and only available on the secondary market. The prices are reasonable, but make no mistake, this is not a discount bookstore. This is an independent seller, with books that you're not going to necessarily find at your big chain options. The service is friendly, very much in the vein of a mom and pop/private business. They conveniently provide a map so you can find your way around, and trust me it is useful. The proprietor is more than happy to guide you in the right direction, or chat about your purchases, or answer any questions you might have. If you have a friend or family member, who is a book lover, this is a must see destination for them. read more

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Fantastic used bookstore in a large old barn There are at least four floors of a wide range of books read more

Great bookstore with tremendous variety of genres and great selection. Owner was very nice. Bought several books from various genres, and one turned out to be a real collector's item, perhaps worth more that 3x what I paid for it! read more

This is definitely a unique used-book store. It has enormous collections but we'll organized. The map helps you find what you are looking for. Staff is very friendly and helpful. read more

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Such a fun place to get lost in!! They have hundreds of books in every genre-- I will say I went on a holiday weekend so didn't find anything I was dying to have (the agatha Christie shelf was empty!) so definitely go on a slower day-- I still spent two hours looking through books and I almost got some memoirs! The man who welcomes you is so sweet and they encourage you to stay and connect to WiFi. Will definitely come back if I am in the area read more

I'm a huge fan of used bookstores and have been lucky to visit a few dozen over the last decade in various parts of the country. This is the only one I've been to that I would consider grossly overpriced. In addition, the selection just isn't very interesting. The best thing about the place is the building itself but that alone isn't worth the trip. Oh, and the owner overcharged me which I didn't realize until after I'd left. Obviously no plans to go back. read more

My favorite place on this planet! The amazing smell of books, friendly staff & playful cats, and timeless lessons of books! Highly highly highly recommend you to take your kids, friends, and family here. Just get lost at some corner with great materials! read more

This historic dairy barn building has character. The selection of books is amazing . The staff friendly and helpful

This is a great used book store in a large old barn and just splendid to walk through itself. Sections are well labeled and stocked. If help if needed, they are more than happy to help find it. Prices are excellent here. read more

There aren't that many used book stores anywhere anymore, so finding a multilevel old house crammed full of every kind of book you can think of is pretty cool. Aisles and stairs (and ceilings) can get narrow, but it is well worth it. read more

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A large barn that has been converted into a book store. It has 4 stories accessible to the public with almost every genre you can think of. They also have a stock of harder to find books and some nice collectible hardbacks. The prices range based on the book but they all seem pretty reasonable. If you are in the area or passing by it's a nice stop. The interior is neat and a fun place to check out on its own. If you are a bookworm or looking for a gift for someone there is a good chance you can find something here worth your time. They have a restroom on the first floor of the barn that is clean and well kept. read more

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A unique used book store. Charming and chock-a-block with so many books it'll make your head spin!

Unpretentious and riddled without too many biases, this is a good weekend escape for the kids or for you. Labyrinth style walk through, magical... book heaven. Cat allergen yelpers... kitties do wander the property on occasion. On some days, you may see his cats! This may be bad for you, but only adds to the sheer delight of this gently used book fortress.. read more

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On a cool weekend spring afternoon, we decided on a road trip to wander around this picturesque area. We enjoyed poking around up and down this huge barn. Note that there are lots of steps and some poorly lit areas. Something for everyone and we came away with a very random selection of used books. There are some eclectic collections but I enjoyed perusing the cook books and pop fiction the most. read more

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Really good service, got the book I wanted! thanks! five stars! Cant wait to go again whenever that is! read more

Baldwin Book Barn - Baldwins book barn - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

I'm a reformed book hoarder. I once owned, at my worst, probably close to a thousand books. But several cross country and very expensive moves later, I'm down to holding a precious few. These tend to be books that I hold for sentimental reasons ("The Razor's Edge" by W. Somerset Maugham, an old leather bound version bought for one pound in a thrift shop in Camden Town, London; a handwritten journal of love poetry in Spanish dated from the 1800s that I found in Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of Peru, a book on impossible French cuisine by one of my best friends who is French and she knows damn well I'll never cook one of these dishes with 87 ingredients and requires 12 hours of cooking or doing ungodly things like spatchcocking chicken).... So several moves later, I have a hard rule - buy a book, but give it away or donate it unless it's special. The Baldwin Book Barn is the kind of place that makes you want to break the rules. I found a handful of books that were either about unusual topics or were just old and pretty. In fact, I believe you can buy old books here in bulk for decorating purposes! Now, some carry hefty price tags - $250 for a first run JD Salinger; $50 for a signed copy of a ubiquitous Craig Johnson Longmire book. Bottom line, this is the kind of places that embraces book hoarders like myself. Make creaky noises as you wander around the barn, find an empty chair, and make yourself comfy. read more

Loved this place! So cute and Cozy. Fun place for a date or a hangout. They have to give you a map because it's so big! Definitely would recommend to see and explore. Giant assortment of books something for everyone read more

Baldwin Book Barn - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

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My husband and I arrived a little earlier than opening time and we were welcomed in, even though we were politely waiting in our car until opening time. We spent hours poring over the books inside and came out with 8 for $50. (We were on vacation and didn't have much space to take more home with us.) It is a unique store with friendly staff. I would gladly visit again if I were in the area. read more

Baldwin Book Barn - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

This place is unique! Tons of books from this century and the last one! Five floors of books from this century and last century, in fact. Also: Cats. We found at least two well-fed cats wandering the property... Well, one wandering, and the other sleeping inside. The wandering one greeted everybody that got out a car or walked in from the road. Very friendly! All in all this was a neat experience, and I wish we'd had more time... There were so many books! read more

Stopped here on a way out Philly. Awesome book collection , four floors filled with old and new books. read more

Baldwin Book Barn - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

Baldwin Book Barn is a beautiful store with tons of character and the kindest staff. I could walk the stacks for days.

Great selections and great prices..I love the atmosphere. The time spent there is relaxing and I enjoy dropping in.

This is not a great bookstore for books "from every era, genre, and for all readers everywhere". If you're not one of the following, you should skip this store: If you love the ambiance of an old bookstore (without regard to the content of the books themselves), then this is the place for you. It smelled musty and antiquated, but also homey. The helter-skelter assortment of rooms created a book-ridden maze that was fun. If you like the following "serious" topics: biographies, serious literature, history, military, and rich peoples' hobbies (yachting, gunsmithing). The fiction that they do have tends to be focused on thrillers and suspense - fantasy, science fiction, mysteries, and westerns are not here in abundance, partly because this place seems to view paperbacks as plebeian trash they don't want to sully their shelves with. If you don't really read, but want to buy a bunch of polished, leatherbound books to make your mahogany home library or office look nice, then you can come here and drop a bundle of cash to get your pretension on. I am paraphrasing and adding a bit of a sarcastic twist, but there was a sign that said this right there on the first floor. Do not come here looking for any books released after the turn of the millenium - they have precious few. Do not come here looking for popular books released in the 20th century - they don't always have that, either. As an example: "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", "The Joy of Cooking", and the "Betty Crocker Cookbook" are three of the most popular cookbooks from the 20th century. You might expect a place like this to have a hardback edition of at least one of these, but they don't - they only have the detritus left over once the good cookbooks have already been purchased. This place needs to turn over its inventory and form a system of weeding out the less desirable books (e.g., Loni Anderson's autobiography) while maintaining a minimal stock of good books that people would actually want and read today. As it stands, I'd prefer to go to 2nd and Charles - they routinely dump the losers in the freebie bins outside and keep the good stuff stocked rather than letting the losers molder on the shelves for a few decades. It might smell nice and look nice and be a great place to sit and read, but it's not somewhere I'd want to browse and buy. read more

Baldwin's is a book lover's dream right in West Chester, PA! Behold the family-owned 5-story barn in the historical Brandywine Valley. Imagine a rustic, charming place in the country where you can find any book your heart desires. That's Baldwin's! My first trip there, I spent about 2 hours looking at everything, and I didn't even see it all. I spent time in almost all of the sections, even ones I wasn't interested in. All I knew was that I wanted to see as much as possible. When you arrive at the barn, you can pick up a map so you can know exactly where you want to go. Or if you are a bookworm like me, you can choose to explore the barn on your own. As you arrive on each floor, you'll find a helpful list of the genres that you can find on each. The sections are labeled as well so there's no confusion. On each floor, you'll also find chairs that you can sit and relax or read in. And if you're an animal lover, you can also visit with Bingo, the "mascot" of Baldwin's. You're most likely to find him on the second floor, and he is very friendly! Overall, the book barn is very homey and welcoming. You're definitely going to come away with something! Be ready to spend a couple hours. I was able to find some books that I had as a child which made me feel very nostalgic. I also purchased an edition of one of my favorite books that I'd never seen before. It's absolutely one of my favorite places to explore! read more

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It was such an amazing experience wandering for hours through 4 floors worth of books! They have TONS of books on every topic, although a lot of them are older and on the pricey side for used books. I mainly enjoyed the experience of seeing such a wonderful old structure filled with my favorite thing (boooooks!!) If you are in the area you should definitely stop by. Bundle up if it's cold outside, they do not have modern heating/cooling amenities. read more

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Ah, Baldwin's Book Barn. My haven, my home. 5 stories of books (har har). Once you enter a kindly old gentleman is usually there to greet you as are at least one of the several cats that roam the barn. If it's your first time take one of their maps- you will get a little lost (not that that is a bad thing). The various rooms are stuffed to the gills with books, some new, most old, all infused with that slightly acrid, magical musty smell. The floorboards are cranky with age and through the chinks in the wall you can feel a draft. It's fabulous. You can spend hours browsing, or picking a little nook and settling with a book into a chair. However, for all the books they have, if you are going with a title in mind, you might come away slightly disappointed that you didn't find it. I recently went looking for Faulker & Nabokov, and found NO titles by Faulker save an abridged reader (seriously, that was it) and even less from Nabokov (zip. zilch.) I had to high-tail it to B&N. But to browse, loaf around, and discover gems, it's the BEST. read more

Baldwin Book Barn - The Book Barn - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

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This place is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, or even most of a day! Room after room of interesting books that need to be browsed to be comprehended. The one downside is that you should not bring younger children here. They may well choose a $30 book. read more

We spent Thanksgiving visiting my sister, and this was on the list of places to check out. We rolled up right at opening time, and were welcomed and offered maps of the store. As others mentioned, there are bookstore cats tootling around in the stacks, so watch your step. Also if you are tall, watch your head as there are low beams in some of the rooms! It gets chillier and smokier as you move up through the building (in the winter at least), and the fiction room (easy to miss) was soooooooooo cold. We will return again when the weather is that perfect mix between not too cold and not too hot. read more

Baldwin Book Barn - So so chilly. - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania

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Five Floors Stacked With Books Baldwin's Offers the best finds Between Two Covers #Haiku #NOLA_Haiku read more

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The 'hype'? All true, and then some. Beautiful place, very kind and helpful older man running the register, you feel welcome immediately. I found things I didn't know I needed, and now I have some cherished and very readable souvenirs to remind me of my vacation here in PA. If you get a chance to make a visit--no, a *pilgrimage*- here, do so and be glad you did. read more

Such a wonderful book store. We spent hours just looking around. I see myself going back there as soon as possible. I bought several books, both beautiful and interesting. Perfect for Instagram shots as well. read more

This hidden gem, nestled on the outskirts of West Chester, is an antique book lovers' paradise. If it hadn't been so hot the day that I visited, I could've spent hours getting lost in this place. There are five floors (with maps scattered about for those less inclined to get lost!), and an endless array of books for any and every subject. This place has such a cool vibe given that it was originally built in the early 1800s. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that the books are a bit pricey. But this is a perfect place to go when you have a whole day to kill and want to spend your time among hundreds of thousands of books. read more

Baldwin Book Barn - Bookstores Near Me - West Chester, Pennsylvania