Spend the Day!
What you'll find
Our store is housed in a renovated 1920's movie theater, which became Harrisburg's first split-level department store in the 1950s and is now a vibrant community meeting place in Pennsylvania's capital city. We are honored to have been named one of "America's Great Independent Bookstores" and voted "Simply the Best" Independent Bookstore in the region for 14 years and counting!
Our bookstore-cafe extends over two buildings and includes over 200,000 used, new, and discounted books for all readers, in addition to an exceptional collection of rare books, lithographic and woodcut prints, "The Little Scholar" children's and young adult wing, changing art gallery exhibits, a main stage for author talks and acoustic music, a community classroom, and a poet's corner.
We are pleased to offer organic, single-origin and direct-trade coffees and espresso drinks from the award-winning importers and roasters Counter Culture Coffee, as well as over 30 varieties of loose-leaf organic and fair-trade teas from Rishi Tea. We partner in-store with P&R Bakery Cafe, which offers breakfast and lunch service with cakes galore and famously good sweet potato pie.
C-SPAN's Book TV has archived its broadcast of a Video Tour with the owners.
In the Region
We are located in Harrisburg's Midtown Arts District, across the street from the historic Broad Street Market and just a few blocks north of Pennsylvania's Capitol complex.
In our neighborhood, be sure to catch an indie film at the locally owned and operated Midtown Cinema, meet resident artists, craftspeople, and graphic designers at the Millworks artists' studios, enjoy a meal at the Millworks-Harrisburg's local, sustainable farm-to-table restaurant and craft brewery, and end your day with delicious eats and a concert at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center. For theater lovers of all ages, we recommend attending a show at the nearby Gamut Theatre, home to the Harrisburg Shakespeare Company, Popcorn Hat Players children's theater troupe, and TMI Improv comedy nights.
Harrisburg is a short drive from Hershey Park, Gettysburg's battlefields, and Lancaster's Amish country. For travel & lodging suggestions, visit Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors' Bureau.
Driving Directions
From I-81: Take Exit 66 ("Front Street"). Travel SOUTH on Front Street about 3 1/2 miles. Turn Left onto Verbeke Street (follow signs for the "Broad Street Market"). Turn Left at the next stoplight onto Third Street. We are the second building on the left.
From I-83: Take the "2nd Street" exit. Tavel through downtown about 2 1/2 miles. Turn Right at the stoplight at Verbeke Street (follow signs for the "Broad Street Market"). Turn Left at the next stoplight onto Third Street. We are the second building on the left.
Parking: Free parking in the dedicated lot behind our store. Free 2-hour parking around the Broad Street Market. Metered parking on 3rd and Verbeke Streets, 8am-7pm Mon-Saturday. Use the ParkMobile phone app and select savings code "LUVHBG" to receive up to 4 hours of free street-parking on Saturdays.
1 1/4 hours from Baltimore, Maryland
2+ hours from Washington, DC
<1/2 hour from Hershey, PA
<1 1/2 hours from State College, PA
<2 hours from Philadelphia
3+ hours from New York City
3 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh, PA
<5 hours from New Haven, CT
7 1/2 hours from Boston, MA
12 hours from Chicago, IL