Powell’s of Harrisburg. I don’t mind that many of the big box bookstores are closing down, but I’m ecstatic when I see places like this surviving. Places like this inspire hearts to think beyond the screen. To relax and converse. I just loved smelling that book smell as I walked through the isles. The coffee was good enough, but I typically don’t rate a bookstore on the quality of its cafe.

As an avid reader who prefers physical books, this store was amazing!! It was huge with a section below of rare and very old books. Would love a store like this in our area. They sell new and used books for great prices! Fantastic coffee shop inside as well.

Wow, there is not enough good things to say about this amazing bookstore. It has the vibes and looks of a traditional bookstore. They have an entire outdoor section of books lining the exterior of the building. You can buy a bag inside and fill it for only $15. The inside has a cafe immediately on the right side and the coffee was fantastic. The books are separated by category and author. They have new releases, signed editions, first editions and used books. I found a 1965 Kurt Vonnegut novel for only $1.95. A great spot to find steals for reading. Overall, I bought 13 books, including 6 hardbacks for only $118. Every hardback I bought was originally $28. An opportunity for plenty of bargain shopping for great books.

Always a great ambience in here. The variety here is expansive and there are quite a few areas to sit and read. Love it here.

I love the selection and the atmosphere. Definitely a favorite bookstore from now on. Give yourself a few extra minutes and grab a snack or a drink while you're inside. I grabbed a a bargain on a couple used books outside! Love this place

I found this gem a few weeks ago. It is a delightful new and used book store in midtown Harrisburg. The decorations and atmosphere almost give you a mystical feel when you are there (a little harry potter like). They have all kinds of book sections, a cute cafe, a bakery area near the kids section and a little sitting area on the second level outside. It's a nice place to study and relax and I will definitely be back.

The interior design is lovely. It gives it an antique feel. They also have a small cafe, so it’s a good place to stay for a while. The bookstore also has a balcony you can access if you explore a bit more.

It's always a delight coming here. So warm, inviting, and magical! I could get lost here, which is the best! We were specifically looking at the older books when we went yesterday.

I passed by this place during my long walk in search of street murals in Harrisburg. I entered the store with the intention only to warm myself up on this cold winter day; however, I was immediately intrigued once inside. The main space has a 2-story tall ceiling featuring an old oxidized copper/brass bell. The entire upper walls on the right side was a huge mural of people engaging in all kinds of leisure activities. There were staircases in the back leading to the loft, and on the sides leading to the second floor. The structure, the ambiance, and the smell of books were so inviting, begging me to stay longer and explore more. Yeah, the setting is so very "scholarly" that it really reminded me of a library I used to spend time studying while in college. There's a café right at the entrance which doubled up as book checkout registers. There are used books in the second floor gallery. And there's a separate room through a door on the left for children's books. It's very rare these days to find an independent bookstore, let alone a cool one like this one. I strongly recommend a visit if you're in the area. Together with the Broad Street Markets just across the street, it'll definitely be worth your trip.

Edit: The store contacted me swiftly and corrected the original issue. Changing my review from 4 to 5 stars because of their excellent customer service. They assured me that this was not a typical issue for their store and that it would not happen again! Original: This place has a lot of character. I went for a book signing event recently and it was great. I love the atmosphere and the decor. It’s beautiful. I also liked that there is a little cafe. However, the reason I am rating 4 stars instead of 5 is because the card machine at the register offered the auto-tip buttons (15%, 20%, 25%). I pressed 20% because I was purchasing two drinks. Turns out the auto-tip was for the entire purchase (2 drinks, 3 books, and a tote). So it equated to about an $18 tip. I asked if I could go back to the tip screen to tip 20% on the drinks only and was told they couldn’t do that without a manager and they were too busy to get the manager because of the event. It just left a sour taste in my mouth which is a real shame because otherwise my experience was 10/10.

I was here searching for what the library could not special order. This is one of the nicest secondhand book shops I've been to. Neatly organized barring some sections, like comics. Counter Culture coffee means they have good taste. Plenty of seating. The only off-putting thing I have to mention is when I asked for help looking for something by an author, I was asked if they were "white" when they couldn't find him. Not sure what an author's perceived skin color matters for, or what that even means. What, do you sort by hue? Otherwise, fun place.

Came to see the inside of this old store formally the "Boston Store." The original building was a carpet and drapery store. Renovations have kept the store to original looks . Currently a bookstore with over 200,000 in inventory. WOW

I love this bookstore! Not only did I meet my favorite person, author, Jenny Lawson but this amazing store is magical and fun. It has four floors which I didn't get a chance to explore so I will be returning to do so. When I walked in I was immediately greeted by an awesome employee who helped me navigate my journey. They also have an adjacent store with old books and maps. So much history and I can't wait to return. Please stop in and experience some magic.

truly one of the most inviting, get-lost-here-for-hours bookstores I’ve ever been to. great space for readings/events, & lots of seating upstairs if you want to sit with a book and some coffee! love that there’s a cafe inside!

Midtown Scholar Bookstore is a literary haven in the heart of the city. The store has a cozy and welcoming ambiance with towering bookshelves and a vast collection of genres and topics catering to every taste and interest. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about literature, offering insightful recommendations and engaging conversations. The store also serves as a cultural hub, hosting author events and book signings. Midtown Scholar Bookstore is committed to sustainability, promoting the use of recycled materials. It is a literary sanctuary that embodies the true spirit of bookish passion and is recommended for all lovers of literature.

Was on trip stopped in here quickly. I think if your big reader or collector of books this store is definitely for you. There a lot of area to cover in the place and they use up every inch they have for product which makes it kind of hard to look at stuff. Was also little hard to get your directions to what you were looking for. Plus wasn't much staff around if you needed any kind of help. That being say it is a unique place to check out. And the history behind the place was fun and enjoyable. And it looks like they have some amazing author events and appearances. If i was local and had more time to explore. I think it would have a higher rating. If your local and traveling in the area check out this place. If your a big reader or book collector this is the place for you. I would probably suggest to go early for parking and have more room to browse.

This store is a book lovers happy place, the store has multiple areas on 4 different levels, this is in addition to their rare book store next to the original store. So many choices and the prices are amazing. They have bargains everywhere you look including a bakery and coffee bar. The staff was amazing helping is find books and even going out to the floor to find them, this is a must for anyone who loves to read.

Such a great bookstore. Large variety and nice mix of new and used books. Love the vibe, too. Very cozy, welcoming, inclusive. My friend and I went to see an author speak and we really had a nice time.

This is the bookstore of all bookstores! The more I kept walking through the bookstore the more store there was to see. So much to look at so much to read, everything you need is probably in this place. The kids section is great it has a room where they can sit and even a little cafe. The kids were able to quietly sit in there while we browsed through the book store. This place is a must visit. It changes the definition of a book store. Barnes and nobles could never be this unique.

The Midtown Bookstore is absolutely outstanding. New books, Used Books, Sitting areas, Cafe and Bakery are all for the Community to enjoy all three floors of super goodness. The Midtown Bookstore is conveniently located in Midtown Harrisburg and is one of my favorite spots to visit and hangout. Highly recommend for everyone to stop by and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere.

This is the most amazing book store I've ever been in. There's something for anyone amongst the rows of shelves with something new to discover around every corner. Make sure to check out all the floors if you visit! Great cafe inside too.

Absolutely obsessed with this place. By far the coolest bookstore I have ever been in. The basement is a hidden gem with lots of old books you won't find other places. Also the coffee was delicious. Super kind and helpful staff because the bookstore can kind of be a little bit of a maze to navigate!