For the price, can't be beat!…read more The model is simple: donate your books (up to 7 boxes per visit). They give them away for free! According to their website, you can't take more than 150,000 books per visit, so don't be too greedy, you bookworms! They sell 1-2% of donated books to cover overhead, but everything else is volunteer basis, keeping The Book Thing a free community even once a month. Be prepared to wait in line. We arrived at 11:45 so most of the big rush had faded. They let people in on the hour, with a max of 100 people in per time. If you arrive after someone leaves, they can let you in to finish that hour out. You could make a day of it - there are several cafés, breweries, and restaurants in the area that you could visit before or afterwards. Inside there are three rooms - red, blue, and green. They are organized by genres. A warning: this is not for claustrophobic people. It gets crowded and while people are generally polite and respectful, you will rub shoulders with plenty of other bibliophiles. My kids enjoyed it, though Child #1 was a tad overwhelmed and Child#3 wanted to get out of his umbrella stroller and run around! They all picked out something that was just for them. My wife gathered several books and I picked up a couple for myself. When you leave, you need to count your books and tell them that number (for their record-keeping) and your ZIP code. Other than that, it's a great deal, not to mention a fun way to meet other folks in the community. One parent reminisced about how her (now grown) daughter used to love a series that my middle child was looking at. I overheard one woman asking about a particular genre and a volunteer told her that those usually get picked over pretty early. So while there is more of a wait and higher demand closer to opening time, it sounds like there are some choicer items that are available then. DONATION - there is a small one-way road that leads around the back. After the morning rush, it seemed like it moves quickly. There's a small parking pad where you can pull up and give your books to some volunteers. Parking - it's Waverly, so pretty much street parking and you will have to look. We lucked out and saw someone leaving their spot right by the donation drop-off, so we were able to park close. If you have a bunch of books that could use a new home, come donate them here! If you are curious about grabbing some new books for yourself, drop on by! Just check the website for specific dates - it can vary from month to month what's available.

Such a cool community completely FREE resource in the city! I first heard about bookthings in 2023…read moreand this was my second time coming here. It has been in operation since 1999 and filled with volunteers and they now own the building. It's only open once a month now but I guess it used to be more. As a tip - go closer to the hour like on the :45 mark otherwise be prepared to wait an hour. People from all walks of life come here. This operates on donations so I dropped off my books and got in line. It is a bit overwhelming and the books are organized in categories. It is fun to browse but there is a chaotic energy that I don't always love. I don't think I would go back - I much prefer the little libraries! After standing in line, when you walk in, you do have to adjust to the brightness. It's a completely free resource. You can take as many books as you want. When you check out you just tell them the total number of books and your ZIP Code. It's amazing this free resource exists - make sure you don't hoard (like the two women in front of me who were on their fourth entry of the day). Make sure you partake in the recycling of the system. Take books back take new books and keep this amazing free resource in the community.

A cute local bookstore!…read more We have been recommend to visit this spot a few times, so we decided to stop by and visit. The bookstore has a broad selection. The staff was friendly. I also liked that they had a signed books section. Wish some of their genres had more of a selection, but overall a nice store!

A local find while visiting Baltimore for Thanksgiving, this store was small but so cute. They are…read morea local bookstore with eclectic charm! I was able to pick up a book I had been looking for on my TBR but wasn't able to find anywhere so that was exciting! They also sold greeting cards and bookmarks by the register. The girl at the register was so kind and did well with the crowd although she was there by herself on a weekend. This is a great spot to support a local business and look for your next read!

Amazing selection of second hand books. All the books I saw were in great condition. The store is…read morevery well organized by genres which makes shopping simple. I found great books and was suprised with how diverse their children's book section was. Will definitely be going back to buy more soon!

Amazing selection of books, puzzles, games, even crafts, very well organized also. There is a…read moresummer reading program for kids. All money made after facility operating expenses is used to assist refugees. Everyone who works here is a volunteer. Stop in first before going to Amazon!

I didn't have a prolonged visit here, as I just stopped by and picked up some pastries to bring…read morehome. Whilst there it looked like a very big and nice place to maybe meet up with friends or even try to get some work done. It wasn't overly noisy or anything. Also everything is vegan. We actually ordered a vegan pie from them for Thanksgiving and can attest it was delicious. Next to the coffeehouse is the two story bookstore. The ground level is full of books highlighting political and/or social subject matters, whereas the second floor seemed to have more regular fare. It's a nice inviting space for everyone - would recommend checking out.

I'm real torn here. I wanted to LOVE Red Emma's but I did not. It was cool, but certainly not in my…read moretop 10 of spots I went to in Baltimore. Let's start with the best part: the bookstore. You're not going to find everything here, but the sections that are curated are top-notch. I got a few books about abolition and a handful of poetry collections written by locals. This is, in my mind, the best part of the place. There's also a big selection of zines, and the person working told me I could choose some free posters. Then there's the cafe part. All vegan? Sounds amazing! In reality, it's quite expensive and just OK? Like, I've been a vegan for nearly two decades and I've eaten my fair share of vegan food around the world. And the food I got at Red Emma's? I paid $20 ish for a cheeseburger with applewood smoked bacon, and it tasted fine, but it wasn't great. I don't know, I was expecting something more delicious, not something I could have made at home for 1/4 of the price. Maybe it was just that I choose the wrong item, because there are other items on the menu that also looked good. Of course I get that because it's worker owned, prices might be higher. I get it. But it was still disappointing. And the people working were nice but sort of disinterested. Some more good things: They sell Palestinian sodas, which I love. There is an option to prepay for a meal or a drink for someone less fortunate. They open their bathrooms and space to members of the community, which means anyone who is e.g. unhoused can use the space. It seems like the spot is doing a lot for the community, which I admire. A lot of people were there working on their laptops etc., so it seems to be a space people like to hang out and get stuff done. I plan to come back next time I'm in Baltimore to give it another chance, so stay tuned.

I love Everyone's Place. It is a historic gem!! Such a wide selection of reading materials and…read moremore! Customer service is always professional, inviting, attentive and hospitable.

Every time I walk in EP, it's the aroma that always make me happy and relaxes my soul. There's this…read moreamalgamation of varying body oils, incense and soaps that truly permeate the air and this fragrant heady aroma that is absolutely intoxicating. My mission: to get raw Shea butter bc everywhere I've gone has refined Shea and I want the vitamins & nutrients raw Shea gives. EP is such a place to get authentic and organic products w/o all the bells & whistles of pretty packaging. It's just really good stuff!! When I tell you no one there gives a crap, believe it. This place has been around 40+ years!!! And u can tell. There is and always has been a type of air that is given off by the employees when you enter. It's as if, 'you should know what's in here and what it's for and how to use it already... and if you don't... ah well'. I get and can't appreciate the hands off approach. I hate nothing more than a pushy salesperson. That's not what's happening in here. It's more of an indifference to anything. This go around, as has always happened here, I had a few questions. The employees seem out off by having to stop looking in their phones to actually answer a question. So after the eye roll and the sigh, I ask... and as is always the case, the question is replied to with complete indifference ['If you want it, get it. If you don't... cool... but put it back where u got it. I ain't movin']. That's always been my 'turn off' w/ this place since I started going in the 90s. Sadly, EP has been one of the only stalwarts that has stood the test of time in the area. Granted, they have good genuine products in stock. Fantastic body oils, tinctures, lotions, soaps, incense, teas, fabrics, art, sculptures a literal library of wonderful Afro centric literature, etc... it's all there. And if it isn't, they can prob get it for you. But it's the 'indifference' for me. I'm sure it works for them bc they've been the same way for 20+ years. While the price points may be a lil higher than expected, taking into account that they are a specialty shop catering to a a specific need/ demographic, the pricing is definitely justified - especially in this market w/ so many businesses closing. I do hope EP stays around for a long time to come. I just wish the employees gave just an iota about what they're selling in the shop (lower level).

It's so wonderful to have our own bookstore in Catonsville!!! There's an excellent selection of…read moreused books for very, very fair prices. She also has a great selection of new books for children. I also like to order new books from Jen. You might not get them by the next day, but it's worth it to me to support this wonderful spot. Not only is it in Catonsville, but it's an independently owned company. Independent stores are my favorite type of capitalism. Not to mention - Jen is super! I like to give my money to good people rather than to Amazon, who will be laying 500,00 off in the next few years. I hope more of my neighbors will do the same so we don't ever lose this gem!

Was just there and Jen, the owner, helped me select books for everyone on my list. Great customer…read moreservice, well-organized displays, lots of options, easy parking. Great experience!

Cute store with a decent selection of new and a few used books. Pleasant environment and helpful…read morestaff. A nice find on Main St. across from Becks

A must visit when you're in downtown Sykesville! The cutest bookshop. I love how they have "staff…read morerecommendations" throughout the store. Got some books for my classroom and for myself!

When I was craving good coffee and good vibes while in Baltimore, it was Bird In Hand that…read moredelivered on almost every occasion (pretty much all the time that I didn't switch things up by going to Blueprint, with their review coming later)! On top of being a solid coffeehouse, Bird doubles as a great local bookstore filled with plenty of good reads. But I was craving caffeine and their seasonal lattes and Vietnamese iced coffee proved to be sweet revelations! they also have a full espresso bar and even have a good selection of spirits for when you need to kick back and imbibe on a cocktail. For food I saw a lot of temptng options on the menu,which included breakfast options like avocado toast and egg & cheese sandwiches, and seasonal salads. But it was hard to turn down the spicy ham banh MI which delivered a savory salty burn in the right way! Toss in awesome service, and a water refill station that serves still and sparkling, and you have the perfect pick me up!

What an amazing day to have an amazing iced ginger tumeric latte made with oat milk…read more The relaxed hippie spot is calling you to endulge in a peaceful drink specially prepared by the friendliest people. Stop by and make a cool selection of your choice of drink whether hot or cold. You wont be disappointed unless your tastebuds are off