Very kind & helpful staff, plus the place feels like a bookstore! It's not corporate but local & the architecture inside & out feels warm, cozy & comforting. Grateful in a word, sums it up!! read more

Rude service -good customer service goes a long way and this book store does not that have that at all. Uncomfortable seating small kids section. read more

There were some good options and a somewhat aesthetic atmosphere (like most bookstores). Since this is a 'new books' bookstore, all titles were cover price. The advantage of bookstores that aren't Barnes and Nobles is the better pricing and atmosphere (at least in my opinion)-- and New Dominion just didn't have either advantage on a typical B&N! The prices were more expensive than most bookstores, excluding B&N of course. Further, they didn't have a sale, clearance, or just any special sections. They did have a good selection of classics. When I asked the sales associate about a book price, which was damaged, she acted offended and gave me a shrug saying that that's just how it is. I didn't mention it being damaged, I just asked to make sure that the hardback was indeed the price listed on the cover. Many of the books they had were not in mint condition and there were not multiple copies of titles so you couldn't just select another one. Might as well save the bad parking and cramped store and head to a Barnes and Noble. I try to support small business whenever I can, but this store just didn't have any perks (that I could find) above a normal big manufacturer like Amazon or B&N. I will try to visit again one day and give it another shot. read more

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Not the calming bookstore vibe I was hoping for... After being greeted by an employee, I was constantly being hovered and checked on. Any section I would go to, the employee would follow close behind. I was in the store for about 5 minutes before I had enough and decided to call it. When visiting bookstores, I prefer to be left alone so I can fully concentrate on the books offered to see if one peaks my interest. It was very uncomfortable and distracting to have someone hovering around in such a small store. The store itself is tidy and has an easy to follow layout. I wish I could speak to the variety of books offered but I was too preoccupied with the hovering employee to really take anything in. read more

New Dominion Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Book store that has amazing variety of at list price books. The most special part about this place is the rose garden in back. It is magic!! You can even use the space even if you didn't purchase a book. Just providing this makes paying a few dollars more for a book a non-issue. Plus then you have the book in hand to enjoy in the garden. If I lived in the area and needed a book in the moment, I would buy it here. Even if I didn't need it in the moment, the book I bought was only 2 dollars more than amazon which was fine with me to have it immediate, support local business, enjoy the rose garden, and thumb through a bunch of books in the store. Wish: they had sale items or even a used books section (maybe offer a buyback program for books that they have had in the past 6 months to keep inventory up to date, keep customers coming back, offer competitive prices to online options, and make extra money) read more

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I've been to New Dominion many times since moving here in summer 2017, both to shop for books and to attend readings or other events. The staff is helpful, courteous, and friendly without hovering over you as you browse. They have a stellar selection of new - and new to paperback - releases. If they don't have what you're looking for (and that's happened to me just once) they are happy to order it and the process is speedy. The events are well chosen and always interesting; for a while there were some issues with the mics / sound but those have been resolved. Today I went in looking for something by a specific author. Some of the sections had been rearranged since my last visit, and a bookseller was immediately there to point me to what I wanted. New Dominion is one of the many local businesses making Charlottesville a more interesting place. Check them out - you'll be glad you did! read more

A beautiful bookstore on the downtown mall. This bookstore is open and airy, with tall ceilings and well organized bookshelves. It is located in an old building and the architecture is lovely; the shop doesn't overdo decor or styling, but lets the books talk for themselves. It is what may come to mind when you think "bookstore": timeless, organized, shelves and shelves and shelves of books. Every time I enter I find something I'd like to buy. I like supporting my local bookstore, though they don't always have what I want, if I come in looking for something specific, which is understandable. They seem to curate a great selection of books, of all genres for all tastes. They also have a rose garden out back that you can use to enjoy a nice day with a good book. Very cool. I can't give it 5 stars though, because while I am the sort of customer who enjoys "hands-off" customer service rather than clingy store clerks, the employees at New Dominion seem unable to provide any sort of friendly interaction. I've never been greeted with an actual "hello" or even a smile of any sort upon entering the shop, and even when obviously scanning for a book and searching and searching with an employee right behind me, I've never been asked if I wanted help. I always have to make the first move, and when I do, the response is dull. Oftentimes the shop seems to be staffed with younger folks, maybe students, and they just seem socially awkward, so maybe it's not that they don't want to provide customer service but in fact don't know how and are too nervous to begin a conversation? Either way, when hiring employees, a store should look for more hospitable people, or train them to at least wear a smile. A lovely bookstore, most likely carrying the books you want/need, but which unfortunately feels cold due to the lack of natural, friendly human interaction. read more

Great location in the Downtown area outdoor pedestrian mall. I was wandering the mall and completely drawn in by the wonderful smell of books. I walked in and found this heavenly place. Floor to ceiling books in no organization. Just stacks and stacks of lovely books. Staff wears neckties and are a teeny bit snooty. Professorial types who believe their intelligence outweighs their need to earn a living selling books. Overlook the staff and enjoy this gem of a bookshop. read more

New Dominion Bookshop - What a glorious store!! You can smell the books from outside. - Bookstores Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I loved going into this bookshop! The woman working there was kind and very helpful. The selection was great as well!

My favorite local bookshop by far! Great selection, and so nice to find new books besides the ones pushed at the big local chains. It's always a little hard to park downtown, so I don't get there as often as I'd like, but it's definitely worth the trip. read more

Only new books, all at list price. A smattering of offerings, but no real area or areas of focus. The staff reflects this same lack of focus, If you want what they offer, go to Barnes + Nobles and Getz larger selection and a lower price. read more

I adore this bookshop! If they don't have something, they get it in short order. Wonderfully curated collections. They offer a variety of well put on events, readings, music and art shows as well. I knew the former owner well and I can say that the new owner is also amazing. I read the other reviews on the perception of staff, I've never experienced anything like that though, I've always found the staff (both old and new) engaging, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I will say when you'r exploring on your own and start reading they don't interrupt a lot and let you enjoy the experience. When the spring arrives I'm looking forward to enjoying a new book on the new deck amidst the beautiful rose garden out back! read more

New Dominion Bookshop is such a gift to Charlottesville! They have an excellent selection and, maybe even more important, wonderful people who work there. I always buy books as gifts for all the children of my family and friends. New Dominion people are always so helpful and knowledgeable and very, very, very patient, all of which is so important. And, if by some chance they don't have the precise book I am looking for, they are always willing to order it, and then they let me know as soon as they get it in the store. They also have author events all the time, which are varied and terrific. If I could, I would give them 6 stars! read more

Central Casting? Get me a book lover's bookstore straight out of every Anglophile's dream. It already exists here in beautiful Charlottesville. Lovely place with a beautifully curated selection of books for readers of all ages and tastes. I could easily live here. read more

This book shop is located in the pedestrian mall downtown. It's a pretty big book store with a big selection. The staff was very friendly and offers help, but kind of leaves you to browse on your own. The organization seems to be lacking a bit, but it's a great bookstore and you can spend hours exploring in there. read more

Remarkably impolite staff. We were cheerful and pleasant, but the manager turned her back and walked away from me when I was in mid-sentence, and the clerk in turn would not even look at us as we made our purchase -- shoving my credit card back in my general direction without making eye contact or looking in my general direction and then not offering so much as a simple thank you for our business. Obviously they do not need the business, and there are three truly wonderful bookshops within two blocks of this entitled establishment. The other three bookshops will enjoy our business going forward, but New Dominion will not see us again. read more

Everything you could want in a bookshop: a well-curated selection, a beautiful space, and a friendly & knowledgable staff! The location is great, right on the downtown mall. The shop host frequent events as well, including readings, book launches, and open mics. A great visit for locals looking for their next must-read, or for tourists looking for something Cville-specific to take home as a souvenir. Just be ready to walk out with way too many things to add to the "to read" pile on your nightstand. read more

New Dominion is a wonderful book shop with a broad selection of reasonably-priced books. The store seems to have special strength in local/regional history and interest, as well as mystery and fiction--but, even so, I was able to find several titles related to my admittedly arcane interests. Even after an hour here, I could easily have spent much more time than I did. Well worth repeated visits! read more

rude receptionist hung up on me! poor customer service. i will take my business elsewhere and recommend others to do the same.

LOVE this bookstore, it's one of my favorite indies in Virginia. It's right on the downtown mall pedestrian mall, so you can't miss it. What looks like a small storefront opens into this gorgeous manor-house-esque library extending back to a sweeping staircase, with books lining every wall and tucked into every corner. Definitely a book-lover's dream! The selection is wonderfully curated, the staff is knowledgable and quick with suggestions. I've spent hours in this store browsing and selecting the perfect books--it was one of my favorite stores to visit as a student, and one of my "must see" stops whenever I'm back in town. Killer fiction section, and great nonfiction selections as well, they have great books by local authors and on local sites (and food!) that are really fun to pick up as mementos if you're visiting C'ville on vacation. They also hold great community events and partner with other businesses downtown! They're the oldest indie in VA and such a valuable part of the C'ville community. If you're in town, make this the first bookstore you visit! read more