Secondhand Stories: Your Guide to Used Bookstores in Philadelphia
As a historic city with a profound legacy of literature, Philadelphia is home to some of the country’s most diverse secondhand book shops. From crowded shops with books piled high to the ceiling to small, curated stores, the city has an option for every reader. Shopping at used bookstores is also the most affordable and sustainable option for purchasing your next read. Buying secondhand books reduces waste by giving them a new life and eliminating the need for further production. Plus, used books are generally priced at around 20-50% of their original cost. Whether you’re a book fiend constantly searching for your next read, a reading rookie wanting to start your literature journey, or someone just looking for an opportunity to get out and explore the city, Philadelphia’s got you. So, the next time you’re itching to buy a new book, don’t make Barnes & Noble your default destination – save your money and the environment by exploring these seven secondhand bookstores in Philly.
The Book Trader
7 N 2nd St
Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic Old City, The Book Trader has been operating for close to 50 years. This shop is a true book lover’s paradise, with two floors of literature to explore. Its narrow corridors of packed bookshelves and novels stacked from floor to ceiling make it a maze of literary gems. The store houses a large collection of fiction and literature classics, as well as a diverse selection of specific nonfiction genres, including mythology, film, economics, travel, art, and more. Investigate the second floor, and you’ll find a separate room full of used records and music books. Additionally, if you’re looking to declutter, consider bringing any old books, LPs, DVDs, or CDs – as a trade-based business, the shop will give you 10-20% of the original sale price of each product as store credit. Keep trading in this way, and you may be able to continue book shopping without ever spending a penny. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a friendly shop cat curled up on a chair cushion in the periodicals section. The Book Trader is the perfect shop to hole up in on a cold or rainy day after grabbing a cup of coffee. Come with a friend or get lost in the stacks alone, but don't miss out on this haven of cozy exploration.
Mostly Books
529 Bainbridge St
This eclectic shop in Queen Village is home to approximately 100,000 titles and a quarter acre of books. With a multitude of rooms and two floors to browse, Mostly Books has been expanding since 1997. From pets to celebrities to architecture and dozens of additional genres, there is truly a book for everyone. The front room of Mostly Books includes a small selection of records, movies, CDs, and other secondhand treasures. Postcards, old photographs, and artworks sold here make perfect collage or scrapbook materials. As you move through the jam-packed space, you’ll likely be greeted by another friendly shop cat. The top floor includes rows of books on design, fashion, and history, as well as a small landing where you can look down and see a breathtaking view of the sprawling shop below you. With reasonable prices and a broad inventory, it’s difficult to leave this shop empty-handed. The next time you’re having a South Street shopping day, don’t neglect to visit Mostly Books.
Brickbat Books
709 S 4th St
As the smallest and most curated shop on this list, Brickbat Books is the place to go if you are prone to claustrophobia or over-stimulation. The shop has one comfortable, open room brimming with both used and new books. Highlights include a notable “rare and unusual” section, a well-selected array of children’s books, and a vast assortment of poetry titles found at the front of the shop. Nestled in the back of the store is a small range of records and cassette tapes along with a collection of art books, perfect as decor for coffee tables. Brickbat’s books are generally in top-notch physical condition, with each title cleanly displayed. The walls are lined with grid-like shelves, where each book is elegantly arranged to showcase vibrant, artistic covers that pop with color, beckoning shoppers to browse. With this coordinated selection and structure comes slightly heightened prices, but Brickbat’s community and events make up for the cost. Holding several events each month, Brickbat offers poetry readings, film screenings, and musical performances. If you’re looking for wholesome Friday night plans, check out Brickbat’s Instagram (@brickbatphilly) or the events schedule on their website. Ultimately, if organization, structure, and community engagement are your thing, Brickbat Books is the best shop for you.
Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room
345 S 12th St
Located in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood, the historic Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room is the oldest LGBTQ and feminist bookstore in the U.S. Founded as a refuge and cultural center in 1973, the shop provided resources during the LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement. It now functions as a non-profit, distributing proceeds to local organizations advocating for the fight against HIV/AIDS. With two floors to explore, the store’s specialty is its extensive collection of LGBTQ books. Giovanni’s Room also carries a large selection of used fiction, art books, magazines, and comics. The assortment doesn’t end here, though – interwoven through the shelves of books are medleys of used clothing, accessories, and records, which makes for a diverse shopping experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. By far, Giovanni’s Room provides the most energetic and celebratory environment out of all the shops on this list, with its welcoming staff, funky decor, brightly colored interior, and constant upbeat music. For a lively atmosphere, a shopping experience that goes beyond just books, and the opportunity to support a meaningful mission through your purchases, Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room is the perfect used bookstore for you.
Molly’s Books and Records
1010 S 9th St
Nestled in the heart of South Philly’s Italian Market, Molly’s Books and Records provides a large selection of secondhand books and music. A community-driven, mom-and-pop shop feel oozes from the store, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The shop’s literature assortment includes significant collections of fiction, poetry, children’s, and music books, and the outside storefront features bins of sale records and novels. Most notably, the store offers a massive variety of cookbooks. If you’re looking for meal inspo, grab a cookbook and stop by one of the Italian Market’s many food shops to spice up your cuisine. The shopping experience at Molly’s supplies a sensual and aesthetic feast — with a mosaic exterior and colorful tiled floor, the steady pulse of rock music, and the tempting aromas of the nearby market wafting through the open door, browsing the shop’s shelves is deeply immersive and fulfilling. Whether you’re into music or cooking or just want an excuse to visit the Italian market, Molly’s is the secondhand bookstore for you.
Lot 49 Books
408 E Girard Ave
If you’re seeking a store with thoughtfully handpicked titles and an open, relaxed environment to browse, Lot 49 Books has you covered. This intimate storefront in Fishtown sells used and new books specializing in literary fiction. Lot 49 carries notable selections of small independent zines, art books, and prominent assortments of philosophy, politics, and other nonfiction genres. As a relatively compact space, the shop is meticulously curated and features books in high-quality condition, making for an easygoing, serene shopping experience. For shoppers who like to judge books by their covers, this is the store for you; the selection and displays highlight artistic and graphically compelling cover designs, providing a colorful and visually striking atmosphere. Additionally, Lot 49 hosts small events each month, including readings, poetry workshops, music shows, and flea markets. The store even offers a membership called Lot of the Month, where paid subscribers receive one staff-selected book monthly. With its deliberately arranged selection, tailored artistic titles, and community-focused events, Lot 49 offers an enriching experience for artsy shoppers and avid book collectors.
House of Our Own Books
3920 Spruce St
Looking to browse a niche book genre? Chances are, House of Our Own has it on their shelves. As the most packed and highly stocked shop on this list, this local store offers a mesmerizing and snug book-shopping experience. Its location on the outskirts of UPenn’s campus in a historic Victorian house makes it a convenient and comforting haven for students and readers. From the moment you enter and throughout the two floors, books are crammed into every nook and cranny and piled high on every available surface. Meandering through the shelves and stacks is like navigating a literary labyrinth, where it's easy to lose track of time. Along with a hefty selection of fiction, the shop carries an abundant range of genres, with shelves labeled “theater and acting,” “family therapy,” and “midwestern fiction anthologies,” to name a few. This is the type of shop you find on a chilly day, hunkering down and spending hours immersed in the shelves. If you’re ready to live the ultimate book lover’s fantasy, head to House of Our Own Books.