Changing Hands Bookstore image

Changing Hands Bookstore

Bar Event venue Snack bar Gift shop Toy store Book store Childrens store

Long-running shop buying & selling used books, plus regular author readings & other events. People often mention books, book, great, love, store, bookstore, gifts, time, staff, selection,


Address

300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Website

www.changinghands.com

Contact

(602) 274-0067

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1.9K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM to 8 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 8 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 8 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: books (28) book (21) great (15) love (14) store (14) bookstore (14) gifts (11) time (9) staff (8) selection (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jamie F. 1 year ago on Google
    I love the book store!! Their selections are plenty and I love the staff recommendations. They have a cute cafe/bar area and the staff is friendly, easy going, and willing to help.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin H. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the coolest stores in town. If having a drink, reading or getting work done and going to poetry nights or meeting authors are your jam then this is your place. Tone of books, peaceful vibes and lots of room for creativity and connection.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 msbusyblonde 1 year ago on Google
    After years of hearing about this place I finally made it. Amazing! You would think all book stores are similar but I loved the way things were organized. I loved the "remarkable reads" and "employee picks" signs. So many trinkets and gifts that I'll definitely return when needing a fun gift for someone. The coffee shop/ bar is large and spacious. These two places together mean I could spend all day here!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Grace C. 10 months ago on Google
    Love this bookstore! The employees were friendly and incredibly kind. Great selections of used and new books of all genres that are also well organized. They also have other goods perfect for gifts. If you are a book nerd or know one, I highly recommend checking this spot out!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 AZ K. 2 years ago on Google
    This was our first time out to this location. We usually go to the Tempe store. The employees here were friendly and helpful. The shelves are clearly marked to help you locate items. You can also put a book title in the search on their website to check availability or you can walk to the back of the store and ask an employee to check to see if they have a particular book in stock. They have a children's section, a small coffee shop, and many unique gifts.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chiquita W. 1 year ago on Google
    So I've been on the hunt for the perfect weekend spot to chill, relax, study & read for months now. I've tried many coffee shops, Barnes & Nobles, and libraries, but I was never 100% comfortable. Most of those places that I tried were either too loud, too crowded or just didn't have that chill vibe. Ya know? Luckily I finally walked into this place today and I felt at ease almost immediately. They have super cute & funny socks, coasters, bags, and other little gifts right as you walk in. Plus, It's not too crowded at all, they have a BOOKSTORE, a BAR, nice comfy chairs & tables where you can READ, study, or do some laptop workin'. 😀 The people seem really cool! (One lady in the back by the books seemed a bit annoyed after I asked her a question...but other than that this place is so cozy) And I love the indie vibe. This may be my new favorite place to come on the weekends :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 :] M. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely LOVED this place!! There were so many interesting things and books, the layout of the store was really nice, and the coffee bar was a perfect added touch
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carol G. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent independent bookstore! They also have fascinating and unusual assortment of other gift ideas for the kitchen, your car, stationery, and pretty much whatever you can imagine! A great assortment of greeting cards, and there's a coffee bar that has snacks, wine and other beverages. They often bring in authors and artists to give talks and demonstrations. Classes are also available in many different areas such as writing or crafting.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 sherry 11 months ago on Google
    If you love books and being able to purchase them this is a better bet than the big box/online stores. Book worms dwell here! The staff is helpful and welcoming. They have a coffee bar aptly called First Draft Book Bar. I’ve attended several author talks and have to say they’re well organized. It’s also a great place to pick up extras like gifts, buttons and stickers. Both Tempe and Phoenix locations have a great vibe! Children welcome and encouraged!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yesenia C. 5 months ago on Google
    There's so much cool stuff here! There's a bar. in. a. Bookstore. The first time I went was for a book signing with Ashley Flowers and her book All Good People Here-amazing book, by the way. If you do not listen to her crime junkie podcast, you need to get on it! There's a restaurant in the same building but it's separate. They have books signed by authors, too, which is cool. There's also a ton of cool knickknacks and snacks. I can get a glass of wine, smudge stick, and incense and a cute mug with my new book in one place, lol.

  • 5/5 Isabella E. 6 months ago on Google
    New favorite spot. It’s a wonderful place to purchase books, other fun goods, and even just window shop. People who work there are incredibly friendly as well!

  • 5/5 Kel D. 6 months ago on Google
    We love going to this bookstore. In addition to it just being a bookstore and you getting some pretty good deals on second hand items and also a good selection of new things, there's a fun little things you can get too. Little pins and clothing and kitchen items and bags and socks and different things. Plus there's a bar there... All over a great experience. And we've never had an unhappy employee experience, everyone's always so nice and helpful and just down to earth!

  • 5/5 Colleen M. 6 months ago on Google
    Changing Hands Bookstore is a literary gem. It's more than just a bookstore; it's a community hub for book lovers. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to help you find your next great read. The cozy ambiance and frequent author events make it a must-visit for any book enthusiast.

  • 5/5 Alexis C. 6 months ago on Google
    A Phoenix staple! I love the original location, too, but live in North Phoenix and feel so lucky to have this cool bookstore AND bar available so close! Whether it's for work, fun, or simply because I need a new book, I love coming here. Some of the best gifts, too.

  • 5/5 Patrick M. 6 months ago on Google
    A neighbor friend of ours retired and we were invited to the party. Changing Hands Bookstore is a great place to do gift shopping for a thoughtful and inspired gifts including great cards and gift wrapping for most occasions. They not only have books but they also have lots of special gift items to choose from. Highly recommend!!

  • 4/5 Austin G. 5 months ago on Google
    Book lovers will love this store! With plenty of parking, it’s a restaurant, bar, and cafe inside a bookstore with organized sections like fiction, business, and travel. You could easily browse for an hour or so. The largest section is fiction. As a travel writer, I always find a bookstore’s travel section. It’s very small compared to other stores.

  • 5/5 Squid L. 7 months ago on Google
    Love love love this place! The environment is so comfortable and quaint, they have pretty much any type of book you could look for and even awesome little gifts and trinkets. I always come here to feel good and the Cafe/bar has awesome hot chocolate so thank you 🙏

  • 4/5 Treyton M. 4 months ago on Google
    Very cute bookstore. From the name, I thought it was going to be second-hand books, but that's not the case. I browsed for a while with a friend of mine, then we went to the café and played a card game. There are a couple of other store attached to it or connected by hallways at the back.

  • 5/5 karen s. 5 months ago on Google
    Very quaint book store, with a dedicated space and seating to accommodate book signings. I attended a book signing by Alex Aster, with her new release, Nightbane. The book was readily available, in hard cover, at a good price. The signing was wonderful, she spoke about her writing, about her journey to getting published, and her continued success at such a young age. Her social media presence played a huge role in her acceptance among the publishing world. The store did a great job of hosting this event, it was a welcoming atmosphere. I'm looking forward to reading more of Alex's stories.

  • 5/5 Danielle D. 4 months ago on Google
    The name is a little misleading, I was expecting more used books. While they do have an exchange counter they primarily stock new books. They have a fantastic selection for the size of the store, though it can be a little tricky to navigate when it’s really crowded. In addition to books they stock lots of fun little gift items. I have placed several custom orders and pre-orders and they have always been great on notifying me that my stuff is available for pick up. I’ve never had time to stop by the attached bar, but I’m always sad that I live so far away because it seems like it would be a great local hang out! The staff is friendly and overall shopping here is always a great experience. One of my favorite indie bookstores of all time and a must stop if you are in the area!

  • 5/5 Marie D. 6 months ago on Google
    We have this scratch off game for couples that gives fun date ideas. We scratched off one this morning that said we had to go to a bookstore and find a childhood book we liked, read them to each other, then buy the books and give them as gifts. We found Changing Hands Bookstore near the restaurant we were going to for lunch. I'm so happy we found this store!! They have so much stuff. We found our books and did our challenge. We're going to donate the books during the holidays. We also found some gifts for our family. I feel like we spent a lot of time in this store. There's so much to look at. There's definitely something for everyone. There's a coffee shop inside and dining area where you can read the books you just bought. Bathrooms are very clean. Parking was a little busy. Also, as a side note, they have the Toasted Owl Cafe next door. I love the Toasted Owl's Flagstaff location. I haven't been to their Phoenix location yet because it's fairly new. They have a lot of vegetarian options.

  • 5/5 Ashley P. 8 months ago on Google
    THIS IS THE COOLEST BOOKSTORE! Oh my gosh. Went last weekend, coming again tonight. I love it here! Great selection and I also noticed they have a lot more on their website that you can have shipped to the store. I inquired about hosting our bookclub here too and they've got options there as well. So glad to have this place in our community!

  • 5/5 Sara W. 7 months ago on Google
    Love the atmosphere of this store. Also enjoy buying books that are near new for discounted costs. There are fun knickknacks to go through, too. Haven't had a drink there yet, but plan to soon.

  • 5/5 Kyle K. 7 months ago on Google
    Had a great time walking around this bookstore in the morning. I grabbed two tea lattes from the bar and chilled. Unique selection of books both new and used. Great clearance racks in front of the entrance. Love the vibe here.

  • 5/5 Dan M. 11 months ago on Google
    So this place is probably the best bookseller in the city of phx. I say this because changing hands on the East side is famous, but this location because it is so small has to curate the books they present/sell. As a result, book nerds and readers will have a hard time deciding what to look at, since the quality of books presented to the customer are usually, if not always, top notch. (I'm an English/literature teacher/prof and) I always go there for ideas. Love this place because they curate booklists for me.

  • 5/5 Emily S. 7 months ago on Google
    Changing Hands Bookstore is a book lover's paradise. Their diverse selection of books, cozy reading nooks, and welcoming ambiance make it a haven for bibliophiles. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate, providing excellent recommendations. A must-visit for anyone seeking literary inspiration and a sense of community in the world of books.

  • 5/5 Kira N. 7 months ago on Google
    Love this bookstore! So many unique books, gifts, and other trinkets that you’re not going to find at barns and noble. Very cozy feel that also had a bar inside! If you’re looking for your next book to cozy up to snd read, looking for some informational books or looking for books on Arizona, this is definitely the place to go! 🫶🏼

  • 5/5 Hannah 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely impressed with this bookstore! Such a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff and a wide selection of books and other little knickknacks. I will certainly be back!

  • 5/5 Mayra L. 1 year ago on Google
    I’ve been to the Phoenix location twice already and I absolutely love this bookstore, as well as the First Draft Book Bar! They have a great selection of books and great merchandise for gift ideas. The staff is so helpful and very friendly. I found my new favorite place to hang out at on the weekends.

  • 5/5 Lisa T. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful store and great selection. I love the smell of the flowers. I still prefer the one in Chandler because it's got easier parking and takes 40 books at a time. This place only takes 15 at a time for trade in. Still nice people can't speak for the bar though.


Call (602) 274-0067 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Service options
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
    • ✓️ In-store pickup
    • ✓️ In-store shopping

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