For safety, you have to ring a doorbell to be let inside. And when you ring that doorbell, odds are…read morean opinionated chihuahua will be the first at the door to greet you. Once inside, I was greeted by a second dog whose nose was auspiciously shaped like a heart who enthusiastically loved on me before moving on to my husband. I mean, I've never been greeted like this before in a bookstore and now I don't ever NOT wanted to be greeted like that! This store is small but mighty with a book that I've been lowkey searching for for months (Marsha: The Joy and Defiance) and another that I had on my audiobook list but was happy to purchase as it was signed by the author (Keeper of Lost Children). I love independent bookstores. There's just something about searching and finding just what you're looking for. I can't wait to return again soon.

Cute Black-owned bookstore. They seem to be a great local indie for the area with many author…read moreevents. Parking was a little hard to find on the street so we had to walk several blocks. Still worth the effort!

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.

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 actually am not vegan whatsoever, so I was a little nervous to try this coffee shop for the first…read moretime, but WOW, holy flavor. I ordered a breakfast burrito, and it's been three days since I had it and I'm still craving the taste. Who knew you could make tofu taste so good? I didn't like my vanilla iced coffee as much, but that was my fault because I should have asked for more vanilla flavoring. I really appreciated how much parking there was on a Sunday afternoon, and in my opinion, it's one of the best co working spaces in Baltimore. I would 100% come back to this coffee shop and maybe spend more time browsing the books next time!

The True Vine - musical smorgasbord- drunk on the ear candy of many good times , stories and…read morealbums of every flavor . Find yourself there in a A Baltimore beacon bejeweled .

I stopped by True Vine to do some browsing a few weeks ago when I was in the area. It's not large,…read morebut it had an interesting selection. However, I'm pretty headache-prone in businesses that smell heavily of cigarette smoke. I couldn't stay inside very long for that reason. I was able to find a few things I took home, but I probably wouldn't return to True Vine over some other record shops in the city. The shop does have a classic old store front/facade as well a some great decor. Worth stopping in if you collect vinyl, are checking out the city's record shops, and are in the area!

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).

A cute local book store located inside a 19 century house. There is also a beautiful green space or…read moregarden located behind the house. Plenty of seatings inside and outside for reading. Selecion of books are plentiful with readings available to young and old. My oldest daughter was able to locate the title she was looking for. Employees were helpful and very friendly. Plenty of parking spaces behind the store and in front of the store.

Nice little bookstore with a good flow through the shelves. The staff are friendly and helpful…read more There's a small parking lot, plus street parking if the lot's full.

Great selection and value; really knowledgeable proprietor helped a lot with smart and witty…read morecomments; also great 'if you liked that you'll like this' suggestions!

Very cute and cozy bookstore. The owner is versed in literature and her number one employee,…read moreGermaine, is the cutest black cat in the city. Definitely a great place to stop by.

i just received my book that I purchased from Royal Books. Great deal, fantastic find,…read moreIt was packaged excellently and shipped quickly. I will be watching this store for more books that peek my interest. Jerry Z Oak Lawn Illinois

From the owner: Royal Books specializes in rare books and paper relating to twentieth century literature, genre…read morefiction, the arts, and popular culture, with a particular emphasis on cinema.