Vroman's in Pasadena is an incredible bookstore and community hub. I visited during a convention when our organization purchased 25 books about housing to display at our table. The staff at the pick-up desk provided excellent customer service for our purchase orders. One standout feature was the children's book reading section. An author was reading his book to children and their mothers, and it was a free event that took place every week at the bookstore. I was also impressed by the wide variety of gifts, stationery, and book accessories available for sale. The products had a unique personality and were reasonably priced. I bought a few items for an upcoming birthday gift for a dear friend. If you're in the Pasadena area and need to buy a gift, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at their cafe, or of course, browse their extensive book selection, I highly recommend Vroman's. read more

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1st visit and our 3rd & final stop on the inaugural LA indie book crawl. Est. in 1894 Vroman's is an institution and its retail store is huge compared to the other bookstores we visited. Chances are we'd find titles from our booklist here if we hadn't already found them. The fiction section is expansive, having dedicated aisles for mystery, sci-fi and fantasy. Dedicated shelving for the Penguin Archives (different from Penguin Classics) series in addition to a carousel of classics under the New York Review Books (NYRB). Kudos for siting cashiers throughout the store, avoiding longer lines, and having a separate info desk with a kind staff member who was willing to turn over every stone in the database to help me track down my obscure requests. They weren't in Vroman's inventory. However our family still managed to make a Benjamin-sized dent in our discretionary spending. Bring your patience b/c the free parking lot behind the store is shared with Total Wine and the cinema. Drivers could be staying for a while with the enticing coffee shop and live events like a trio concert just outside Vroman's rear entrance. The next time we're in Pasadena and can't find gently loved copies of specific books at Book Alley, we're coming to Vroman's. read more

Vroman's is the place we come to browse before a movie at the Landmark theater next door. Today I had fun taking pictures of a comical kitchen towel, a wooden plaque, and a clever bookend. It was packed with happy shoppers. They must change the window displays every month or two because they're always different: folktales, everything to do with cooking, and a best dressed section. Worth checking out! Highly recommend! read more

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My very 1st visit. Also, my 1st stop on the LA indie book crawl 2026! There is a sizeable free parking lot behind the store. Yay! Free and easy parking. This store is huge. There are 2 levels. There is also a very cool coffee shop playing cool music inside. They had awesome decor too for sale. A lot of cashiers are scattered throughout. There was a sizeable mystery section thankfully. The service was friendly. read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Book crawl map - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

Always a great night out to hear from authors. There's usually something interesting going on upstairs or in the wine bar! Let's do the numbers. PARKING There's a free lot out back. Plenty of spaces for everyone. SELECTION there's more than enough for me in my regular sections, but there are tons of sections I don't usually peruse. Like "wind chimes" and "backpack" sections . If you're looking, they even have snacks for your next read STAFF super helpful and friendly. If they don't know your book (they do), they'll ask a coworker who will know it and have all the extra details you didn't know to ask for. PRICE better than affordable: Supportive! (Readers and writers communities) SPACE There are a ton of accessible open aisles. Huge space outside (maybe for outdoor events?) read more

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It's crazy, but I've lived in Los Angeles for 38 years and today was my first time at Vroman's. Well, better late than never, because it's just a fantastic store you can easily get lost in for hours at a time. Yes, it's a bookstore, and they've got plenty of books in every genre imaginable, all displayed on dark wood shelves that invite you to slow down, put away your technology and browse as we did in simpler times. But Vroman's transcends the notion of a mere bookstore, sporting a cafe/wine bar and a wide variety of departments selling household goods, stationary, journals galore, pens and pencils (from kid-like to high end, serious adult writing tools), office items, toys & games, and on and on. And while they do carry some of the brands easily found everywhere (you have to have what people need), they also carry interesting and off-beat brands you'd never find at B&N or other such retailers; that's what makes you really slow down to consider what you may have been missing all along. Add in an abundantly available, friendly & helpful as can be staff, and you just may never leave. Of course, they also host events with authors, and I came by for a copy of Valerie Bertinelli's memoir plus a photo op with my teenage crush. Well, this was not Vroman's first rodeo, because there was a sizable crowd yet the staff moved things along at an impressive pace, with an enviable degree of order and coordination. If they get tired of books they can just get into event planning, because I'd hire them to run almost anything. So, now that I've finally discovered the many miraculous possibilities at this privately owned wonder of a store, I'll be coming back to see what other treasures I can find among their stacks. read more

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My absolute favorite bookstore. I could spend so much time and money here, especially with the children's books. I brought my kids here and they were in absolute awe. My son was very pleased with the variety of bug and marine animal books (his favorite). Vroman's is a charming, magical, and local gem of Pasadena. There's also a cute park I discovered across the street on Union St which we'll have to stop by next time. I can't recommend Vroman's enough :) read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is a huge and delightful bookstore and, by God, there is even a beautiful bar at the front entrance. Exactly what more could you ask for? Other than movies and music, I don't think I could ask for more than booze and books. Although I personally prefer used books, you will only find new ones here. But don't sleep on the bargain section: I found two excellent books, one of which won the Pulitzer Prize. Set aside some time here. The place is very large and there is even a second floor. Apparently, Vroman's is SoCal's "oldest" bookstore but it looks and feels very modern and new. Parking is rough in this stretch of Colorado Boulevard but you might find street parking, if you are lucky. read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Inside. - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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A magical land indeed. I can honestly spend all day here and I still wouldn't be able to see it all. I usually go straight upstairs to the children's area for my kids but every crevice and corner is packed with books, stationary, cards, knickknacks and more. There's so much to see it's no wonder this Pasadena staple has been around for over a 100 years. Customer service is 10/10 and I love how they even sell autographed copies of books authors have previously signed. If you have a free afternoon give Vromans a visit it's worth it every time! read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Kids area - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Stumbled upon this jewel of a place. They have two floors! 2x the greatness! Upon entering, there is a cafe/bar with a great and welcoming ambiance. There are several checkout counters stationed around the store. Around every entrance/exit. They were all very friendly. Second floor had a book author event. The whole place felt lively but not too overwhelming. It was spacious enough and clean. The books were all very tidy and neatly placed. A cozy place. I feel like I could spend all day! There are also many neat things besides books. I feel like there could be something for anyone at this place. Their prices, I think are fair. Searched up some magnets by chance online to see the price and it matched up what online retailers were selling them for. Would I come back here again? I would love to. read more

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This is a long standing Pasadena institution that have withstood the ups and the many downs of the print book business. There's free parking lot in back and some pay street and public lots nearby. Vroman's has a nice warm vibe and classic book store decor. Lots of knick knacks and various book adjacent merch along with shelves and shelves of books. Plenty of fiction and a large fantasy and sci fi section. I wish the graphic book section was larger but they can order anything. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. It's great to read the mini reviews the staff place on the shelves. The top floor has a large children's section and an extensive greeting card selection. Vroman's is a "must visit" if in this part of Pasadena. read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Music section - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

I love bookstores. After reading about Vroman's being Southern California's oldest and largest independent bookstore since 1894, I had no reason not to immediately check it out the next day. What a wonderful find! Upon learning about its and its owner's history, this institution understandably has great value and must be a beloved hub not just for the community surrounding it but also from visitors near and far. What with its vast selection of not just books but an also all-encompassing merchandise: a surprising variety of retail items, home goods and unique gifts, this gem is so much more than just a bookstore. Inside this bookstore, one CAN wondrously have it all! Aside from having its own entry from inside the bookstore to a cozy coffee shop, it has its own wine bar inside where folks can actually enjoy various spirits and beer. The staff is friendly and warm. The store has two well-organized floors with appropriate signage, making for easy browsing and discovering new finds. I did not regret finding this gem of a cozy place at all. If only I live nearby, I would love to keep coming back. read more

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This place absolutely blew me away. My wife and I made our first ever trip to Vroman's Bookstore like a half hour ago to buy some books for family (stop using Amazon, help neighbors pay bills). When you first walk into this place, you can immediately see just how massive this place is. On top of being a massive book store, they also have a full coffee shop and a bar inside. Now, the first place of Vroman's has pretty much all of the books you could possibly want as well as shirts, California souvenirs, bags, an entire section dedicated to pens and journal, and an insane amount of random crap to sort though. Upstairs is the kids section as well as what looks like an area for book signings which is super cool. My main problem with this store is that nobody forced me at gunpoint to buy the autographed copy of Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman I wanted but forgot to pick it up before I left (I already read the book and it's fantastic). Overall, Vroman's Bookstore is a place I'll be returning to many, many times. The staff here were charming, the store was clean and wonderful, and the selection was unbeatable. Come buy a book, it will literally change who you are. read more

Vroman's Bookstore - One of a thousand aisles. - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

A small bookstore located on Colorado Avenue in Pasadena. I was here for the Valerie Bertinelli book signing they have two floors. It also has an elevator from those who cannot climb the stairs there's also a coffee shop located on the first floor unfortunately there are no parking structures. You would have to find parking on the street was great to see Valarie again since I used to work with her on Hot in Cleveland. Selection is limited. The value for some of the items is slightly overpriced especially for the non-book gifts. Service here is great. This place gets a four out of five stars. read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I visited Vroman's Bookstore during a girls trip to Pasadena, and it turned out to be such a fun surprise. We initially expected a typical bookstore, but it's so much more than that. As one of the oldest independent bookstores in California, it has a really special charm. Inside, there's a wine bar, a coffee shop, and even a cute gift shop upstairs, which makes it easy to spend a lot of time browsing and relaxing. While I was there, I got to listen to an author present her book and answer questions, which added such a unique and memorable touch to the visit. The store was busy, and you could really feel how much people enjoyed being there. The layout is well organized, making it easy to find books by genre. Upstairs, there's a spacious children's section, which is great for families. I also loved the section featuring Orson Welles books and posters. It was a really cool and unexpected addition. Overall, Vroman's is more than just a bookstore as it's an experience. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area! read more

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It is the holiday season and that means one thing,special times with family and friends. For our family, we always take time to go to Pasadena and browse at Vroman's bookstore. At Vroman's you will never be disappointed. We love strolling the aisles, bookstores are so rare these days. There is such a large selection, you can always be sure to find exactly what you're looking for and others that you never thought about. The real joy for me this time of year is the special curated selection of gifts. If you have someone to buy for and want to get them something special a trip to Vromans is exactly what you need. They have a large selection of games, decorations, and unusual items, really something for everybody. Check out the photos and you will see what I mean. Holidays aside, a trip to Vromans bookstore is always special. Make a day of it. You won't be sorry. read more

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This place was highly recommended to us by a friend. We were in the area and decided to stop by. We had parked somewhere else close by and walked. It is definitely a nice independent bookstore and it even has its own wine bar. How cool is that? Very relaxed ambiance too. I can stay here for hours. There were so many cool items that they sell other than books. I personally love their stationary section. Good customer service too. Would love to come back here again. read more

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I'm in heaven when I'm at this place. So much so that I forget to take pictures. The options of books to choose from for myself or anyone else in the family.. down to the little ones is plentiful. Thank god for books and them still existing. Weird to some but to those of us that love flipping a page and the smell of those chapter books, it's wonderful! Often times I've come where with intentions of finding a new book and they may have a guest speaker on the 2nd floor. Or I can't a book and glass of wine on the first floor. Heck you can be stuck here for hours. I challenge you to go there if you haven't, you will love it. The service is unbelievable and the store is very clean. It NEVER disappoints. Promise! Oh.. and the value for your buck.. fantastic. Great prices for excellent products. read more

Vroman's Bookstore is a Pasadena treasure, and today's visit was extra special. I came for their Dungeons & Dragons game, and the place was buzzing with excitement. Staff members were fully in costume, leading the adventure and bringing the story to life. It was my very first time playing D&D, and I loved every moment -- from learning the rules to rolling the dice in suspense. The giveaways throughout the game kept the energy high and everyone engaged. Vroman's always delivers a great experience, but this event was pure fun. If you're in Pasadena, stop by, join an event, and support this fantastic local bookstore. You never know what adventure you'll stumble into! read more

Vroman's Bookstore - D&D game - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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the boyfriend & i finally came to pasadena for this beaut! it's my birthday weekend & i just really wanted to explore vromans after years of hearing about it. there's so much variety here. from walking in to the cute gothic valentines section to the elaborate kids books on the second floor. everyone is super attentive & seem to love their jobs. even sat down w/ my library copy of IMMORTAL DARK & set it up beside ETERNAL RUIN. read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I love this bookstore! It's actually pretty huge with a great selection of books. It's 2 floors of a wide range from fantasy to cook books and everything in between. They have a newsstand with the latest magazines and news. There's a gift shop with lots of fun goodies. There's even a wine bar to enjoy your latest book! read more

Why? Why can't there be a bookstore like this on the other side of the hill?! This place is a book lovers dream and also a wine lovers since I visited the bar while there. But first let's talk about the books and store. I mention store because they have everything from decor and fashion accessories to stationery and pens. It's seriously amazing and huge! You could spend hours just looking around. Now let's talk about the bar area. We went on a Saturday afternoon and managed to get to the cafe right at opening so there were plenty of tables. Service was fantastic. Fast and friendly. We ordered a couple of drinks and nuts as well as chips. Everything was made fresh and honestly so good. Left with a book and a yummy tummy. This was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. read more

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I went to Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena recently. I explored both of it's floors. I liked that the place is big. I thought it was cool that there was an author speaking upstairs when I was visiting. The first floor's lighting is a bit dim compared to the second floor. There is a wide variety of book genres they carry. read more

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There are so few bookstores left one can actually have the experience of going into and browsing new books. It is miles and smiles above any online experience. You can smell the pages when you walk in. They are the most helpful bookstore I've ever been to. They feature monthly and weekly presentations by authors. The staff is professional, extremely pleasant and knowledgeable. They will happily order a book for you if it is not in stock. They have a stationary section and fantastic kids section, with books for all ages, and baby gifts as well, and great children's gifts for birthday parties. Their assortment of books for adults in all areas is magnificent. Vroman's is a Pasadena institution. If you've never been there, you're missing something quintessential about Pasadena and classic bookstores. They also specialize in unique gifts. As stated, they have a beautiful card and stationary section upstairs, and is the only place I will go to buy books. Don't miss out on Vromans. It is like coming home. read more

This is review No. 2,900 for me. Lucky you. I was walking on the sidewalk on the north side of Colorado Boulevard with my mom in Old Town Pasadena sometime between 2009 and 2017. We had just parked in a super secret location, which I won't reveal here, but which affords our family the opportunity to visit Old Town Pasadena at any (godly) hour and still find parking--and it's usually free. Anyway, I don't remember what exactly was going on, but my dad's birthday was nearing, and I wanted to come to Vroman's to buy him a book. As we walked into the bookstore, a police car sped by; it either had its siren on, or it did the bloop! bloop! thing. I casually said something like, "There goes the five-O," and my mom asked me what I was talking about. She was born a long time ago; she doesn't really enjoy police dramas (although did did like CSI a lot); she's never seen The Wire. I explained to her that five-O was a reference to police, taken from the TV show Hawaii Five-O, not to be confused with the 2010 reboot, which was Hawaii Five-0. Not that it ever made any sense for either show to have that name--why would a police department refer to its state's order of admission into the Union? And don't give me credit for pointing that out; in the early '80s, when Nick at Nite was a thing, they would play these clips of comedy skits over and over and over and over and over. One of them had a stand-up comedian who made fun of this ("Freeze! New Jersey Three!"). She wanted to know how I knew this, and I said that it was pretty ubiquitous at this point, and that anyone would know it. My mom normally believes me, especially when it comes to pop culture, but she really didn't at this point, so she challenged me. We bet something like $5 on whether random people would know the expression. We walked up to three different Vroman's employees, and the two of them younger than fifty knew right away what five-O referred to. The older woman I asked said she had heard the reference but had no idea what it meant. My mom was shocked, and she handed me a $5 bill. So thanks, Vroman's, for the easy money. But Vroman's is owed more thanks, for although I probably wouldn't have given this place a second thought in the 1980s and '90s, independent bookstores--or bookstores of any kind, really--are an endangered species. I like to visit and patronize them. Yes, I own too many books, but books also make great presents, and it has heartened me over the past two-and-a-half years just how busy Vroman's is every time I visit. Granted, two of those four or five times have been during the holidays, but even in the middle of summer, the aisles can be crowded with people perusing and browsing and asking the helpful employees where to find specific titles. The workers here are fantastic. They're all very knowledgeable, and even when they're busy--which they often are--they're polite and actually communicate with you, which is unheard of for most frazzled workers under a certain age, who seem to believe that body language and/or awkward silence are effective forms of communication. The selection is extensive, and if you can't find something, they're more than happy to look it up for you. The cafe noise sometimes annoys me, especially when it's very crowded, but I can't complain about crowded bookstores in 2026. Whatever gets people in the door is fine, and the talkative cafe people do seem to be bibliophile types; I've seen at least two book clubs meeting here. If you're in Pasadena, come to Vroman's. You'll be surprised at how enjoyable it is, even if you already have high expectations. read more

This place is huge!! You could genuinely spend all day here and then some. There's even a small bar downstairs (and an attached restaurant). Parking is plentiful and easy. I was very impressed by the variety of books and the beautifully curated displays. It does seem like they cover every genre. read more

It's really nice that they have storytime for toddlers. I do think the setup could be better. Instead of lining up rows of chairs, it would be nice if they had people sit on the floor in a circle. This would allow the kids to run around in the middle of the circle and play with instruments and get some exercise because we all know toddlers can't sit still. I really don't think the adults would mind sitting on the floor. They have a huge selection of books here their children's section is nicely created. One of the employees (the short girl wearing a beret) was rude to me and my daughter and no one offered us any help finding anything despite numerous employees working to restock shelves. I guess that's customer service though in the LA area and I haven't really come to expect more. read more

I love Vroman's! So many books and items that you may want with your books (bookmarks, book bags, pens, etc.) Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Some items are a bit pricy but it's all about supporting small businesses! read more

OK I admit!!! I went to Vroman's Bookstore for a booksigning (Mark Harmon aka Gibbs on NCIS) and what a bookstore Vorman's is. Here is my story Booksigning first: 1- welll organized 2- offered photo ops 3- timely 4- very polite and helpful staff About Vroman's Bookstore 1-Independently owned and operated 2- large (2 floors) 3- coffee and wine bar on the 1st floor 4- clean, neat and organized They have a spot for kiddie books where authors go to read to the children. Aisles are wide enough so you can browse in comfort They are not overly priced as they could be. They have special order options available. Would I go back there? Most certainly! #flyforfun #flyrforbooks #flyforVroman read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll book signing - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is a fairly huge bookstore. They have a cafe and bar inside which is pretty wild! Always have to support your independent bookstores and they have a pretty large selection of books. They were hosting a mega sale on the second story today though it was only for select items. Overall always loved this bookstore. read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Front - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

So glad a friend told me about Vroman's Bookstore! The bookstore is a large with a huge selection of books!! There is an upstairs area with lots of kid books and a section that has all the items you need for a perfect gift. You can also grab a drink at Vroman's. I highly recommend this bookstore if you're in the Pasadena area. Staff were all very friendly. They do have an area where they host events as well! read more

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This is my favorite bookstore. Great selection of anything you could possibly want. They have free parking, it's massive, and staff is helpful. I've been going here since I was a kid and it's still going strong. If you're in Pasadena, it's a great place to stop by to shop. If you're looking for things to read, it's impossible to leave empty handed read more

One of the very best independent bookstores in existence. Came here over the weekend and found some very difficult to locate titles and was quite impressed with the depth and breadth of their fiction section. Everyone that works here is extremely knowledgeable and helpful too. Please patronize our independent booksellers, it is more important now than it has ever been. read more

Vroman's Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I've been coming to this bookstore since I was a kid. Its importance to the neighborhood is only rivaled by its history. The staff are kind and knowledgeable and the selection is huge. I don't understand negative reviews for one of the last truly great bookstores. Yeah parking sometimes kinda sucks, but it's Pasadena, what are you gonna do :shrug: If they don't have a title in, they can order it for you and their web site is also easy to navigate. Hope they stay open another 130+ years read more

A fun bookstore with crafts, knickknacks, and what-nots. Spacious and not crowded, but busy. A great place to be to spend time in.

Vroman's is one of my favorite places. It's a massive bookstore that's been around forever. There are a mix of small gifts and, of course, books. Downstairs, is dedicated to a variety of different books from fiction, travel, biographies, science fiction, fantasy, etc. Upstairs has all the kids and young adult books. One of my favorite things about this bookstore are the handwritten recommendations from the staff who work there. As much as I love a B&N, it does not compare to a local bookshop. There's something different about the environment here that makes you want to wander the aisles of books. They have a wine bar area which I haven't been to since it's typically morning when I visit. There's an attached coffee shop as well which is pretty good. When I'm in the area, Vroman's is a must stop for me. There's easy parking in the back of the store which is another huge plus. read more

This is one of my favorite place to walk around in Pasadena. I am nerdy and love books. It is difficult to find a bookstore these days, and I would like to support local business. This store has 2 levels. It has a variety of books. They also sell stuffed animal and toys in the children section. There were sections that has staff recommended book and the reason why they recommended it. I saw posters that this store hosts book signing events from time to time. Price is decent, and I will continue to support local business. This book store is closed to a lot of local restaurant, and it would be a perfect place to walk around after your meal! read more

Their curated selection is amazing, there is space to move around, parking is easy, and an elevator is available to get to the upper floor. I love that they have a great selection for each holiday and a local section. Their coffee shop and wine bar is also wonderful! As a super plus, their team is knowledgeable and kind if you have any questions! read more

Good library right on Colorado. Reminds me a lot of a bigger Barnes & Noble. Workers weren't too friendly, but to be fair, I did come here before going to the gym, and my attire showed it, lol. There's no Spanish books section like in most Barnes & Noble (or at least I wasn't able to find it). There is also a kiosk with magazines right on the right side entrance of it. read more

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Disappointing customer service. I was in the neighborhood with my family and let my (mature, responsible, quiet) 12-year-old look around on his own while I read my newly purchased book at the wine bar. I was then lectured by a manager for "leaving my child unattended." I sincerely apologized for my mistake, and asked what their exact policy was and if it was posted anywhere in the store or on the website. She replied there was no official policy "because parents should know better." Got it. Mom shaming received. Will purchase books and beverages elsewhere. read more