I am a sucker for old buildings and books, so when The Book Barn popped up on my Instagram feed, I knew I had to make the trip. Walking into a centuries-old barn with books stacked from floor to ceiling feels like stepping into another era. Prices are incredibly reasonable, and if you wander all the way to the back, you'll discover a clothing shop and a room full of housewares. I found shelves of delicate china and vintage dinnerware at prices that made me do a double take. My only real complaint is that Saturday mornings are busy. Because everything is donated, this isn't the place to hunt for the newest bestseller. It's where you come for the experience, the possibility of stumbling across something unexpected, and the thrill of finding a great deal on a forgotten gem. I have a feeling this place is going to be even more magical in the fall. I'll definitely be back. read more

Book Barn - Denville - Thrift Stores Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

First of all, please remember that this place is run by volunteers and it's a thrift store, so you are the one looking for good finds aka treasures. You probably won't find the newest books (unless you have good timing of someone just dropping them off at that exact moment). And, yes, you have to dig through stacks and racks, but isn't that what you would expect from a thrifting place? And someone wrote that things were "picked over." It seems like the volunteers are trying their best to put everything out as things are donated and it's all about timing of when you're there. It also depends on season. For example, the gardening book section was full but I was told that during the spring, it becomes pretty bare quickly because everyone starts gardening again. Probably the same for the Christmas section in December. What they have depends on simply what they have. And if some volunteers are getting first dibs for some things, that is definitely an incentive to be a volunteer here because especially during December, they are sorting through boxes and boxes in the cold. I bet when people donate things, not everything is organized or super clean or in the best condition. I do have to share from the beginning that ALL of the volunteers there are soooooooooooo lovely, sweet, helpful, and so happy to be there and to help you. They are the prime examples of great volunteers! One of them, Sue, actually offered to give me a tour and gave me a lot of great information about this place and showed me all the different sections. All books are divided by genre (all possible genre can be found here) and it's kind of fun walking through the maze of books and shelves to check out all the different books. Thank goodness for cell phones because I lost my friend a few times. All the books are donated from people, so again, don't expect the newest books but they have so many books by famous and well-known authors. While I was there, they had a cart with books that were just donated but they didn't sort it yet and I saw that they had Pachinko, which is still currently a popular book. Also, their children's section is so cute! They also have: -games -puzzles -toys -records -CDs (yes, CDs!!) -DVDs (yes, DVDs!!) -random electronics, like a stereo with a tape player and CD player. And a printer! -a room perfect for teachers looking for textbooks or teaching material. -test prep books, they might have them. Not sure how outdated the prep books are depending on which ones you are looking for. You really pay so little for books (25 cents to $5 to some things that have specific prices) and for other items ($2-$10 or more depending on the item). Also, they have a section that is a thrift store of -clothes -bags -shoes -jewelry -random home items, like kitchen items (I wanted so many things from here but I didn't "need" them -crafting items (someone bought a huge handful of knitting needles for $12) -Christmas items -fancy China and glass items -luggage -just so many things other than books My friend and I spent over an hour here, just exploring. If you are a true book lover, you could probably spend hours just peruse through your favorite book genre sections. If I was by myself, I could've stayed there longer just looking at all the fiction books they had. Also, here are some interesting things I learned from the lovely Sue. -All the proceeds they make go to local charities. Literally those in their communities, not national ones. -You can donate, too! I think pretty much anything as long as it's in good condition. I need to go back and donate my printer and teacher materials. FYI, you can only donate 3 boxes at a time. This way, you're not bringing a truckload of stuff and just dumping it on them. -When you donate, the volunteers will start sorting as they come in. Things to know before you go: -There's a private parking lot! Yay! I love it when there is parking. -It's a maze and tight in there, so be ready to say a lot of "excuse me" and be patient as you squeeze past people. -If you want to pay with a card, there's a minimum of $10. No taxes. -Please go with an open mind. Think of it as treasure hunting. And, for books, you might find a book that you would never thought of reading. -I was told that you had to pay for books before going to the thrift store section, but I saw some people paying for books at the thrift store section. So, I guess it depends on who you ask. -I don't know how it is in the warmer months, but it was super cold in certain sections. So dress warm if it's cold. But at the same time, try to avoid bulky clothing because, remember maze and tight spaces?, but also when you are in the thrift store, there are a lot of fragile items, so bulky clothing might not be the best thing to wear? read more

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Book Barn was a nice visit. It's NOT a Barnes & Noble, but it has books, magazines, and rows of many selections. I noticed staff members, consistently working on returning books to their proper section and/or answering customer questions. If you dedicate a good amount of time to peruse Book Barn, I'm certain that you'll find something that will pique your interest, will not be expensive, and will satisfy your printed wishes. read more

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As a nearby resident, I am at the Book Barn at least half a dozen times per year. I always find the volunteers to be both pleasant and helpful. I always find multiple books to buy: $2 for paperbacks, $3 for hard cover--can't beat that! After my honey and I have read a book, we donate them back to the Book Barn--saves piling up and they can give the additional money to local charities when these books are sold again! I am also a Shakespeare aficionado and have always found copies of the next play that my senior center's Shakespeare Group is studying! read more

Love this place. It's huge, they have SO MANY BOOKS and they're all like $2. This place isn't going to be all neat and pretty like a big box store, but you'll never find anything as cheap at a box store. They also have a huge room full of board games and in the back there's some audio stuff too. read more

Books are reasonable priced. Love that they categorize the books. Need to spend $10 to use a credit card. read more

Such a great place! Great selection, very reasonably priced books and the volunteers are so nice and helpful. I'll be back!

It's quite ironic that this place is right across from the hospital considering my experience. Despite a sign outside that says "no pets. only service animals allowed", this is not the case. In fact, the worker told me "no dogs allowed". period. when i tried to explain that under the ADA, he was required to allow service dogs, he quipped back with "i'm not having this argument with you. just get out". and said it was for "safety" reasons. Well, if they're so concerned about their customers' safety, i guess those with disabilities aren't included. If you're looking for a spot to find used books, please drive the 10 extra minutes down the road to "Gingerbread Bookshop" on Main Street in Boonton. They are only open Fridays and Saturdays and have a smaller selection, but the owners are lovely and it is a much nicer environment. read more

I think all the books are great! I brought some in and bought a few to take home. The people working there are very nice too. Now I'm thinking about volunteering. read more

Absolutely the best place for used books with wonderful volunteers, a huge selection of books and DVDs, CDs and such good pricing! Worth the visit. I have gotten almost brand-new hardback books for $2 and there are literally thousands of volumes in their very organized space. A wonderful place in which to relax, donate your books to and all funds go to worthy local charities! read more

Thrift books. All genres. Moderately priced. People are friendly and helpful. Could use better lighting. Brighter lighting for reading book titles. read more

Took a trip to @bookbarn_nj today :) This place is AMAZING! All the workers are volunteers and are truly happy, engaging & extremely helpful. From the second I walked in, Ken gave me a tour of the barn. During my walk through, he expressed his passion of reading, especially for Historical Fiction. His late wife enjoyed romance. The barn has more than just books: puzzles, games, music of all kinds even an adjoining thrift shop from clothes to crystal wear. Such an enjoyable first experience! Thank you - @titles_and_treats read more

Book Barn - Denville - Children's books - Thrift Stores Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

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Anyone who comes here seeking books for resale will likely be bitterly disappointed. I came as a reader, not a reseller, but out of curiosity I did evaluate a representative sampling of the inventory through the latter lens, and it was so thoroughly "picked over" as to suggest that management is either allowing "early access" to a third-party reseller or is culling all the potentially profitable donated books for themselves. That is, the only books to be found at the Book Barn seem to be those which couldn't possibly be sold online without taking a significant net loss after shipping and fees. Whatever proportion of donated books, say somewhere between 5 and 20 percent, that someone could hypothetically "flip" online and profit even twenty-five cents per book for their labor (and reselling does require a significant amount of it), simply do not appear to be offered for sale to the public. There's nothing inherently unethical about this model; Running a bookstore, even part-time, is also real work, and I know of several similar shops that compensate volunteers or staff or management by giving them "first pick" of the donated books (although those involved typically refrain from taking *everything* with any resale value). The key difference is *transparency*. If you're going to do this, be open about it. Resellers are customers too, and generally spend far more than anyone else, and at a charity shop, that means MUCH more money going to charity. If all resellable books are being sold privately online, and that revenue isn't going directly back to the store, this means that the vast majority of the revenue generated by donor generosity is NOT going to charity as donors are led to believe. Again, even if management is, in fact, culling all the profitable books and keeping those profits for themselves, it's not inherently unethical. But absent transparency about the practice, it's not a good look. NOTE: There is now apparently a "no scanning" rule in effect at the Book Barn, and my own visits occurred before this was in place. The website cites poor behavior by some resellers as the reason for the ban, and it's important to acknowledge that some resellers DO behave badly (making a mess, etc), but that is peripheral to my points here. I'm glad this place exists and it's still a great resource for the casual reader, but I feel like the lack of transparency about these "culling" practices is a disservice to customers and donors alike. read more

Book Barn and the Thrift Area are so much fun. Problem is parking. Their is no way to park safely. Especially if you have a handicapped person. The paralell parking in the front is too near the enterance exit ramps to the street. But i will say great selection. YOu do have to remind them of prices. and bring your own bags. read more

A great find for book nerds! Rooms upon rooms of used books of all subject matters, and run by volunteers who are friendly and helpful. They prefer cash, and with the low prices on the items, that shouldn't be a problem. read more

Great place. Donate books, Xmas items and about anything else. Staff are all very friendly volunteers. What a pleasant re to deal with them. All proceeds go to a variety of charities! read more

This place was so much fun! I've been twice thus far and the only problem has been not being able to get there early enough to have enough time to explore the shelves! definitely devote at least two hours especially if you come to look at the books. So many books! plus smaller but very nice sections of clothes, dining wear, antiques and more. Staff were beyond friendly. P.S. I didn't realize it's two different vendors in the building, so make sure you pay separately from each section. I've noticed the book store staff are noticeably grumpier then those staff volunteers in the other section, lol. read more

This place is a book lover's dream. Imagine walking into a building filled with books, sometimes literally piled on top of one another, waiting for you to discover them. Things you should know before you go: 1) it is 100% volunteer run. The staff are all unpaid.They dedicate their time because they care about their community. They work hard for nothing more than your patience, a smile and hopefully a thank you when you leave. I've never had a bad experience with any of them in the 7 years I've shopped here. Take a minute to say hi. This is a small town and people are generally pretty friendly. 2) all of the materials are donations. Hundreds of books, albums, etc. are donated weekly. Some may be pristine; most will not be. The volunteers work hard to keep things orderly, but it's a big task, in a big building, run by a small staff. Don't expect it to be perfectly organized, alphabetized and stocked with every book you ever wanted. It is an adventure. Books are loosely organized but plan to take time finding your treasures. Rather than each book being priced individually there is a general price list posted. If you want a new book, delivered to your door, this isn't the experience for you. 3) the building is old. That's part of the charm. The aisles are narrow, the floors are uneven. Some sections of the store are overheated; others are chilly. There are delightful alcoves and bins packed with books rather than sterile rows of neatly arranged shelves. This isn't Barnes and Noble. 4) bring cash just in case the card reader isn't working. Like the building, some of the tech is aging. Don't let yourself be disappointed because there might be an issue with something as minor as the method of payment. Nothing here is expensive. You can leave with a stack of books for $20. Just stop at an ATM before coming or get cash back with a purchase somewhere else. The volunteers here do their best to keep everything up and running, but don't blame them if there is an occasional setback. And please bring your own bags - this has been the law in NJ for the past several years. 5) lastly, you can park in the large lot opposite the hospital. You don't need to try to park along the driveway in front of the building. There are usually plenty of spaces and it is free. This is a local charity, supported by the community, staffed by volunteers. Come for the books. Come for the bargains. Stay for the people. Take your time. Enjoy the experience and when you're done go explore Denville's other stores, restaurants, coffee shops or local brewery. read more

Book Barn - Denville - Price list as of fall 2024 - Thrift Stores Near Me - Denville, New Jersey

Phenomenal charity with the most polite and caring volunteers. They do amazing to help the local community. We are very fortunate to have a place to buy from and donate to. This place is ten star with cleanliness and organization. Visit often. Inventory changes as donations flow in. read more

Love, loved this gem. I am somewhat of a cookbook hoarder (ok maybe not a hoarder- you wouldn't find me on a tv show) but I love cookbooks! Also grabbed some great travel books for Italy. You could spend an entire day here and still want to come back. Have you been here? Are you a bibliophile!? Do yourself a favor. Come here. What ever you might fancy - trust me: it can be found here. (All hardcover: -$2, mixed media books: $1, paperbacks: .50. Bring a big bag. You will fill it up. read more

Very cool shop that I finally got to visit. Huge variety of books, I was so overwhelmed, next time I'm coming with a list of books I'm looking to read since everything here is well organized and alphabetical. The thrift shop that is attached is super cheap too. They also take credit cards which is a plus! read more

This was my first time at the Book Barn. They had a good selection, but I have never run into so many RUDE volunteers in a thrift store EVER. It started on arrival when a group of friends who made the trip for the 1/2 price Christmas sale were standing beside their vehicles (3 of them). The first volunteer wanted to know why we had parked the way we did. Like every other parking lot that has cement bumpers, we were all parked head on or backed up. She chastised us because that's not how you're supposed to park there. You're supposed to park parallel to them, which covered at least 3 of the bumpers. Then when we were let in and headed toward the Christmas area way in the back, we were met with a nasty, nasty volunteer who told us we had to back up and wait until 9:00 (opening time). It was literally 8:59 AM. By the time we backed up, their own clock was showing 9:01. On checkout, a volunteer told me that she didn't want to deal with $0.50 for $1.00 items. So I was charged $2 for 2 items instead of $1 (remember, it was half off Christmas items). Then I had a craft kit of a Santa Claus, which I had picked up in the Christmas area. She tried to charge me full price because it "should have been" in the craft area. She relented and acted as if she had done me a favor. I know some of our other friends encountered additional rudeness from the volunteers. There was NO reason for this. I, for one, will never return to this place. Speaking with my friends, I don't think they will be either. Shameful. read more

I was there for 2 hours and I felt like I just scratched the surface. The place is full of books from one end to the other! There is a huge variety, and you can't beat the prices. I found a lot new books and a mix of oldie ones. The place is in a barn, but in amazing shape for its age! One of my favorite spots to roam ! The staff is super friendly, and will always be there to help you with anything you need! read more

I will keep it very simple. This place is 100% volunteer and they have a list of charities they donate to. Truly kind-hearted people with one goal in mind and that is to help the community. read more

Great selection, great prices. Volunteers are polite and helpful! Tons of items to choose from. Could spend all day there!

An employee named George allows his friends to go through all the new merchandise BEFORE anyone else is permitted to look. George actually stands guard and if any stranger approaches the new merchandise he yells at them to step away ... while his friends are digging through boxes a couple feet away. When he was directly questioned about his discriminatory behavior, he lied, claiming his friends were actually "employees". I actually had known one of George's friends for 20 years and he had NEVER been an employee at the Book Barn. I talked to this man five minutes after George had claimed he was an "employee" and we both laughed about how brazenly discriminatory George was behaving. George's other friend is an Amazon book re-seller who spends hours scanning and purchasing books every week. She's certainly not an employee. I am not upset with George's friends; I just do not believe in discrimination. All of the other workers -- all volunteers, by the way -- at the Book Barn are helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. It's an extreme tragedy that one veteran employee, George, is able to cast such a dark shadow upon the entire establishment ... while funneling the best items to his friends. read more

Well- it's a barn complex filled with various collectibles. The back part of the complex has a good deal of books. Many volunteers run this place. Be prepared to step aside for walkers and wheelchairs as the pathways are quite narrow. On the upside, the books are in great shape. The prices are the best I've seen. This place is worth it if you like old books. Don't expect rare finds. But you will likely find something worth your time here, at the best prices I've seen in NJ. read more

This was my first time at the book barn. Great stuff reasonably priced. Tons of great books. Definitely going back.

The Book Barn is a tremendous place, books, clothing, and household goods galore. The downside - outside of the books the rooms with Christmas, household, games, and toys - just a massive jumble without a program to effectively keep it organized. The person who had done so left - now ??? it may revert back to a state of disorganization in a short amount of time. read more

Omg you will love this place! You will need an hour, it's enormous n oh so exciting! There's not just books-

First visit today... omg I love this store. All their profits go to charity!! Super friendly

Best area secret. You have kids that like to or should read? Very good used book price. I always find something. Found old and new books on trees, gardening, plumbing, fix stuff at home, how things work, a few CD 's and DVD's..... Like the fact that people like me donate good books as I down size. Some books out of print. Get just what I need from huge selection. Wish I could trade in my old books but they raise money. Still, price is way below original - think because they have so so many donations and little room. I Go to doc in adjacent buildings. Staff there don't even know the bargain. read more

One of my favorite book/thrift store! Truly a hidden gem. They have any kind of genera your looking for and at great prices!

The Book Barn is run by Saint Clares Hospital and all proceeds go to benefit Saint Clares Hospital Auxiliary. The fact that is is charity run means that it is entirely staffed by volunteers, and has odd hours- the location is only open 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Given that it is a charity one can also donate books when they stop by if they so wish, but the limit is two bags or boxes per family. Other policies of note is that the Book Barn has gone green, and one should bring their own bags with them, and that the establishment is cash only (although the prices make this more than a moot point). The staff is made up of volunteers, but all are extremely nice and willing to help. Sometimes the volunteer staff is stretched rather thin, but that is by no means a criticism against them, but it can impact their ability to serve. The location is right outside of downtown Denville and is a rather large barn like structure that has been given over to used books (the other section of the building called the Bargain Barn is a thrift store). Overall the building the section of the building that contains the book barn is quite large, as is the overflowing collection of books it contains. The location itself does have several issues given the result that it is an old building and therefore has no central air or heat, so in the summer it can get hot and in the winter it can get cold. Please note that this does not adversely effect the condition of the books. I mean I would not pay top dollar for an antique book at this location, but that is not the primary reason anyone is going to stop by this particular used book store. One stops by the Book Barn for a great selection at amazing prices (price chart below). The book selection itself is quite nice, and is constantly being injected with new life given all the charitable donations. All books are well organized with the main section of the building being devoted to mainstream books and literature, one large attached room devoted to the children's collection, and two smaller back rooms devoted to Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror, and Poetry/Short Stories/Plays respectively. It is highly doubtful that you will leave this place empty handed even if you do not find exactly what you were looking for. A small selection of DVD's and CD's can also be found in the main room, but it is truly hit or miss. The pricing in general is great: Nigh New Hard Covers = $2.00 Older Hard Covers = $1.00 Trade Sized Paperbacks = $1.00 Mass Market Paperbacks = $0.50 CD's & DVD's - $1.00 & up Occasionally you may run into a title that is priced otherwise for some reason, but the prices above generally stand. There is also a selection of Antique, Collector, Gift, and Coffee Table books which are priced as marked. It should also be noted that prices are NOT negotiable, so if it is marked higher than you'd like to pay (probably not, but...) let it lie. Overall if you find yourself wanting to visit a great used book store and happen to be passing through or within driving distance of Denville then I would definitely recommend stopping by The Book Barn, you will not be disappointed in the least, as it is a great opportunity to get some book treasures for you and be charitable at the same time. Just remember they are cash only, and only open on Tuesdays and Satrudays (9 to 1)! Also remember it is an older structure with no heating or air conditioning, so mind the temperature the day you go. read more

Favorite place to shop for books. You can get lost in the treasure hunt. The prices are excellent but the atmosphere alone is worth the trip. read more

Amazing place to buy books! Went to get baby board books to build a library at home and there were shelves full of gently used books, including childrens' classics like Clifford, Sesame Street, Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, and more. Got a whole canvas bag full for $7 ($5 for all the books you can fit into it, $2 for the bag, included $10 coupon for the thrift store next door) - which was an even better deal than a library book sale I went to last week. Any teachers looking to build a classroom library, or parents looking to build one at home - THIS is the place to do it affordably. The children's room had books sorted by reading levels it looked like and included picture books, YA, holiday themed books for Halloween, and so much more. I was honestly so impressed! The volunteers were super helpful and very welcoming and nice. Had a great experience! read more

Great place to buy all different types of books. It is a veritable book wonderland. Some of the genres that they carry are classics, drama, sci-fi, children's books, modern detective novels, romance, and they even boast a few shelves of the same in a variety of foreign languages like Polish, Dutch, German, Chinese, French, and Spanish. The books range in age, some that I have bought from here are over 50-60 years old and some are like new, and condition, I bought a beat up copy of Sabriel, but also excellently preserved copies of Pendle Hill series books from the 1950s. The books are also extremely cheap, you can buy over a year's supply of books for under $40. The Book Barn is huge and not only has a large book shop, but a second hand clothing store, jewelry, antiques, and a section dedicated to things for children. Nearly impossible to leave without finding what you want, the Book Barn is hidden gem of the area and a most stop for any local book lover or antique aficionado. read more

I have been going here for years and recently heard a rumor that the Book Barn will be closing at some point due to the property being sold. Is this true? It would be a crying shame with so few reasonably priced book stores in the area. Thanks for your reply to this e-mail.... arl40@optonline.net read more

This is definitely my favorite used bookstore. The prices are just wonderful (see other review), the staff is cheery and helpful (all volunteers), and it is for a good cause (all proceeds go towards the hospital)! Whats not to like? A few recent improvements have been made too! The building now has heat (hoo-ray no more shuffling through books in bulky gloves!) and is open on Thursday from 9-5. Be sure to bring a bag for all the books you are going to buy and some cash. Great place to find the classics for school as well as a wide variety of other things. When i first discovered it I found myself going back every other week. read more

Great assortment of books, games, household items, and clothes. Pretty much everything under one roof.