What a great shop! Incredibly welcoming and friendly staff, passionate about books and filled with recommendations (both from the employees to you, and a considerable number of tags through the store). You can feel their passion for the medium, and were we local, I could see us being regulars. Highest possible recommendation. read more

Great bookstore downtown! The staff were friendly and helpful. A ton of selection of both books and small gift items. The price point on everything was reasonable. read more

I absolutely love this local bookstore. It's so stunning and located in Shockoe Slip. It feels very Richmond with all the brick buildings and cobblestone streets. I usually take the bus when visiting, but there is street parking out front and nearby. This tiny bookstore has everything from books to small gifts. They carry most well-known trending books as well as fun local or independent finds. I haven't done it before, but it seems if they don't have a book in stock, you can order it through them. The prices are what you'd expect for a bookstore. On a recent trip, I was looking for a cookbook to get my friend for his birthday. There were specific ones he wanted. After hunting through their wonderful collection and having no luck, I asked someone who worked there. They were extremely kind and helpful. Although they didn't carry those specific cookbooks, they did give me recs for similar ones. I had a different question later and asked someone else who was equally as kind and helpful. I highly recommend visiting this bookstore. Although it is on the smaller side, there is a lot to explore. You will definitely leave feeling inspired to read more. read more

I love unexpectedly stumbling upon a cute bookstore, and Fountain Bookstore has been one of the cutest ones I've come across yet. It's such a cozy space with so, so much product. The staff's friendly and helpful without making you feel pressured to make a purchase. They're really up to date with their stock, and I'm grateful that they were upfront with some of the book sleeves being messed up from a rough transport (frankly, they've got high expectations because the sleeves were barely imperfect). It's definitely a must-visit for whenever I'm back in town, especially given its picturesque location! read more

Fountain Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

There's a fountain of knowledge and entertainment inside these rustic walls!! Shelves of fascinating books on almost every subject! This downtown bookstore is nestled amid restaurants and shops along the cobblestone streets of Shockhoe Slip. If you're a local Richmonder, you've got to check out this iconic bookstore in the heart of RVA! If you're a bibliophile like me, you will love perusing the aisles allowing the volumes to speak to you! Hopefully you'll find a few books to keep your grey matter engaged! New and gently loved books await you here at this wonderful book shop that adds a quaint, personable dash that you won't find at a Big Box store (although I do also love B&N... shhh!) In your quest, you make also find unusual books and even books by local authors! I've even written two books of sonnets (I love poetry) that they carry in their inventory!! So of course, I've got to give them props! read more

Fountain Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Bookstores with creaky floors are the best. Fun atmosphere, decent selection (heavy emphasis on local Virginia and fiction), lots to look at. I'd come back! read more

Fountain Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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"Now here's one you might like," Kelly said, handing me a copy of "Embers of the Hands." "It's about Vikings." I thought, "what do I know about Vikings?" but on the strength of her recommendation bought it. This turned out to be a wonderful suggestion and a hell of a good book. It is one of the very few that I am tempted to simply start at the beginning and read it again. This is very rare. All of which is to say that this is a wonderful bookstore and well worth a visit and probably not surprisingly, they sold me a wonderful book. . Kelly and her staff are kind and friendly and the new space is delightful. Like that book about Vikings, the Fountain Bookstore is highly, highly recommended. read more

Amazing little bookstore! Cute finds all around - love the input from the folks that work there. A must!

An absolute pleasure and a must to visit regardless of if you live local or are just visiting Richmond. The staff was not only pleasant but extremely knowledgeable and I wish that I lived a lot closer! read more

Fountain Bookstore - Inside bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Oh boy did this indie bookstore deliver! Nestled off of a cobblestone road, this quaint, charming and quite magical piece of history real estate is a must see! I met a fellow book lover while shopping and was invited to a virtual book club! Everyone was so sweet and you could tell that they ate, slept, and breathed all things books! I will definitely be back! read more

Fountain Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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A great local bookshop I like going there for the look and smell of it it's very quaint. They also have author talks which are nice and a selection of books by local authors read more

We love this bookstore. It is a wonderful little store. And you may special order books. It is a small independent bookstore so please shop there. Keep the independent stores open. With a wheelchair you can not just roll in. There is one step. My spouse gets me in but it is a bit of work. And there is uneven floors. So it is difficult inside as well. Still I love books and it is a good one. read more

This was a super cute store with a wide variety of books, definitely a fun place to go to.

Friendly service, interesting selection of books. They seem to put a lot of emphasis on social justice type books in particular. Wish the selection was a little bigger but then again it's a small, used bookstore. I love places like this and so I was perfectly happy just to browse. I'll definitely be back in the future to see if they got anything new in stock. read more

Perfect indie bookstore with an awesome selection! They host lots of events too, highly recommend!

Steven King is quoted as saying, "Books are a uniquely portable magic," and there is truly much magic to be found in Fountain Bookstore. Out for a walk to explore and take a break I spotted this small haven. I crossed the street hurriedly as if the store would disappear before my eyes. Upon entering, it was much like any other bookstore until I began looking at the offerings. "Oh, that looks good," and "I'll come back to grab that," and "An entire section on that topic?" **Insert mind blown** At this point I knew I was doomed, and that I would never be able to purchase (and fit in my luggage) every book I desired. It was at this moment that I began plotting out future visits. I took a deep breath, focused, and picked out three books that immediately called to me (along with a couple of cards, and who doesn't need a pair of socks that say, "F*** off, I'm reading!"). The staff was truly friendly, but not breathing down your neck with the, "Is there anything I can help you with?" The shop is quaint, well organized, and really packs a punch with its offerings. I've never seen so much of interest in such a small space. The larger book stores have much more space, and books that are not quite as interesting (or they're just more difficult to find). I love that there are little knickknacks and fun tidbits/gifts scattered through the store. It's the perfect spot to look for your next bit of portable magic. read more

a small bookstore with so much charm. i literally wanted to buy everything. it's so quaint. i can't wait to come back!

Excellent selection of great literature that you won't see at big box stores. Staff is super-helpful and friendly. Fun gifts and cards at the front. read more

On a day of rain and overcast most want to curl up and indulge in a masterpiece of a great book. On my way to the hotel I am found this gem and decided to walk in. It is filled to the max with books of every genre. The employee picks are noted with a little synopsis. Signed copies are also noted. The staff was welcoming and busy restocking. Oh to explore you bound to find something on you list. read more

Cute little shop with stickers and work from locals! Love how they curate different sections. Definitely more unique picks read more

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Stopped by on my break today to visit this bookstore. Customer service must have gotten stolen from them before I got there. Not one clerk greeted me nor asked if I needed help. Seeing this is a cute and small bookstore you would think someone would have offered assistance. The manager was too busy talking to staff about someone who didn't show up for an interview. The clerk was busy placing an order for a book. The manager is happy she hired those two clerks because the person didn't respond back to her request for a zoom call nor came in for the interview. In which a clerk gave a recommendation to do a courtesy call. I felt like I was invisible. I walked around for about 25 minutes, I was the only customer in the store. Two clerks and a manager just speaking amongst themselves. I'll stick to the other bookstores around Richmond. They probably had the book I was looking for but I decided that since I was invisible I shouldn't purchase from this establishment. Thank you so much for the experience -Casper read more

Really cute bookstore with an amazing selection of books you can't find at Barnes and Noble. Loved how friendly everyone who worked there was and how nice they were to answer any questions we had! Definitely worth the visit and can't wait to come back as they had lots of books I want to read soon! read more

Fountain Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Something rare happened today. I actually got a 2 hour parking spot right in front of Urban Farmhouse... at 1pm in the afternoon. The parking gods must have really been watching over me because the odds of that happening during a week day lunch hour are about the same as the odds of seeing a shooting star. So, after spending about an hour in Shockoe Espresso and Roastery, I found myself with a whole extra hour to spare on a warm sunny day in Shockoe Bottom. What did I do? Go to Fountain Bookstore! I had been here before, but never had a good chunk of time to wander through. A bonus for today is that I was by myself. Ya'll know that sometimes when you're with other people, you can't really spend a lot of time meandering through book stores, especially if they're not into it. Meander I did. I loved the personal touches in this store and how the staff has a special shelf for their recommended books. Most of them looked super appetizing and I even took note of one that I plan to read! While I was in there, I was hoping that they had Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton book and they did! I sat there and had a great time reading it in the peace and quiet of the bookstore. The card section is also to die for! I live for super cute artisan made cards and I found quite a few that I want to come back and get to give loved ones for some upcoming life events! read more

Fountain Bookstore - One of the books from their suggested reading section! - Bookstores Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

A friend gave me a gift card to this lovely little bookstore but I did not make it before COVID-19. I know that my friends know that I love quirky little places so I was excited to go here. In an effort to support local businesses during this time I decided to dig it out and make a online purchase. It was super easy to use the site and I knew exactly what I wanted. It wasn't the purchase that made me fall in love with this place it was the love note (the personal touch) that was added to my order. I got an email not just thanking me for my purchase but talked about the the author. It was like chatting with a friend. They also updated me that my books would be coming from another source and that it may take a little longer (it did not it arrived two days afterwards). It was the personal touch that really made me love this place. I cannot wait for things to die down so that I can visit these amazing people. read more

What a cute, local bookstore you should definitely check out if you're in downtown Richmond. They have a nice selection of new and used books, greeting cards, and other novelty items. The staff are friendly and helpful, offering book suggestions if you want or need them. I will definitely be back when I'm in the area! read more

Wonderful, well curated little book store downtown. It's small, but the selection is perfect, with what seems like half the books in there have a well written staff review/recommend tab hanging out of them. The staff working there were helpful, and seemed to have read them all. Their kids book selection was particularly good--I don't have children, but almost wish I did after after looking over the kids books and toys. I went to a dive bar up the street after though, and the feeling passed. read more

This how real bookstores should be! You get to meet authors, get books signed, the staff are really knowledgeable and well-read and give you recommendations based on your preferences, you can join book clubs, and they have a collection of really snarky socks. Go indie bookstores all the way! read more

This is a fantastic locally owned bookstore. Their selection is well curated, with lots of staff recommendations, local authors, signed copies and non-book gifts. They've also got really cute greeting cards and a book club. Definitely stop in! read more

I happen to love bookstores, and this one is definitely worth a browse. It's small but as Ginger mentioned it does carry a lot of author signings... they also have a lot of books on local history (I am still coveting a copy of the history of Miller & Rhoads that I saw there last time I was in) and some quirky titles as well (The Art of the Compliment, which I found there last time as well). The three things that make this store just an occasional shop instead of a regular habit are: 1. There aren't any seats. I like to sit down and relax, maybe read the first few pages of a book... it's small, not cramped, but there are definitely no areas to relax and peruse. 2. The prices are a bit high. In this age of half.com, I just can't stomach paying $22 for a copy of a book I am going to read once. They do occasionally have a cart out on the street with bargain titles that are going for cheap, but for people like me who can buy a dozen books at a stretch, I need some sort of rewards program or discount card or something, otherwise my whole paycheck will end up going to Fountain... 3. I usually walk by there at night, after dinner... and they are never open. It'd be awesome if they stayed open until 11pm or so at night, but unfortunately I've never seen that. read more

I like Fountain Bookstore for two reasons. First, it's a great locally owned bookstore. The intimate shop in Shockoe Slip has a nicely edited selection that includes Richmond books and authors, popular books, new releases, kids' books, travel books and more. The staff's picks section always has some great selections. You'll also find a few notebooks, cards and other typical bookstore stuff. Fountain Bookstore is just one of those few bookstores with distinct personalities that are hard to find in a Barnes & Noble world. Second, owner Kelly Justice is a very positive impact on Richmond's literature front. She holds lots lots of events for Richmond authors in her store, and she brings national authors to her store for events as well. When local authors release new works they often have readings and signings here. She also offers up her space for lectures and workshops that interest her, like a recent one about social media for small business owners. Check the web site for a current schedule of events. read more

This is a quaint little place that seems cozy and sweet. The staff was very knowledgeable without making you feel dumb. We would definitely go back! read more

Super cute little book store! I'm usually overwhelmed when I go into a big-named book store chain so this offered a nice change of pace. It's nestled on a quaint little street in Richmond that offers various restaurants and bars giving it a Main Street USA kind of feel. There are employee recommendations and a list of author appearances as well as a card and children's corner. I especially liked the children's section- although I haven't been able to actually choose a baby or children's book just yet- there seemed to be a nice variety of books for little guys of all ages. I like little stores like this. read more

I love this little hole-in-the-wall bookstore on Cary Street. They carry a lot of local history titles and host a lot of author signings, but if you're looking for a Starbucks and free Wi-Fi, this isn't for you. I think independent bookstores like this are treasures, and wish more locals would support them. The staff here actually loves, and reads, books and they know a lot about the titles and the authors. I can easily spend an hour in here exploring every nook and cranny, inhaling the heady scent of books, not coffee. read more

Exactly the bookstore you hope to find on a cobbled street in the Slip. Nice mix of new and classic books , retail, local and specific to Virginia books and publications. If you want to support local bookstores, shop here. read more

This is a great local, independent bookstore. Small and cozy but packed with promise. They stock a lot of local and regional authors, and are very knowledgeable about the books they sell. It's difficult to walk out of here emptyhanded! The ladies who work here are beyond marvelous, and maybe psychic - as they always seem to know exactly what I'll love to read next. read more

Lovely location. Eager, well-read bookseller. Conscientious, thoughtful owner. User-friendly layout. Girl reviewing who's too tired to use complete sentences. Great store! read more

Not what I was expecting. Just a little store with a selection of things you can find in any other bookstore. Felt like it may be a new business still setting up or rearranging stock as there were a lot of boxes and random shelves with little books to the back. Quite a few signed copies of book but was bowled over in anyway read more

Great little shop that doesnt have the wide variety of books that you'd find in the behomoth bookstores that dot the landscape. What it does have though is quality books as well as a knowledgeable staff who will help you to select the right book. While you may not find the James Patterson books that are sold in Kroger you will find local authors or well written books that aren't as well known. Add to that the creaky wooden floorboards and a nice selection of Papyrus cards and what you have is a recipe for an hour or two of enjoyable browsing and buying. read more

I've been to this bookstore a few times since moving to Richmond. It's located in Shockoe Bottom near all of the lively restaurants and hotels. The staff members are friendly and helpful. Last time I visited the store, I came out with a Stephen King novel recommended by a staff member. The only downside is that I love sitting down to read in bookstores but this bookstore is more of a "pick a book up and go" type of place. Other than that, I hope to attend events in the near future when authors come to visit. I would definitely recommend this place for readers, of all ages! read more

I've had two experiences with this beautiful shop since moving to the area, my first was a private shopping appointment (something they offered temporarily because of covid). I shopped with my two daughters and got some great recommendations from Andi and Kelly. The shop itself is super cozy, and has great selection. I unknowingly picked up an autographed copy, which was a fun surprise when I got home. My second experience was just as wonderful. I purchased their "Bag O' Books" option on the website. Included a note mentioning my reading preferences with the order, and the next day picked up my books! I am thrilled with the titles they chose for me, three very different titles that I don't think I would have reached for myself, and yet all three I know I will enjoy. They wrapped the books beautifully (I had mentioned it being my birthday in the note). My book lovers heart is so full and happy with my experiences at Fountain Bookstore! Thank you! read more