This isn't very bookstoreish, but Nicola's ALWAYS smells like fresh bagels! Barry's is right next door, so everyone's tummy is kept on the offensive. You know how in the film "Clueless" when Cher plots to woo a boy, so she bakes bread because she heard the scent drives boys mad with desire? Maybe libraries could start baking cookies to get more people to visit? Books and baked goods, this can only be a good thing. That aside, I really dig their extensive magazine selection. They have a nice collection of books in all genre's, hard and paperback. There are cool gifts for all the bookish peeps in your life. They also have special readings, for kids and for adults (with guest authors). Makes for a very nice community spot (with extra homey feeling due to pervasive bagel scent). I don't come around much anymore but when I do, I try to buy something. Nicola's is the last bastion of independent booksellers in the area. They get major kudos for continuing to persevere in the wake of the web (although being in Ann Arbor helps more than a little). read more

Nicola's doesn't look like much from the outside- it's in the Westgate Shopping Center and looks like the average strip mall store. But inside, there's an effort to make it feel homey. I went there with a friend and curled up with a book in an armchair while she browsed the magazines. The atmosphere is relaxed and encourages you to browse. While it's independently owned, their selection rivals the big national chain stores. They also have a nice selection of stationary and impulse purchase knick-knacks, and it's a good place to pick up small gifts or stock-stuffers for the book lovers on your gift list. read more

Nicola's is a place I used to browse around in after I grabbed breakfast in Barry Bagels next door. I ended up spending more money than I thought I would on those mornings. It's really a charming bookstore. I was so used to the chain stores, and their identical end-caps promoting the same books over and over. I liked Nicola's because I would be exposed to non-mainstream books, even if that means funny kids books (Captain Underpants!) that I'd never encountered at the bigger chains. The place really does have a flavor of its own. I'd suggest going in to just browse, rather than with something in mind (though I'm sure they wouldn't mind you popping in for 30 seconds to buy a very specific volume) because if you go in there without something in mind, you'll definitely leave with something in hand. I always did! Then again, I'm a bookworm, and not everyone reads like I do. Still, it's worth checking out. read more

Returned a calender within the 30 day's stated on the receipt (today to be exact), WITH a receipt and was told because they were now marked down I was ONLY entitled to 1/2 a refund. I spent over $100 at x-mass trying to "shop local" NEVER again! AMAZON will get ALL of my money. read more

Really my all time favorite local bookstore. The lady who works the children's section is very knowledgeable and picks the right books out all the time. It's right next to Barry's bagels so the whole store smells like bagels (that can't be bad, can it?) read more

Judging from these other reviews, it seems that either I came in on an extreme off day, or that people's expectations of service are a lot more relaxed than mine are. I had lunch at Barry's Bagels one day in early February, and had some extra time to kill so I ran into Nicola's Books on a whim to try and find a couple books for a friend who had just had a baby. No one greeted me or asked me if I needed any help, but that's fine. I'm a pretty self-sufficient shopper, I don't need to be coddled or have my hand held, so I didn't think much of it. I found my first book on my own, more expensive than I was expecting to pay, but hey, I was already here, right? Might as well go ahead and buy it. Then I searched for the second book I wanted to give my friend for a little while before I finally gave up and found someone to help me. The book I wanted was not available in the store, so the salesperson ordered it for me. I was going home in the first week of March, so I asked if the book would be in by then. She reassured me that oh yes! The book would definitely be here before then, not to worry. And then.... that was it. I had not heard from Nicola's Books since then. I kept meaning to drop in or call to check on my order, but as my trip came and went, and finals and projects in my classes began to loom in the near distance, it all became an afterthought. I ended up ordering the book again from another bookstore, which actually delivered the book within the promised time frame with no problem. The best part is that a couple weeks ago, I received the first of three borderline rude voicemails that my book had arrived. In mid-May. Three months after I had placed the order, and two and a half months after I was reassured it would be here. Soooo needless to say, I probably won't be looking to Nicola's Books to help me out with my book purchases in the future. read more

Unfortunately, the staff are simply unfriendly and not very helpful. No one even said hello or goodbye to me. No one asked if I needed any assistance and I was there browsing for about an hour. I get better service at Barnes and Noble and while I try to support the smaller shops and tend to steer away from the chains....I won't be returning here. read more

I used to go to this book store regularly when I worked in Ann Arbor but the last few times I've been there I've noticed a change in the atmosphere. It's more difficult to get someone to help you and the last time I bought a book from them it was out of stock so she ordered it for me and I paid for it. Then, a few days later, she called me and said that she had accidentally charged me for the paper back which wasn't coming out for a few more months so if I wanted the book, I'd have to buy the hard cover for about $30.00 more. I said "no thanks" and just asked for my money back because this book was intended to be a gift for someone and I was running out of time. They refunded the book charge to my card but not the fee they charged for shipping. So, I had to call back and get that removed too. But, instead of removing it, they double charged me for the fee....so I had to call back and get that removed. Mind you, every time I have to call, I'm not helped right away, they have to take my info down (my card number- every time, my name, my address) and then call me back. They were just really annoying and not organized at all. Get it together Nicola's!! On the plus side though...I do like their "Featured on NPR" book section. read more

I've been shopping at Nicola's since I was a mere youngin', back when it was still called "Little Professor". While their selection isn't that of some of the larger chain bookstores, there is a much more personal and intimate vibe at Nicola's, that I do and have always loved. I remember when I would go to Little Professor with my mother on Saturday mornings when I was in grade school, and I would always be so excited to peruse the seemingly neverending selection of children's books. The instant I would walk into the store, my eyes would fall on the sparkly blue dinosaur tracks that led into the very back of the place, where I knew the newest book in the "Goosebumps" series was waiting for me. I then had two choices: I could either beg my mom to take me home, so that I may dive headfirst into my newest literary find, or I could simply climb up into the ever so conveniently placed throne (provided another young geek in training hadn't yet beat me to it), so that I may savor every last page of my paper and ink friend. While I am no longer an avid reader of the "Goosebumps" series, my adoration for this gem of a bookstore has yet to fade. Now that I am a full fledged geek, the reference section tickles my fancy in the best of ways. I also still love reading for pleasure, and the staff at Nicola's has recommended many authors to me, all of whom I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. They also have a decent sized gift section in the front of the store, where you can find everything from hand puppets to body lotions. And of course I just had to introduce my husband to Nicola's, and he is now a fan for life as well. Bottom line, this bookstore's awesome. Anything that I can say that I loved both as a child as well as now deserves a five star rating any day. read more

This is a cool little book store. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Ask a question, and they will be able to help you quickly. I also loved the fireplace in the back where you can just sit, chill and read a book. Even on Black Friday, it wasn't overly crowded, and the customer service was great! read more

I'm kicking myself for not stopping in here earlier. Although it doesn't look like much from the outside (generic strip mall front), the interior is cozy and charming. Nicola's has a large selection for an independent, including a magazine section that rivals Borders'. I found what I was looking for and more. I will definitely be visiting again to purchase books for myself, gifts for friends, and/or attend one of their hosted readings. read more

I shop amazon.com all the time, yet when I go into Nicola's to browse, I always end up buying something. Today it was a 2007 calendar that I couldn't resist. The magazine selection is very good. Another thing to recommend it: the surrounding mall is really a pleasant place, which is unexpected for a garden-variety strip mall. read more

After being a long time customer at this independent bookstore, I actually had a need to make use of their customer service this past month. Boy was I disappoint and treated rudely. I purchased 6 note books from their stationary section and before I bought them I explained that I was going to see if I could use them in a project but that if it didn't work out I would like to return them. The gentleman behind the counter said that would be no problem, as long as there weren't used or damaged in anyway of course. I found that 3 of the notebooks would be perfect for my project (the smaller size ones) but the other 3 larger ones would not work. I returned to the store, with my receipt, with the 3 larger notebooks still in the Nicolas bag in pristine condition, I never even removed them from the bag as the 3 smaller notebooks worked great. However I was told that they were not returnable because they were from the stationary section of the store. I explained to her that I asked specifically before I purchased them if I could return them and was told yes, no problem. The lady helping me was very rude and demanded that I get my receipt so she could show me where it says stationary items are non returnable. I explained that I asked about their retunability before I even had the receipt and was told no problem. She then continued to almost yell at me they were not returnable and it was my fault for buying them. She informed me she was the buyer for that section and Nicola was very strict about returns from that section of the store, as if that mattered to the situation at hand. She then promptly turned her back to me while I was in mid sentence and walked away. I will certainly never patronize the store again. I always make an effort to buy things from local, independent booksellers, unfortunately, Nicola's seems to think they can treat customers poorly and offer sub par customer service. read more

I love Nicola's! Great selection, lots of room for shopping, events for kids and adults, visiting authors and lots of parking. Plus, I like the idea of supporting an independent bookstore. read more

There is nothing as nice as a locally-owned, non-chain, clean bookstore. I love popping in to Nicola's on a weekend morning to peruse the selection... especially the shelves belonging to employees and the featured works up front. I'll shop Nicola's over Borders any day! read more

Nicola's has friendly staff and a good selection of books. Their personal touch of individual book recommendations is really cool. It's like having a conversation with someone about a book before you buy it! I will be checking them out for gifts this year! Right next to Barry's Bagels too! read more

I wandered through Nicola's last night with multiple lists of book ideas in hand. Numerous staff members were stocking books, and I liked that nobody was interrupting my thoughts offering to help me every few minutes. When I did want help, all I had to do was ask, and staff immediately put down what they were doing to direct me towards the requested book. There was one book they didn't have, and I first declined the offer to have it ordered, already thinking I would just go over to the other large bookstore. However, I was told it would be in next week so I was happy to have them order it. It did take me a little while to separate staff members from customers as I didn't notice any staff tags. Otherwise, what I absolutely enjoyed was shopping at a book store staffed by enthusiastic book lovers who know their stuff and know their store. read more

Nicola's is a book lover's store, by far my favorite bookstore in a town full of great ones. The store isn't set up to sell the customer trendy, idiotic, pseudo-books. Nicola has an outstanding inventory, her salespeople know books, and on the rare occasion I can't find what I need in stock, they're quick to order it for me. Nicola's is a perfect example of why people need to shop local. I can't imagine Ann Arbor without this shop. read more

I had one good experience here a few years ago, but a few bad instances this year. The staff is a mix of nice/rude. Some aren't very willing to help, and this one woman was awfully judgmental when I asked about a few titles. I was offended by her snobbery. I loved the idea of a little corner bookstore. Not this one. The last time I visited, I received a call on my cell phone from my mom. I don't usually talk on the phone in public places, particularly inside stores, so I moved out of the way to not disturb anyone. One of the cashiers stepped from behind the counter and walked all the way over to Poetry to interrupt me saying, "I can help you once you end your phone call." I really wasn't trying to be helped and I wasn't talking loudly. It was not a good experience. I just walked out the door, so I hope she had fun putting my stack of would-be purchases back on the shelf. read more

Nicola's Books always offers GREAT service! They have a nice layout and eye catching displays. Everything is always easy to find and if you have a question they have knowledgeable staff to help. If they don't have a book in stock you are looking for they can typically order it and receive it within 3 business days. I did have an issue with the wrong book being ordered and they were very helpful with ordering the correct book and giving me a discount on top of that! Their staff is always friendly, you can describe what you are looking for and they are there to help! I am a many times repeat customer, and I have referred many friends to their store. read more

One of the three main independent book stores in AA (along with Bookbound and Literati). The store is pretty big and has a good selection, but it feels a little less impersonal to me than Bookbound and Literati. It feels more like a Barnes & Noble to me. Don't get me wrong, I like Nicola's and I like Barnes - they have big selections and a lot of fun stuff. But it lacks all the personal book recommendations of some book stores that I really like, and the staff is a little impersonal and seem more like store employees than book lovers. And yeah that's fine and everyone needs a job, but I guess I just prefer going to book stores where I can talk with the staff about books and they seem to have like encyclopedic knowledge of literature, and can turn me and others on to stuff really cool stuff I've never heard of. Though I do like Nicola's, it stands a little below Bookbound and Literati for me. read more

this is the only good bookstore left in ann arbor. personable, always have what i'm looking for, well organized, displays always fresh, go to place for a beautiful card and wrapping paper. kid friendly and host to visiting authors and poets. love it! read more

I love Nicola's for browsing. They offer discounts for local book clubs, and the staff are always prepared to help locate a book, order an item not stocked, and offer suggestions. One thing I wasn't expecting--the gift area is quite nice. There are nice gift stores downtown, but it's great to have another option for those times when I need a unique, inexpensive gift. read more

As more and more storefront bookstores disappear from the shopping centers, Nicola's has beaten the odds by providing home town atmosphere, excellent selection and really fine service from the staff. People are helpful, knowledgeable, and pleasant, without hovering. They also have a beautiful stationery department and many unusual gifts for adults and children. A very thoughtful, charming place, and easy to get find. Parking in Ann Arbor is often a headache, but the open parking lot in this small but attractive shopping center makes dropping in for a few minutes or a few hours easy to do. read more

I love to come to Nicola's! I have always loved that the staff was not only knowledgeable about their selection, but that they are always friendly. One definitely does not receive that type of customer service from large book chains. I love nicola's! read more

The staff are hostile and rude. I've gotten a very unwelcoming vibe each time I've gone in to purchase a book. At the checkout counter, dealt with a cashier (female) who was also very unfriendly and unhelpful. Will not be returning.... read more