"The interior is wooden, the store has a perfect sized cafe to read your books while sipping coffee and muffin."
"It feels like a comfortably worn in library, with a rambly, staircasey, wood-paneled kind of space, like Mr. Rogers would be right at home."
"It has an old-school rich person's library vibe with the spiral staircase and mezzanine level."
"Such a sweet, hidden spot in NYC."
"First of all the layout is beautiful and makes you feel like your in beauty and the beast!"
"It feels like I am in a Harry Potter's Library."
Cons:
"The space was a bit dirty and had some weird people."
"The store surroundings is full of drug addicts etc."
"Too much propaganda for my personal taste, and less books than libraries nearby."
"The second floor is mighty cramped. I had some awkward encounters when I was trying to squiggle past people who were seriously reading their books or scribbling in their journals."
Book Selection and Events
Pros:
"They carry wall-to-wall of used books for hours of perusal."
"The selection is amazing."
"Everybody should visit this bookstore. They have every kind of used books."
"Huge diverse book collection."
"A fantastic selection of books. So many treasures."
"They have a great selection of used books in all different genres."
"The selection of books is always extensive."
Cons:
"What on earth has happened to this place? Scowling staff on entry, no more LGBT book section and no laptops allowed!"
"It's not the best or the biggest selection, but everything is for a good cause."
"However the book selection was terrible. It’s very limited in genres and I couldn’t find one book that I’d want to read."
"They get hundreds of books in donations a day but few copies make it to the store shelves."
"While the books are sorted by topic, they do not have an up-to-date catalogue so won't be able to tell you if something specific is in stock."
Cafe and Food
Pros:
"Warm and cozy with delicious coffee and matcha and home-baked goodies like brownies and oversized cookies!"
"Their hazelnut coffee is to die for!"
"Great coffee and sandwiches plus a great company of books."
"The cafe serves up some nice baked goods and fresh coffee and tea."
"Delicious drinks and snacks. Try the seasonal blackberry pie latte!"
"Coffee is great and staff is really nice."
"The cafe in the back makes drinks and nibbles and snacks."
Cons:
"The kitchen is under construction so they will have a limited menu while renovating."
"The food in the cafe could be improved."
"However, the cafe attached is not entirely as great. Here’s why: (1) there are no open plugs for you to charge your electronics, (2) the service is unfriendly, and (3) the maintenance of the sitting space lacks attention."
"It was very inconvenient that there were no outlets available to charge my electronics."
"The cafe is currently closed."
Community and Social Impact
Pros:
"They sell donated books to create a profit that they use to support low-income HIV patients with their treatment."
"I'm aware that the money that I spend there is used to help find a cure for AIDS and, house the homeless."
"Plus proceeds from the shop/cafe go to charity."
"All the proceeds go towards ending AIDS- and what a great book selection to boot."
"Proceeds of this treasure trove benefit Housing Works and their mission to fight AIDS."
"All the books are donated and all profits benefit those affected by AIDs. Completely volunteer-run too!"
"Proceeds go towards Housing Works' services that help low-income New Yorkers."
Cons:
"I'd rate it higher but having to buy something at the Cafe in order to sit down is incredibly unbecoming of a nonprofit business - they should remove that policy and honestly be ashamed of ever having it."
"It's good but definitely overpriced for donated items."
"They sell proofs which are clearly marked 'not for sale'."