This was a cool little store located at the Square Mall. We stumbled upon it and were thrilled, as we love finding small local book shops wherever we are. The shop is clean and well-organized. It isn't teeming with books, but definitely helped scratch our itch. I particularly enjoyed the section featuring books on local topics and local authors. These were fun to look at, and we were sure to pick up a few that didn't disappoint. Service was friendly. The woman working at the register was kind, friendly, and struck up conversation. Prices were a bit higher than we are used to, but this was to be expected given the touristy location. Overall, would return based on the friendly service and great local titles. read more

First off, been here before, before i started writing reviews, and finally got around to writing since i've written reviews. Anyways, this is located on the 2nd floor of a building in washington square mall. Most cutest little bookstore that has lots of steven king, as i brought The Shining Book last year, and both local authors and other books. i think last year or the year prior there was even a book on wildwood through the years which my mom looked at. always end up buying some type of book here each time i stop. Went here on Sunday August 4th 2024 with my parents as part of our cape may/wildwood vacation. Of Course, while we were at Washington Square Mall. looked around, first checked the young adult section for any percy jackson books (either the trials of apollo, or the some other rick rordan book i didn't have. Didn't have much, but they did have some harry Potter books and puzzles too. then looked over towards the front and found Steven King, decided to buy Christine. So far it's a good book! Cashier was very nice, and was actually reading herself. Which is good to see! It was about $20.00 for a book, but reasonable, i feel. She also said that they stock books on monday, and they sell fast, so that's why the store was almost empty. Cashier was also very pleasant. overall enjoying still reading christine! Hope to be back next year. read more

Typically, a town or area doesn't get the bookstore it truly wants, but it does get the one it deserves. In this case, that description is quite apt. Cape May can be a very poorly-informed Fox News MAGAtt town, full of husky Americans, shuffling from one fried food destination to the next between stints at imitating beached whales at many of the beautiful beaches. So, is this a literate town? Clearly not based on the available clientele. But, the owner does his best, stocking a small collection of decent books in the hopes that he can make a small dent in the local ignorance. I wish him good luck, though I would guess most of his customers come for the puzzles (the fewer pieces, the better). I don't know how long his customers will live given the low vaccination rates or fear of science in the area, but if you are desperate for an escape into a good book to cleanse your eye sockets from the visual sight of your fellow citizens, this is the best place to get one. Heck, it's the only place to get a book anywhere nearby! read more

Big selection? Not really. Easy to navigate? Sure. Diverse selection? Kinda of. Not the best bookstore I've been to, but I'm sure it serves Cape May quite well. I always love to support local bookshops, because it's hard out here in these literary streets. So I did purchase a fascinating book about women's history. Regardless of the layout and selection, it's always nice to visit a local bookstore. read more

Charming little local bookstore (upstairs at the top of escalator in the brown brick building on Washington street mall). Worth a peek.

Great selection of books and nice folks working there as he knows his authors and books too : )

As a librarian, I like to visit local bookstores and find local interest books. Honestly, I've never been to one that had so few books. All Paperback or cheap trade Paperback. I honestly think I have more books in my home collection. Store was very clean and sparse. Meh. read more

Go upstairs to visit this small bookstore. I get a gem each visit with recommendations and warm conversation from the woman at the counter.

love that this bookstore is here! appreciate its presence! impressive selection for a smaller sized bookstore!

This is a small bookstore in the Washington Street Mall area. It has a nice little selection of paperback and hardback books. It is bright and, although small, not cramped. The cashier can be a little curt but nothing so bad. Check it out! read more

This place is on the second floor inside a building labeled the City Center Mall. Hard to find at first but I'm glad Cape May has an independent bookseller as I needed some reads for the beach. Is it a big selection? No, but if you need a paperback Nicholas Sparks novel or are looking for a NYT bestseller this place is for you. read more

I called to ask about a book availability. I got a call back 5 minutes later from Tony who was very nice and provided all the information I was looking for. Thank you!! read more

I'm so happy that a bookstore still exists after Stewart's moved in! I came to the shop crossing my fingers that they had bestsellers and I was in luck: they had a great selection along with staff recommendations and after looking up almost everything on Goodreads I narrowed down my selection to 2 books and had the guy at the register recommend one of them. So happy they're still here- if you're in need of a book this far south, you won't be disappointed. read more

Poor example of a business. It's Columbus day people are out shopping, we go to buy two books that we saw the day prior and this guy clearly doesn't want the business. Hours are 10-5, he wants to close at 3. Extremely rude to older lady in front of us, then continues to be rude when my wife asks simply why are you closing early, and said he wasn't being very nice. He stated he didn't care and that he made all his money for the day. We told him he was rude, put the books down and left. Go to another book store where customer service is better. read more

Here is an example of where a local business knows its customer base has few alternative options, so holds them hostage. Prices are full retail... which I could accept if the customer service was not so relentlessly horrible. I love books at the beach (who doesn't), so now I will just have make sure I double down at my own home's bookstore before vacation. Annoying, sure, but there is no way this Cap May book store will every see a penny from me again. I'd rather spend my dollars with the hundreds of other friendly, customer-oriented stores in Cape May. read more

My aunt bought a defective travel coffee mug at this store ( leaked everywhere ) and when she went to return it , the apparent owner was working and told her she could only get store credit. While this is not the end of the world, I am writing this because he was extremely rude, arrogant, and patronizing. I have only written 3 reviews on Yelp but he was so nasty, that I had to let others know. Please do not support this guy unless he gets an attitude adjustment. read more

Stumbled across this bookstore and was so excited then subsequently disappointed. The selection was ok. All books priced retail. The only section that I felt was positive was the local section - pretty neat selection. Otherwise, it just seemed to be a limited choice of bestsellers. If you are on vacation and need a book it will do, but I would not go here regularly if I had any other option... read more

This bookstore is always a must for me when I visit the shore! It is so small but they still have such variety while still making the store organized and comfortable to browse in. The owners are very kind and have struck up conversations with me about a certain author or title I am picking up... I love that! Since it is small I don't think you should come here with your heart absolutely set on a title, this store is more to just discover great books and browse around. Some of my favorite books were found just by browsing around here. Perfect blend of mainstream and obscure books. Support independent bookstores!! read more

This is an excellent bookstore, with a large and interesting selection. The owners actually like books and it shows. Also, the customer service is excellent. Every time I'm in Cape May I stop in and stock up. read more

I stopped in to do some Christmas shopping a couple of weeks ago. I hadn't been in since before they expanded. I was really excited to see the great young reader section. I will definitely be in again soon with my son to let him pick out some more books. It is so nice to have a real bookstore in town. Plus, the owner was so friendly and helpful. read more

I love to support independent bookstores so when I knew I was going to Cape May I was looking forward to visiting Atlantic Books, which I found last year. It was in a building that used to be a bank. This year I walked back and forth and never saw Atlantic Books. Then I saw the Stewart Root Beer restaurant. I thought that was where the bookstore was and upon asking, and then looking in the building to see the bank vault, I found out it was indeed where Atlantic Books was. The chain went out of business in 2011. Luckily, one of the owners opened Cape Atlantic Book Company in the Washington Street Mall. So I went over, picked up a book on Cape May history and was very pleased with my experience. The owner said that business was doing very well in the new location, which is good to hear. So if you are planning to go to Cape May and need a book to read on the beach, head over to Cape Atlantic Book Company and enjoy. read more

I forgot my book back at home and happen to discover this bookstore right in the middle of Cape May on the Washington Street Mall. I ended up with a best seller, some works from a local author, and a great book on the history of Cape May. Thanks Pat and Tony for keeping books alive in Americas original beach resort now I have something to read on the beach! read more

So happy you are opening a new bookstore. Cape May needs one since Atlantic closed. Good Job. Great space in Washington Street Mall.