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SmartSherbet t1_ire8i14 wrote

Bedlam has the best selection, tidepool the coolest space. Root and Press is a fun spot as well, but really more of a restaurant than a bookstore these days. Their food is great but the book selection seems smaller every time I pop in.

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mineinhusdson OP t1_ire9ukq wrote

Wifey is all about the space.

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mineinhusdson OP t1_ireemoc wrote

And being able to kick off her shoes and prop up her feet.

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Unlucky-Boot-6567 t1_irgve6p wrote

this dudes post history is all about his wife’s feet

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legalpretzel t1_ire7um5 wrote

Tidepool

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bdoped t1_irea00u wrote

If you don’t mind a little drive through Connecticut (beautiful this time of year) try taking her to The Traveler Restaurant in Union CT. Decent food and that old cozy feel you’re looking for, plus thousands of books to borrow and buy!

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Left-Assumption-5843 t1_ireeq1m wrote

Bedlambook cafe is where it’s at!! Amazing space, with a cafe at the back where you can sit for HOURS if you want Enjoy a hot coffee/cocoa and browse away!

One of my favorite spots in Worcester

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New-Vegetable-1274 t1_iremvif wrote

I loved the big box variety like Borders and B&N. The internet killed a lot of brick and mortar operations but one would think there's a big enough niche to support book stores. Perhaps Borders would have done better if they offered craft beer, ax throwing, free arcade games and trivia nights.

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mineinhusdson OP t1_irf42r2 wrote

I did like Barnes and Noble. I was never a Boarders fan.

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New-Vegetable-1274 t1_irgstpc wrote

When malls were a thing, book stores didn't do well in them. When the Worcester Mall, the Galleria was new, for a couple of years there was a book store called Walden's. I worked downtown then and would go to Walden's every pay day. Then one day it was gone. The Worcester mall only lasted a decade and never even paid for itself. Such was the fate of a lot of malls in the US from that time forward. It's not a shopping experience I'll ever miss. Before Walmart came along there was a lot of similar retail but a notch classier, cheap stuff but you couldn't shop in those places in your pajamas. Didn't care for them either but I'll always miss Spag's. I'm an hour west of Worcester but used to make a day of it at Borders, Spag's and Trader Joe's. I haven't been out that way in while. Ordering stuff online is easy enough but just not the same kind of experience.

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mineinhusdson OP t1_irgvmox wrote

I completely agree. And I miss actual books, not e-books.

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studiojosie t1_irekudn wrote

Bedlam is my fave :)! Very well-curated, lots of queer/fem stuff. Lots of poetry. But you can find anything. Make sure to check out crompton collective after for some prime antiquing!

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AchillesDev t1_ireep50 wrote

Is Tatnuck Booksellers still around? That place was super cozy.

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Jaekash1911 t1_irgg688 wrote

Who remembers Tatnuck Book Cellar?

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mineinhusdson OP t1_irggb7z wrote

There’s still one in Westbrook. It’s not like the original one though.

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Oyadonchano t1_irkdo2b wrote

Bedlam is the place I feel most comfortable spending time in. Annie's is the place to dig for gems. Root & Press is small but well-curated. Your wife will be finished browsing in like 5 minutes tho, and personally I think their food is overpriced for the quality. Tidepool feels too sterile for a bookstore.

Overall suggestion is go to Bedlam on a weekend morning and then head over to Birchtree for brunch and discuss your book choices.

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kshearules t1_irkrf4c wrote

The WPL. I know it's not technically a store; but it's got everything through the CW/Mars library card and the price is right.
Also discounted/free passes to all kinds of cool fun things.

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