I've been going to the Boulder Bookstore for years. But is hasn't been in this location all that time. It's been here myabe 25 years. So the "old wooden stairs" are only 25 years old. Upstairs was originally a ballroom, then a ballet school. It's a glorious space. The Boulder Bookstore has it all ... except an elevator. For handicapped access, the store is a total bust. The staff tells me how dreadfully expensive it would be to put in an elevator. But a clever architect could do it. And it would boost the business immeasurably. So until the Boulder Bookstore makes its goodies available to ALL persons, it will never get a higher rating from me. read more

I will now and forever only go here. No more big chain bookstores for me! i recently had a child and lovenly was given 5 goodnight moon books. FIVE! well of course i don't need that many, nor did I use them. I went to Borders to return them. I figured they sell this book. It's probably the #1 baby book seller. Since it's brand new, I figured no problem. PROBLEM! They do not even exchange books without the receipt. Of course I didn't have any of the receipts, and honestly I don't know where they all came from, but they sell the shizz out of the book! No way! Nor do Barnes and Noble come to find out. So I went down here, figuring if they won't exchange them, well at least i could sell them here. They were so nice and exchanged them no problem. "hey" they said "we sell the shizz out of this book. No problem." Then I was able to exchange for some other baby books. Which they have a GREAT selection of. Which really is a lifesaver to the mommy and daddy who have to read these-over and over and over and over....They just made a loyal customer out of me! read more

aw man, this place is awesome! my buddy i went in just for fun and found some great books...humorous ones. we were lost in this place for about two hours. it's an adventure here. read more

Dreamy bookstore that you can get lost in for hours. This was an especially nice find on a cold day. They do a great job of selecting diverse books, and it's one of those cozy stores you can browse in for hours. I'm going to need a bigger book bag. read more

This is one of my favorite bookstores. It's cute and cozy, nonetheless much more personable than your average Barnes&Noble. This is the kind of place I could find myself comfortably spending hours browsing. Great vibes all around. read more

I love the boulder bookstore! They have the best recommendations. Support local independent bookstores!!

I can never manage to leave this place empty handed--they are experts in book recommendations and the coveted technique of hand selling.

Great bookstore. The kind that you want to stay inside and read and browse for hours. Great children's section with jellybean machine and little rocking chairs. Great and organized selection and so much more character than a barnes and noble. The staff is friendly and authentic and they even offer to help pay for parking which is always a chore. Shop there and read there and support this place.;) read more

A really pleasurable bookstore. It has a great selection, and an enjoyable, rather eccentric layout. Mighty fine for wandering and browsing.

Staff were extremely rude. My mother was up visiting and we went to the store. They were moving bookshelves around in the ballroom, and as my mom was trying to get to a shelf that they had left partially blocked by a bookcase, a staff member rudely informed her that she wasn't supposed to move the bookshelf, despite the fact that she was only trying to get around their mess. Then when she was struggling to get up due to her permanently injured knee, two staff members started moving the shelf and my mother nearly fell. She and I protested but were completely blown off. Do not expect quality customer care from this seemingly "nice" bookstore. read more

The reason I am giving this bookstore three stars has nothing to do with the building - the building is wonderful. It has nothing to do with the staff - the staff is polite, helpful and wonderful as well. It has nothing to do with the selection - the selection is suburb (although due to an antiquated computer system occasionally they do not have all the books they think they have, or maybe that's due to Boulder shoplifters. I don't know.) It's because I feel sorry for the under payed staff - of which I have never belonged but I know personally they do not get paid for their services. Maybe this is due to the current economical market being very difficult for books, I do not know. I only know I would shop here more if I knew the staff was better taken care of. read more

Great ambiance, great location. City parking garage right behind the store. Good selection and caters to a more intellectual reader. You won't find many mass market books here. Kids section is super fun and they host talks at the store. A wonderful destination. read more

What's not to love about a local bookstore?! They have staff picks as well as local top sellers. The kids section is also a hit in our house. read more

love this bookstore, the everything place - great owner, intriguing history - one stop shop when you want to go book shopping.

this is one of the best independent bookstores left in this country. it always has the book i am looking for, plus 5 or 10 more. i love the atmosphere and the other customers. i also enjoy sitting in the cafe, eating a brownie, and deciding which of my new books to read first! it is really just the best. and the children's section is a JOY. i could leave my daughters there all day. buy your books here! read more

I am only giving this book store one star because I cannot give it no stars. I came to Colorado on vacation and many of the locals said Boulder was this great place to go, but I beg to differ. I walked into the store because it was not a chain book store and I like to support the cause (small businesses that are running against corporations). As soon as I walked in the door the anti theft alarm went on. I don't know what it is called but it is one of those devices that beeps when someone is stealing something. I found it quite odd that it would go on as I was walking in. An employee named "Digs" asked me if I had a book and I obviously didn't because I just came through the door; I was so confused when he told me to tell him when I leave the store. I took this offensive because he was implying that I was stealing. I have never been accused of stealing in my life; I am that person that will go back to the store (even if I am already home) and tell them that I was undercharged. I left and came back to see if it would happen again and sure enough it did. This time they took my purse and escorted me to the door. As you can imagine, I was horrified and I the only thing I can remember were the people chattering in the store saying that I stole some books. I absolutely would not recommend this store. I have never been so humiliated in my life. I felt as if I was scum and the staff looked at me with disgust. I wonder if this was discrimination; I am Mexican, Filipino, and Native American and everyone around me did not seem diverse. If this was discrimination I am shocked; I guess I have been sheltered from it because I live in California and there are so many differnent cultures and races. read more