1. Happenstance Books and Curiosities

0

Boulder, CO

Cancel

Open app

Search

Happenstance Books and Curiosities

4.0 (2 reviews)
ModerateBookstores

Happenstance Books and Curiosities Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Happenstance Books and Curiosities

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

19 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

19 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Verify this business for free

People searched for Bookstores 521 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Beat Book Shop - Just one of the many bookshelves

Beat Book Shop

2.6(63 reviews)
0.5 mi
•$

This is more of a local tip how to approach this subterrane, book-nook to best take advantage of…read moreits unique attributes/offerings vs. a review of a visit experience. First, the long-time proprietor (Tom) is an absolute/hard-earned expert in everything in the store - its items, authors, history, even curious, connected idiosyncronies of stories galore, many personal connections. That includes books, old magazines, records/CD and their place in history. Sure, much might be opinion, but all quite well-informed. The recommendation here is not to wander aimlessly to quick overwhelming but isolate a certain subject matter or media type of interest and ask for recommendations to find your gem(s) and feel good about the hunt as you leave with them. Second, this is a very small, private-ownership establishment and not a large, corp chain like B&N, It is run a certain way (it appears disorganized but is really not), has some respecting rules (don't bring in drinks or be a clueless dufus and take a photo of a book you like and shop it cheaper elsewhere) and relies on genuine, curious, vintage-loving customers to support this old-fashioned but charming type of store. It is really for serious vintage-hunters, not so much (or room for) random museum lookers. Sooo, not the place to buy the latest releases for less. Just saying so you know the (sub-)terrain here. Last, even if you become even a one-time customer, the purchase and interaction will be sincerely and deeply appreciated by one of the most-engaging store owners you will ever meet and exchange stories with for way longer than you would think Tom can keep the stories and wisdom quippets coming.

One of the lowest reviews of my Yelp career. They get two stars for the nice selection and cozy…read moreatmosphere. I personally thought the records were all easy listening but the atmosphere was cozy, if not cluttered. Even though I enjoy these shops and tried to talk to the long haired older man running it, he was extremely stand offish. The one item I tried to talk about, he said was very expensive. No effort to sell the item or even talk further about it. Leaving the store later, I said thank you but he couldn't be bothered to look up. I won't be coming back purely based on his attitude. I wish the space the best but it was extremely cluttered and selection seemed mild at best.

Photos
Beat Book Shop - Vintage bikes, more books

Vintage bikes, more books

Beat Book Shop - Books, art, magazines, records, cassettes.

Books, art, magazines, records, cassettes.

Beat Book Shop

See all

Happenstance Books and Curiosities - bookstores - Updated November 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...