Jack is the best. He has a bookstore that is a gorgeous throwback to the old days where stacks of books surround you. Yet he can locate just about any book from among those stacks, like a magician. And he's friendly, always ready to engage in conversation. He's very knowledgeable about music, books (he reads a lot) and especially about the town he lives in, Nyack. read more

As a librarian I was shocked when I walked into this bookstore. Books just stacked everywhere! It felt so chaotic but at we walked in we started spotting great titles. The owner is incredibly helpful and can find you anything! Very unique place. read more

If you want a browsing experience that feels like going on a treasure hunt, this place is for you. Great selection, the place was packed with gems, and the used books are very reasonably priced. The owner is a delight, very kind and helpful. read more

This is an amazing place. The books are stacked high, willy-nilly, it's kind of insane, and although you probably won't find what you were looking for, you'll walk out of there with some other precious prize. read more

I have been shopping used bookstores for over 50 years. I have never come across a better one. The substance of the curator's choices was astounding. I walked in with 1/2 hour before closing, and every book I touched, I wanted to buy. I'm sure he was happy, but I was happier yet. I cannot recommend it enough for those who want worthwhile, well priced books. read more

Ordered a book on the 28th feb.... two emails and still nothing. No replies no contact. Can't get a refund.

Pickwick's has been, and still is an essential part of the Nyack Community. John Dunnigan, the owner, is a trove of information about people, places, books and authors, and everything local. Do not enter this store if you are in a rush! This is a place to take your time in. Notes are handwritten on tiny scraps of paper and there are so many, many books (yes, too many). However, if there is something you need more quickly, and need to order it, talk to Alexandra who is a most efficient clerk. Ask for her hours because you want her to be there when that book comes in! John is gregarious and laid back, Alexandra is friendly with a no-nonsense attitude. John may be the owner and schmoozer (Sometimes I just go in there to chat and get some human contact, it always makes me feel better! ) but Alexandra is the fine person who keeps the store running (And she's great to talk to!). read more

Terrible customer service. Ordered and paid for a book. Waited over two weeks before contacting. Called twice, spoke to a live human, left my order # and contact info. Nothing. Sent an email twice, no response. I don't write bad reviews but I'm frustrated and feel like I've been scammed. read more

PROS: I think this place has more books than the Jefferson Library. You first walk in and no question in anyone's mind that he has the type of book you're looking for. He's been there forever and is probably the book store everyone hits up in that area. CONS: This place is probably the most overwhelming store in the entire town. I walk in and I don't know where to begin. It's hard to tell which genre each section is except for the childrens section and i feel like the mountain of books I'm walking past will fall on me any minute. The guy is also very grumpy and doesn't seem to ever be happy. Nothing is priced which means I always have to go up and ask him for the price too. OVERALL: I typically stay away from this book store because it's very cluttered, but if thats your thing and you like to ig through books for hours, than be my guest and take a look. read more

Charges full list price for used books. Lame. Won't be back again. I love to support local businesses but not when they act like this.

My husband and j would come here when we were dating, 5 years ago and we've made a trip to come back every year to take the same photo. We love the charm and smell that this book shop has. There's nothing like walking in and looking for a book. read more

Pickwick is a secret gem of Nyack, NY. It's tucked away on south broadway and some people might walk right by it. If you do - I feel sorry for you. It's easy for a book worm to get lost in this store for hours. It's your typical book store, stacks of books in every direction just waiting for hungry and wrestles fingers to snatch them up! I have found some great books here and have had some wonderful memories of discovery! Whenever I am giving an out of town guest a tour of nyack I always stop in to this book store and show them the little slice of heaven. I'm giving pickwick 4 stars only because unfortunately the owner is not that friendly. He isn't a fan at all of people snapping photos while in his shop (even though this place is an instagrammers gold nugget). Definitely check this place out! read more

Pickwick Book Shop - Bookstores Near Me - Nyack, New York

Twisted (the walls have whacky angles, and yes there are stacks to the ceiling) little book store. An awesome location. Been here since I could walk. Perfect little gem: don't complain about messy rooms - if you do, you were never book person. Rebel says: 4.5 read more

I have been a resident of Rockland County for over 50 years and I have gone into Pickwick book shop for many years. It was always pretty loaded with books but the past couple of times when I've gone in there I spent very little time browsing because it is almost impossible to find anything specific among the piles of books. Today I went in and I asked the clerk for True Crime books. Knowing where they were, I pointed in the direction and he decided to walk me over there. They were still in a bookcase near the back. He told me I could not walk into the aisle to stand in front of the bookcase but I could reach around to the bookcase. I took one look at the disaster in front of me, snapped this photo and I left. As I was leaving I noticed other sections of the store were also closed to customers (I would estimate that 30% of the store is off limits to people who want to buy books). I just walked out, right past the clerk who basically told me they did not want customers in their bookstore. There's no way I'm ever going to waste another visit to this bookstore. read more

Pickwick Book Shop - The most disorganized mess that is disguised as a store. - Bookstores Near Me - Nyack, New York

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This store considers used books in good shape to be new (no matter the publication date) and sells them at face value. Really disappointed and regret my experience. They do have a decent selection though, and the staff is friendly enough with recommendations and returns. There seem to be good sales on certain nonfiction (psychology, cookbooks). On the whole I'd recommend Pickwick only to those with the money to time travel, unfortunately. read more

how I love the harry potter characterization. if you're a lover of books, your eyes will widen as you walk in and literature begins from floor and ends at ceiling, all mysteriously staying stacked chaotically atop another. I'm never browsing for books in barnes and noble again. as for the owner, he greeted me silently and when I went to his counter, he said, 'ah, I see great classics'. he lowered the prices on the books out of nowhere and I smiled and thanked him and he was absolutely shocked he received a thanks. he thanked me back twice and offered me a great day. not rude, he's just educated and 'by the book'. ^_^* read more

Pickwick Book Shop - my new haven. - Bookstores Near Me - Nyack, New York

This bookstore is a mess. There is a lack of organization. There is very little space to walk. This is all cause of the stacks of books everywhere. I am shocked this is not considered a fire hazard. There is limited ventilation and the place smells old old books so much so that it overpowers the air and makes it difficult to breathe. Grabbing a book from an unorganized shelf to even look at to see if you're interested in buying it is risky. My bf and I grabbed one, and a stack of books came down as a barrage against our heads. We did our best to protect our heads but the employee working there was more concerned about the books and not our heads. We were shocked she can manage to walk through the store since it is so cramped! One person can block an entire isle! This isn't caring for the Customer, that was dangerous! This isn't a clean orderly pleasant customer experience. If we were older this would be much much more of a hazard. read more

Went to Nyack, NY to shop at the Pickwick Shop, but after finding some books near the front of the store, that were apparently new and not-yet-priced, I asked the owner if he could price them. He said he would. I waited about 10 minutes while he continued to rummage through other books, asked him again, and he said he would get to it (which day he was thinking of, we have yet to find out). I told him I would leave and come back. I came back 30 minutes later, he still hadn't done anything with the books, although he was at least now behind the register vestibule with another customer. I waited another 15 minutes while he fumbled with my books, but he had only completed pricing of 2 out of the 4 books by that time. (No wonder the place is a mess.) I realized that the ornery, disgruntled store owner really didn't want to sell me the books, and I would still be there for an unspecified period of time. After more than an hour had passed since my first pricing request, I told him to keep the books, I was leaving. His incompetence is reflected in the disorganized mess of the bookstore. While stores such as this can be a goldmine for booklovers, particularly for rare or difficult-to-find books, this place is not, because even if you have the patience, all of the books are just strewn across the floor, to the extent that you literally have to fumble through each book (thousands) on the floor, just to locate the title. Coupled with the nasty, uncooperative nature of the angry owner, hunting for books here is frustrating and very likely a waste of your time. read more

A wonder to see a little shop filled with so many old books. Nearly right out of a Harry Potter novel. Only caveat: some of these books look like they're right out of a garage sale, but definately not garage sale prices. Buyer beware. read more

Since we are serious book collectors who regularly drop large amounts of money in independent bookstores whenever we find them, our first trip here had us planning to whip out the credit card. Literally 30 seconds later? NOPE. I had barely walked in the door before the owner started lecturing me on the size of my (actually quite small) stroller in which my 3 month old was quietly sleeping. He informed me that strollers were too wide now and he had no intention of changing his shop just to accommodate them. I hadn't said a word of compliant (nor would I, since a stuffed-to-the-gills bookstore is pretty much my favorite sort of place), so the nasty attack before I'd even opened my mouth to say hello was a bit much. I don't need anyone to schmooze me, but I'd prefer not being harangued as soon as I walk into a store. It's a wonder he's still in business, since *Amazon* is never rude to customers! Definitely a store to avoid. read more

I am so happy to have a independent bookstore in Nyack. Sure it's crowded and unorganized but I never go in with the intent to find a specific book, but that's not what independent bookstores are for. This is a shop to wander in and look at different titles till you find the right one. I think the owner is very sweet, and is always welcoming of me and my children. I have spent years working in independent bookstores and I'm sorry to say they are a disappearing breed. Pickwick offers something that you won't find on amazon or Barnes and Nobel, it's a place for discovering a book you didn't know you wanted. If you want 40% off a best seller just go to Costco. If you want to hold a book in your hand and find the right one this is the right place! read more

walking into pickwicks, i was taken aback by the amount of books everywhere in sight. from floor to ceiling, on shelves, off shelves, in piles, on counters, etc. it is definitely a bit chaotic and disorganized. it can be difficult to move around and even more difficult to unearth a book you would like to open and check out because it has 75+ books on top of it. though it is cluttered, there is a certain charm that comes along with browsing the shops large inventory. there were all sorts of rarities and antique books tucked into the shelves and stacks. some may say that it is a bit pricey but it sure beats full price at a barnes & noble and such. i'd say the best way to approach a trip here is to go with an open mind and some time to spare for searching. i reccomend a visit to this friendly little bookstore. read more

Pickwick Book Shop - Bookstores Near Me - Nyack, New York

Books are stacked to look really cute, but you can't see them, reach them, etc. Very unorganized and obnoxious set up fit for a quirky movie, but not a real store. Owner and his employee bickered while I was checking out and the change provided was sweat-soaked, warm pocket money (disgusting) out of the owners pants, not the register. Prices weren't horrible, but better deals can be found on Amazon or other book shops. I love old school, independent book shops, but I just can't recommend this one. read more

Really cool place, lots of books, reasonable price, but as someone else said, there are reaaaally tall stacks of books everywhere so you can't really see titles or access the books if you want to buy it. Makes it a bit hard to shop! My boyfriend bought a few things he loved. I would def go back. Really cool environment read more

I pass by this place a lot since I work in Nyack. Finally went in for the first time with friends. It was a great experience. The older gentleman managing the place was friendly and engaging. I love atmospheres like this, being surrounded by books and quiet. The sections aren't entirely organized (which is a bit bothersome, but didn't put me off to the store's charm) and I moved around with extreme caution. The only time I've ever felt like the cliché "bull in a china shop." That's why I'm giving four stars, because of the delicacy and attention/alertness required to shop there. Not a place really to aimlessly meander, but I did find some interesting books and also managed to leave with some Agatha Christie novels after stumbling upon them. The prices were also decent. Four books for $20, that's something I can get on board with. I would definitely return again! read more

Pickwick Book Shop - The aforementioned purchases - Bookstores Near Me - Nyack, New York

My wife and I love books and have spent many wonderful hours slowly perusing used book stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Vermont. This place isn't worth your time. The stock is a disorganized mess, but worse, seems to overindex pretty common overstock and used paperbacks from the past few decades. Many reviews note that the pricing is too high. I can't speak to that, because I chose to leave shortly after the proprietor sniped at my wife for attempting to bring our infant in a relatively compact stroller into the store. Seriously, F this guy. read more

As a Nyack resident,I try to patronize and support local businesses, but Pickwick simply doesn't deserve my money. The owner is rude and intolerant of kids and adults. The charm of the locally owned store wears thin with high prices, weak selection, a hugely disorganized store and a hostile business owner. read more

You're not allowed to look like a cheap used bookstore, with books strewn everywhere, and then charge ten times what you can find the book for on Amazon. What a horrible disappointment! read more

the owner is a con man! I regret my purchase there. he is unhelpful and cold. not only did he lie to me about the initial price of he book, but he wouldn't give a receipt (he just scribbles numbers on his personal notepad for himself..) he told me that both of my books would be roughly $3.50 each, I only had two, and he charged me ten! saying "oh just give me the ten!" assuming he would give me $3 later, he didn't! I couldn't say anything because both were books I knew I couldn't find anywhere else, so that's why I gave the two stars. I would never walk into the dusty madhouse that is the pickPOCKET book store!!! read more

It's not a bad place, but it's not great either. The place is literally overflowing with books. All the shelves are filled and there are stacks of books everywhere, in addition to the stuff they leave outside. Most the books are pretty old though, and the guy who works there is a pretty humorless old man who can be condescending at times, especially if you look like a "kid." Judging from quick glances, the kids section looks like it might be worthwhile to go through. In general, a cute little book place that's a good way to kill time on a boring summer day, but not much else. read more

It's like visiting a used bookstore museum. Stacks and stacks, making walls of stacks. Oddly piled sideways. Nice selection of classic children's books. read more

The proprietor of Pickwick Books is the most interesting guy in Nyack. Really! Stop in and ask him anything...about a book, an author, local politics, who lived where and when in Nyack in the last 50 years...and he is the nicest guy on earth. Run, don't walk, to Pickwick Books in Nyack...especially over the Valentine's Day weekend. read more

I love this indie bookstore! I've been a customer for ove 30years. Great selection and Peter knows everything you may wish to know and where to find it. It's very low key. There are stacks of books everywhere but there is order in the creative stacks. Love it. read more

Chock full of books. There are books behind the books, and lovely old paperbacks with funny covers from the 60s. This is my kind of place. I've been on a Colette quest and this place was the only place to have any. They had three! They even have new books if that's your bag. I just love it. read more

I've never had any problems here. The only down side that I've encountered is that it's a relatively small store crammed full of books, so you really have to watch your step navigating your way through here (that's not just idle talk-- the person I was with last time took a spill in here; no serious damage, but you should use some caution). It's not cheap, but not unreasonably high in comparison to other places I've been. And I'm not disputing some of the reviewers below, but I've never encountered any attitude or negativity-- I've always found the people working here to be pleasant enough. I try to stop by when I'm in the area and I usually buy something (which is easy, given the large quantity of books). Yeah, Amazon is cheaper, and (don't want to be a hypocrite) I do buy a substantial amount of stuff there, but when I'm in an area that has an independent bookstore (in addition to the Barnes & Noble chain stores in Paramus, NJ, and Poughkeepsie, NY, because I find them to be different than the usual chain-store experience), I try to support them. And I do. I like Pickwick Book Shop. read more

Pickwick bookstore is well named. It is right our of a Dicken's novel. The owner is a wealth of information in an age where the person selling you something at a chain store knows possibly nothing about your interests. (warning - he does not suffer fools gladly) It is easy to mistake the creativity and overflowing shelves for something less than the idiosyncrasy and genius of Mr. Dunnigan. This is the last bookstore in a grand tradition. Get there while you can. There are treasures three deep. - a long time patron read more

I love Pickwick! I've been going there since I was a kid. I can spend hours in there just looking at the gems. Jack is one of the nicest people in Nyack. read more

I love browsing bookstores, and Strand is far far away (and their prices went up as well). I bought several quirky hilarious greetings cards, and two paper backs. In retrospect, I may have enjoyed the experience better than the titled I had chosen. Piecewise, it's comparable to Barnes & Noble. read more

Whenever we are in Nyack, NY, we NEVER miss going to the Pickwick Bookstore. It is just one place you can't pass up when you are in town!

Pickwick has been my favorite bookstore since I was a child. Considering I've lived in NYC, London, Wash, DC, Boulder, CO and Santiago, Chile, that is rather a large statement. John and his colleagues have run it like one of the magical old haunts of the greatest literati or simply devoted book lovers since... well, at least the 70s, as far as I know. I stopped in recently on a personal pilgrimage back to dear Nyack, and not only did John know me immediately, he recommended a superb book right away! Yes, it's dusty and you have to dig around... but it's what makes independent bookstores so precious and authentic. Let's hope it not only lasts but thrives many more decades. Francesca C. Howell read more