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Westside Stories

4.8 (67 reviews)
InexpensiveBookstores
Closed Closed
Updated 1 month ago

Westside Stories Books, Mags, Music & Video Photos

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Recommended Reviews - Westside Stories

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Reviews With Photos

Books!
Donna Y.

I scored a book my husband has been wanting with the help of one of the Sales Associates - she went out of her way to help me. This was my second time here - needless to say I recommend this store and will return.

A look at one of the bookshelves inside.
Alanna P.

I absolutely adore this little bookstore on Grant St. Located in a cute little strip down the street from Buff State, this bookstore has good prices, cute gifts, and a rewards program for bibliophiles like myself. The books are well organized which is a huge plus as many used bookstores can be confusing, and the selection is delightful. The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable to add to the charm. Certainly worth a stop, one of the hidden gems of Buffalo!

Zahin C.

Amazing collection & great prices- can't wait to go back and buy more books! They also have a stamp card.

Ryan W.

This bookstore is a Westside success story in the making. Owner Joe Petri's a Buffalo re-pat who's lived all over the country, from the deep South to darkest Brooklyn. After getting tired of pushing a stroller onto crowded subways, he and his wife relocated to B-lo, where rents are cheap and entrepreneurial dreams can quickly come true. After snagging their space across from coffeeshop Sweetness_7, next to a community garden and greenhouse on Grant, Joe and his wife filled up their store with used books, pricing them all under $10. There's really good stuff here, and it's less picked-over than in other bookstores. As they have small children who are always in and out of the store, they've also added a kids' corner stocked with picture books -- and as the neighborhood lacks an easily-accessible library, they allow each child to take home 1-2 FREE BOOKS per visit. For older kids, they've worked to curate an extensive and inexpensive Young Adult section (perfect for kids like me -- I went through a book a week as a tween). Though they don't promote it, they also have crates of cool records in good condition, all on sale for $3.50. If you take one home and it's scratched, they'll swap you for another one, no problem. Another find at this bookstore for me was the stack of homemade cookbooks behind the register (ask Joe about it). A collection of recipes from Westside residents, bound together with a simple plastic cover and sold for a $2 donation, this thing is a bona fide cultural treasure for any Buffalo cook, full of recipes for diverse dishes, from African eggplant to Puerto Rican arroz con pollo. You better believe I'll be cooking my way through it this spring, Julie & Julia style, and getting my ingredients from Guercio's, right across the street. (I'll also be stopping into Sweetness_7 before or after a good afternoon browse in Westside Stories every time I come.) As I'm writing this in chilly March, I'm imagining sunny afternoons in the summertime, when gardeners will be busy cultivating their plots next to the store, kids will be busy learning to read inside, I'll be busy drinking my latte and trying not to blow my whole paycheck on delicious books, and the whole 'hood will be buzzing with a new energy, brought on by new businesses like Westside Stories. I can't wait!

Sooo happy I stumbled upon this charming, little bookstore, on Grant Street. It may look deceiving from the outside that it is very tiny, but surprisingly when you walk in, you will see that they have a lot to offer! I was in search of some old, worn, vintage-looking books for décor. I didn't know if I was going to find what I was looking for, but ended up being pleasantly surprised! They had exactly what I wanted and more. The prices were extremely reasonable and inexpensive. They even had a $1.00 cart, in which I found multiple old (and newer) books for 50cents or a dollar; you can't beat that! The atmosphere was very friendly and inviting. The owner (I'm assuming) was gracious upon entering and during check out. I love that they give you punch cards for every $5 dollars you spend, towards $5 off, after spending $30. I can't wait to go back here :)

Great little gem. Found a few books today I can't wait to read! Will go back down there again soon.

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14 years ago

Yup, that good. Friendly helpful people, affordable books, comfy space. Pretty much everything you want in a used book store.

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11 years ago

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15 years ago

An awesome little bookstore, with great prices and a relaxed atmosphere. I'll definitely be shopping here again.

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12 years ago

Great place around the corner from my house.Friendly people with a nice selection of books at decent prices.

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13 years ago

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11 years ago

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13 years ago

I joined Yelp to review this place. 'Nuff said, really. Cheap. Quality. Cozy. Cool people. Going back.

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Review Highlights - Westside Stories

Sooo happy I stumbled upon this charming, little bookstore, on Grant Street.

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Rust Belt Books - Front entrance

Rust Belt Books

4.5(26 reviews)
0.0 miWestside
$

It is a magical space for those who love books and reading them. Every book you had possibly…read moreimagined reading (and hundreds you never thought of) are probably in this store. It is owned and run by Kalissa and her husband Vinny. They are kind and charming.

I walked 20 blocks or more in the rain with rare books so that the owner could tell me to take a…read morehike and essentially spit in my face, judging me, saying my books smelled like "smoke" and granted they are not in mint condition they are 100% fine and the only reason some were wet was because I had to wait in the rain for them to open later than the hours say. I just needed $1 to $5 dollars for food and a water and she took out all her frustration and aggression on me because there is a leak upstairs, yet she couldn't have empathy for the fact there was a drop or two on my books from waiting in the rain. It would have dried and they would have been fine for selling. A little bit wavy from slight water damage isn't "mould" like she kept saying because I brought God Bless You Mr. Rosewater by Vonnegut, and that copy is beat up. But I didn't even bother mentioning who the books are signed by because she was so adamant about not being interested. Your loss. There's literally a 1905 book that is worth $80 and that one she picked up and flipped through but then she decided to stick with being horribly rude and said she can't help me at all. Glad I threw my back out for nothing. It's called "Rust Belt USED books" .. Just wow.

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Rust Belt Books
Rust Belt Books
Rust Belt Books - Books n kitty

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Books n kitty

Turn the Page Used Books - Front entrance

Turn the Page Used Books

5.0(12 reviews)
14.7 mi
$

I'd drive 45 minutes for a book hug--and I do…read more There are a lot of reasons to love Hamburg, NY--but at the top of my list is Turn the Page Used Books, a charming little haven where the books are used, the prices are kind, and the smell of paper and stories hits you in the face like a warm, nostalgic high-five. Once upon a time, I lived just 6 minutes from this gem. Now I live 45 minutes away, and I still make the trip. Why? Because walking into this place is my version of therapy. Yes, I'm the weirdo who openly sniffs the books. No, I'm not sorry. The selection is outstanding. I won't swear they have every genre under the sun, but I will say I've never left empty-handed--and I read everything from thoughtful nonfiction to weird fiction to "why is this cover so dramatic?" suspense novels. They've also got a fantastic large print section, which makes me look like a great daughter when I stock up for my mom. (Let's ignore that I walk out with twice as many for myself.) The staff? Lovely. Friendly. Helpful. Basically your dream book club, minus the pressure to finish the book on time. If you're into books and warm vibes, you're already one of the gang. Highly recommend. Bring a tote bag. Or three.

Oh my gosh, if you're a fiction / sci-fi / fantasy book fan, this is a very dangerous bookstore for…read moreyour wallet. SO many drool-worthy titles. I left with a literal armful of books today and it's probably for the best that I had set myself a time limit for browsing. The sections are clearly labeled and sorted by author. If you're treasure hunting for favorite authors, bring a list, because you will want to look for ALL of them. Bonus: easy to see pricing, and very reasonable. Plus the staff was friendly of course! (and they have a step-stool if you're short and want the books on the top shelf because of course I do.)

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Turn the Page Used Books - Puzzles and cookbooks

Puzzles and cookbooks

Turn the Page Used Books - Sci-fi / Fantasy wall

Sci-fi / Fantasy wall

Turn the Page Used Books - Pocket books and great signage

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Pocket books and great signage

Westside Stories - bookstores - Updated May 2026

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