This is another one that turns me green with envy. Not only does it sound amazing (reviews I read said that they’re pretty sure it never closes…), but it’s right across the street from the Free Library of Philadelphia. Book-havens within walking distance of each other? Green, I am. Anyway, Dana was nice enough to tell me about The Last Word and answer some questions.
How long have you been shopping there? Do you know the staff? Are they helpful?
I’ve been shopping there for a year and a half(about). The staff is great, mostly family members of the owners and college students that go to Penn (which you can literally through a rock and hit from the store). They’re helpful but at the same time will gladly stay out of your way and let you roam piles and piles, shelves after shelves of books. They also encourage you petting and talking to the store kitty.
What sets your indy bookstore apart from chain stores? From other indy stores?
It’s different from chain stores because everything is used and therefore at bargin prices. It’s different from indy stores because being so close to an Ivy League school, you get a very interesting mix of stock, from text books to popular fiction. There is truly something there for every reading taste.
Plus, it’s directly across the street from the Walnut Street branch of The Free Library of Philadelphia. So, if the store doesn’t have something you’re looking for, you can easily walk across the street to the library and check that out. Or ask the staff to go searching in the stockroom. Sometimes they have what you want but they haven’t shelved it yet.
Does your store have new and used books or only one or the other? 100% used.
How many times a month do you visit? I’d say about 3 times a month
Does your store do special events/ author signings/ things like that? Do you attend these events? No they don’t hold special events but it would be great if they do.
To learn more about this bookstore check out their website.
For the intro to my Indie Spotlight series, hop over here.
To learn more about indie bookstores in general head over to indiebound.org.
To recommend a store to spotlight, email me at jacki@lovelylittleshelf.com