I USED to love Chamblins. Until yesterday. I bought some movies from the. Downtown location. One of them didn't work. Halfway into the movie to the end none of the scenes played. I tried it from a couple different players too. To make sure it was the movie not the player. I found heat damage warping spots on the DVD. They charge $4 a movie for even the scratchiest looking DVD. They claim to test all of their movies, but that's a lie. Buy at your own risk. If you try to return anything that doesn't work, you will be called a liar and insinuated that you are a thief trying to run a scam. The crazy, old, red head manager named JENNIFER at the downtown location practically shoved the sweet girl that was waiting on me, out of her way. I was trading in the heat warped movie, for a copy of the same movie that worked. The sweet girl was checking the scenes to make sure it worked so I don't go home with another bad movie. The woman is nuts!!! She gave me a nasty look and said we don't have time for this. And took the movie out. After the sweet girl n I waited for the psycho manager Jennifer to get out of the way. The girl put the DVD back in the player to finish testing it. The psycho took it out of the player again. She said I don't know what you are trying to do here, but we don't have time for this. I said what are you talking about? I'm trading in a defective movie for the same movie that works. She said you were just in here last week trading in a bunch of movies that don't work. That was Lie#1. I don't have a car. I was stuck home all last week. I was in 3 weeks ago where I returned one movie that don't work and bought several other movies while I was there. At $4 each. The brand new copy of Amazing Spiderman was $8 cause it was new shrink wrapped, unopened. When I bought those movies, it was a tall, skinny brunette young man that waited on me. Nice guy. Not the old psycho red haired Dragont lady. The woman took the heat damaged movie put it in the case, without closing it and LITERALLY threw it across the counter behind her where it fell to the floor. She insinuated I was running a scam of what type I don't know, since I was following standard protocol with receipt in hand, that you would do at any retail store in this country. She also threatened to call the police if I didn't leave. I said call them cause I didn't do anything. You're the one throwing things , shouting and cussing like an insane person. I asked the other 2 girls there if she was always like that they said yes. Then I tried to speak to the OWNER RON CHAMBLIN about her behavior. He said he'd call me back. He never did. I called today twicetrying to speak to him, and he said it was harassment and if I called again I would be banned from both locations. This is nuts!!!! I used to love chamblins for their selection. You can find a lot of great stuff if you have centuries to hunt for it. They are extremely dusty and disorganized. And don't expect them to give you any help, other then pointing you in a general direction. But the labyrinth of books used to be part of the fun for me. Even with my dust allergy. But now I don't think I ever want to go back. Their books marked half price are good deals for books in good shape. But they have the same half cover price books that are raggedy n beat up. So most books are overpriced for their condition. And they say they chack the she's. BULLCRAP!!!! They sell scratched up craps for $4 and treat you like a con artist if u try to return anything that doesn't work. I give them negeative 10 stars. That's (-10)!!! On customer service, return policy, and cleanliness. I give them 1 star for the few books that are priced correctly, and for their enormous selection of you have a century to look through the labyrinth of dust to find what you want. Good Luck. Just remember if something doesnt work when you bought it, it's all your fault, cause you are a con artist for trying to return defective merchandise with a receipt, even if you're only asking for an exchange for a working copy of the same movie. I think I will stick to eBay n Amazon, and the flea market. Then I don't have to deal with such bad service, and jerks that shouldn't be running a business, cause they don't give a crap about their customers. Shipping would be a small price to pay for not even seeing the ugly red haired old hag manager ever again. read more

Since I work around the corner on Adams St. This location is very convenient. On my first day at my job this was where my boss took me for lunch. I have been going back ever since. For breakfast their breakfast wrap is very good, a little on the spicy side though but you can ask for no hot sauce. I usually get a bagel and cream cheese and either hot coffee or their wonderful Hot spiced cider. Lunchtime: I absolutely ADORE their Spinach and Bean Soup. It is the best I have ever had. I call just to see if they have it and make a point to get some for lunch and dinner! I have had a few of their sandwiches. The BLT wrap is my favorite. It's dark green leafy spinach, with tomato, thick bacon and mayo on a tomato basil tortilla. The Turkey Chutney sandwich is second. It's like Thanksgiving on a croissant. The Roast beef wrap is another great one with nice dark salad mix, roast beef, tomato, onions and a spicy horseradish sauce (I think not sure about the sauce I just love it). They have a seasonal salad in the fall that I love that has mixed greens, apples, pecans, blue cheese and raspberry vinegarette. I wish it was a year round menu item!! When I have my 2 daughters with me they ask to go here for lunch. They love the food and to browse the books. We haven't gone to the second floor yet because I know that the Japanese books are up there and I'd never get them to leave if they knew. All the coffee is organic and it's "fair trade," meaning it was purchased from independent growers. They have lots of flavors to choose from and if you don't see one you like they have flavored syrups you can add. If you bring in your own coffee cup it's discounted. An awesome option that I wish more places had. The café offers homemade cookies and dessert items by Let Them Eat Cake! As a baker myself most of the selections are pretty good. The cake part of the cupcakes are kind of dry but the icings are fantastic. My favorite is the German Chocolate. The chocolate ganache is really really good and the creamy coconut and pecan part is perfect. Their snickerdoodles are also a really good choice. They are located near the Main Library and Museum of Contemporary Art. BUT there is another cafe on the corner before you get to Chamblin. read more

My favorite place in Jacksonville, hands down. Sure, there's a cute little café at the front where you can grab a coffee or pastry, but the real reason to come here is the books. Rows and rows of them. This place is a labyrinth of stories, genres, and eras -- it feels like you could get lost for hours and still not see everything. They've got books in every category imaginable, from vintage science fiction to poetry, cookbooks, philosophy, rare finds, and even shelves with foreign-language titles. You'll always stumble across something you weren't looking for but suddenly need. The buy/sell/trade system is genuinely fair. They offer solid trade-in credit, and even if you opt for cash, it's still generous -- half the trade-in value, which is more than reasonable. And unlike some other secondhand spots (looking at you, Plato's Closet), they're super chill and take most books as long as they're in decent condition. No judgment, no weird gatekeeping. There's a little section with board games too, and the space itself is such a vibe -- perfect for study sessions, first dates, or just wandering solo. It's also a go-to photo spot for grad pics and general artsy content. Think worn wood floors, towering shelves, hidden corners, and a cozy, lived-in atmosphere that feels like home to any book lover. Staff is always kind, low-key, and helpful without being pushy. They just let you browse and vibe. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this place is a must. Chamblin's is more than a bookstore -- it's a community treasure. Support it, love it, and don't be surprised when you start coming back every weekend. read more

There isn't a nicer , cheaper or more comfortable place for a person that loves books to buy books. All kinds of books. I went to Chamblin bookmine for at least 6 years before I ever bought a book, just spending time talking to the the owner and his good staff learning all kinds of things about local business. This place is a model of how all business should be run. They haven't been run off by all the big book stores nor are they scared. People all over the united stated literally know about Chamblins. It is a part of Jacksonville. read more

Been coming here for years since they have such great jalapeño bagels. I tip and am always very friendly, but no matter what staff is here, no one is the least bit friendly. Girl came to bring food to my table and just put it down without a word, smile or anything, even after I said thank you. I keep coming for the food but really wish they'd hire friendlier people instead of the typical stuck up hipster better than you, type. read more

OMG I love this place! I was on a vacation with my son when I found this slice of heaven! I was able to find a few books that I didn't know I was looking for. :) The staff was helpful and friendly. This will be a place I visit every time I go to Jacksonville! read more

All I can say is WOW! My friend and I split the beet and feta cheese appetitzers, a small kale salad, and peanut butter pie. Everything was fabulous! This is a restaurant I could and will return to many more times in the future. WOW. read more

if it weren't for the bookstore, I wouldn't even step in the door. the coffee gave me heartburn and the staff are too busy to be bothered = RUDE. read more

I love this book store... You can buy a few books... You can sell a few books. Great book / coffee shop in jacksonville, FL...

Yumm. Simple, fresh ingredients. Soups too! read more

nice in cozy has great selection of books

I felt like it was dirty and run down.