Lots of cool Albany swag. Even if you live here, you'll want a sweatshirt! Or a shot glass with…read moreNipper on it. Lots of unique things too, from body butter to bar tender essentials to books about Albany. Stop by and browse! It's a small boutique located in downtown on Broadway.

While I do understand that the ownership has changed and inevitably will give the store a different…read morevibe, my main issue has been that in the times I have been into this store since the change in ownership and management, the staff has been unpleasant and on one occasion in particular, made my friend and I feel very uncomfortable as she had a loud and extremely personal phone call during the entire time we were in the store without even acknowledging that we were there at all. I do think the selection has always been great, and I appreciate the emphasis on supporting local work, although that also seems to have changed a bit since the change. It is a pricey location for most things, but I do always enjoy seeing what is in the store, the card selection is consistently excellent, and it is a great place to find a gift!

Despite my curmudgeonly facade, I really, really prefer to buy local, and to support small…read morecompanies and artists. However, I really feel like the Capital Region doesn't make it really easy for people to practice this. Yes, there are a few farmers' markets, but everything is so ridiculously overpriced, I just can't justify adding even a lowly bag of spinach into my budget. There's also an "independent" used book store around the corner from my place, but they specialize in text books for the local colleges, and are often more expensive than the UAlbany bookstore. Don't even get me started on the independent coffee houses and restaurants. It's like someone thinks that the people around here have really deep pockets. And while there surely are those people who do (politicians, etc., etc.), there are enough colleges within city limits to make the argument that there are enough people who CARE about independent business, but can't AFFORD to support them on a student budget. The Paper Sparrow gets it. Thank GOD. This is a boutique that would fit right in in Portland's trendy Hawthorne strip. Is it out of place for Albany? Hell yeah. Not so much in historic downtown Troy, which seems to have eons more personality, but it was nonetheless an unexpected treat. On a regular basis, the Paper Sparrow boasts a rotating selection of cards, bags, hair accessories, jewelry, soap, hand-spun and dyed yarn, and doodads, all (1) HANDMADE, (2) BY LOCAL ARTISTS, and (3) TOTALLY AFFORDABLE. In fact, most of their absolutely adorable necklaces and earrings could easily be passed on at other stores in the area for a cool $30+, but here, for only $10. Some really awesome and unique hair clips for less than $5. Here, you can purchase one-of-a-kind pieces at fair prices that go right back into the community, supporting local artists. Really, I love it. It's kind of like Etsy on crack. And this is the store's mission, too. I thought that maybe it was a fluke that all this adorable stuff was so reasonable. But then I checked out their website, and it was all in their ultimate plan--making beautiful, locally made things accessible to more people. Did I mention they have a gallery space in back? They do. And they have new showings every month for Troy's Last Friday event. It's pretty fantastic, and I absolutely love what this place is doing. I really hope that it's around for a good, long time, because we honestly need more places like the Paper Sparrow around.

The woman working was so rude. Everything's so overpriced, especially considering the necklace I…read morebought fell apart after a week. Bye $79

Great gift shop for any of your needs. Staff is usually helpful. Great selection of cards! Always…read morethe first place I go when buying unique gifts for friends and family.

This is a supply shop (sweat shirts, mugs, pens, binders) for the Russell Sage Colleges. It is not…read morea real book store in the real sense! Students come here to vegetate in couches and to order their textbooks and readings. The store is clean, bright and staff is on top of it. That said, it isn't a traditional old-school book store. No thematic sections! A bit misleading to call it a 'Books' store. Review: 4

Ultra cute tiny bookstore for Russell Sage College, technically off-campus but run under an…read moreagreement with the college by Follett. Textbooks upstairs, including a rental program, while downstairs is a tiny collection of the usual campus souvenirs and a very small but kind of interesting collection of local books. It's actually not a bad little gift store. It's attached via an interior corridor to Bruegger's. Prices were what you'd expect, although I did run into a clearance sale for some items today. The manager was very sharp and I expect even though it's small the store has the signs of being a good asset to the college. FWIW it's not a destination store if you're without a Sage affiliation (too small) but if you happen to be in the neighborhood, worth stopping in and browsing. And no, I didn't find out what M.O.S.S. stands for (it's technically not 'Moss').

When I walked in, I wasn't greeted, even though staff acknowledged other customers who entered…read moreafter me. I spent about 15 minutes browsing and tried to ask a question about a title I was looking for, but the response I received felt dismissive and rushed. The staff member didn't make eye contact and seemed uninterested in helping. What stood out most to me was the difference in tone and attentiveness shown to other customers compared to my interaction. I left feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome, which was disappointing because I wanted to support a local bookstore.

The 2 star reviews below are right…read more I Love Books is a brick book store in Delmar. Each time I have stopped by, the cashiers switch their convo to weird and absurd matters. How some family members are richer. Wealth. Evil men. Even belittling customers indirectly. What I have overheard is: "The people in this town.." and "I don't ever watch TV, TV's for stupid people.." and "My brother left this town long time ago." You get the idea. Lots of moaning and groaning. How about welcoming people? I've been in 6 times, never been 'hello-ed'. There is a lot of the same sort of books, too. Multiples! Much of it is geared to babies, toddlers and women. There's a lot of one-sided, biased and straight-up in your mug NON-variety. All the books skew one way. Beatnik-y. Comical. Nonsensical. The literature section is all romance for women. There are diaries (all pink) for women. There are feather pens and cards and therapy books - you guessed it all written and produced for women. Trying to brainwash a village with one-sided sections, while selling to the people in the village? Badmouthing the people who stop in? That's why its "For Rent" (see pic). Review: 2

Great little spot with a lot of used books, movies, toys, clothes and all kinds of stuff.read more

This was my first visit, but I was so pleasantly surprised! The space is so unique and feels and…read morelooks like a bookstore. Every nook and cranny is neatly filled with books and unique items from my childhood such as Archie comics and cassette players as well as record players. The owner is incredibly kind and knowledgeable and shared so much about his physical location and online store. I was able to get my book and a bonus book to celebrate my birthday. I will definitely be back! Thank You!!!

Awesome place! So many different vendors and inventory to choose from! It's like a small mall!read more

There are 2 cool things about Artique Co-op: the variety that you get as a shopper, and the fact…read morethat they give all these local start-ups a place to set up shop. When I say variety, I mean reallly variety! Dog treats, melted glass bottles, light bulb ornaments, crocheted socks, amber jewelry, a clock that runs on water, a barber chair, pasta sauce, a heart made out of wine corks, fashion clothing designed just for you, Americana, hats for Saratoga track season, sparklers, polymer clay jewelry, and artwork made out of bent forks. What this translates into is that you KNOW you will find something when you walk in, because the interests are so wide. Regarding the start-ups, it's neat for them to have a place to launch their businesses while having some support or infrastructure at the same time. I wish there were more places like this.