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.

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!

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!

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!

This review will be short and sweet! I love, love, love all things paper, journals and ink! I…read morestumbled across this bookshop, and my inner child felt so giddy! Unfortunately, I wasn't in the area to shop or make a journal; but, now that I know this space exists, I will be going back to make my own journal. I love the quotes. My two favorites -- as shown in the pics -- "Let that sh!t go!" and "Because I said so!" After I take the journal making workshop, I'll be back to update!

UPDATED POST - I spoke to the owner and understood that her frustration stemmed from people…read morestruggling to find her location. I must admit that she sent me the details via email, but I received them after I had already left for my appointment and only saw them later that day. Despite this, she graciously offered me the chance to return and have another experience with her. I intend to take her up on this offer when my schedule becomes more manageable. Original Post - I discovered this business on Instagram and was excited to support a Black woman-owned business during Women's History Month, but the experience was disappointing. After I took a wrong turn in Savage Mill, the owner interrupted me and reprimanded a young employee in front of me for my confusion, which made the atmosphere immediately uncomfortable. What should have been a fun creative experience ended up feeling rushed, and unfortunately that Mama had the drama -- it really brought my whole spirit down. The book cost me $10 booking fee plus my book with letters and a crystal $49.82 total $59.82 and I elected to finish my book at home.

This is the most fantastical gift shop in the whole world. I loved the American Visionary Art…read moreMuseum (reviewed separately), but I spent as much time in this shop as I did the museum! I love folk art . . . so creative, earthy, edgy. And this shop is full of that, and a lotta quirk! Lots of affordable art from folk artists. Tons of cool postcards you might not be able to find anywhere else. Weird old photos to buy. Bizarro clowns. Chair socks (who knew those existed), vintage halloween masks (I wanted to buy them all), journals, very cool books. A lot of social justice stuff, which I appreciate. I know I'm safe here. The staff (including the owner who helps out around the place himself) were so cool and nice! I bought a ton of weird and delightful greeting cards, postcards, and a few other fun things. And I bought a couple fortunes from Zoltar, the famous fortune teller from BIG. This is a place I would shop at frequently, outside of museum patronage.

Really fun gift shop with tons of quirky stuff! Came to shop for some gifts for friends and was not…read moredisappointed. There are tons of tchotchkes and Knick knacks at several price points including jewelry, pouches, decor, cards, puzzles, and more. Make sure to check the hours before you come as they're not open Monday/Tuesday.

This place has a cute and awesome selection of stickers, socks, dish towels, and other fun things…read moreto buy. My five stickers were around $21. The service was great. I spoke with the owner a bit and she is awesome.

Popped in this adorable shop at the end of December. It's been on my list so this was the perfect…read moreopportunity to visit for a late holiday gift. Chatted with the owner for a bit who was super helpful and nice. Definitely found a gift and saw other potential gift ideas. This is another small bit mighty place. The owner makes amazing use of the space and everything is curated so nicely. I know items tend to change based on the season so I'll make sure to pop back in soon to see what else comes in.

If you're ever in need of a one of kind gift or just looking for some interesting nick knacks then…read moreyou have to stop by Found Studio. This little boutique carries some of the cutest items. Kitschy home decor for every season and holiday, fun cocktail items to stock your home bar, soaps, lotions, and candles from local vendors, eclectic cards to perfectly address every occasion, and many more items. Found Studio screams Baltimore wrapped up in a pretty turquoise building. They offer a decent value for some of these rare items sold here only in Baltimore. And all of the women running the shop are always so pleasant every time I stop in. I tend to make Found Studio my first stop whenever I'm in need of the perfect birthday gift for a friend. You could literally roam around this store finding different goodies at every turn. Pro tip, follow them on IG so you can keep an eye out when they have random sales.

This is officially my favorite boutique in the city. The OG's of Baltimore will remember Trovh. The…read moreformer co-owner Kacey has opened up this spot both as an art gallery and working space for artists and a first floor amazingly curated shop. The space in Hartford Road has been open for a year, but I just found it! There is a mushroom curated wall, and I lost my mind. I often feel like the boutique's here all sell the same things but Found Studio Shop is unique and you can tell BELOVED in the Hamilton community. Annie Howe, the paper cut artist also has a permanent residency here. The price point is from mid to high as it's an excellently curated store with higher end items. If you need to do any shopping, I would come here. It's a perfect place for gifts and cards. So so glad this place exists!