Truly an outstanding used bookstore (with perhaps a few new, unused books, as well) that's well worth visiting. Browsing their inventory - it's extensive and generally well organized - is kind of entering a time warp. You won't find that much fiction published in, say, the past 20 or more years. But going back further is where they have their depth. Want, for example, to fill out your Erskine Caldwell first edition collection? They've got you covered. It's actually a little uncanny. (I almost expected to bump into Rod Serling prowling the stacks during my most recent visit.) Staff persons on duty during both my visits over the past two years were very friendly and helpful. read more

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Last time I was in Owego, I stopped into Riverow with some friends and had a wonderful time. The staff was friendly and the books are incredible- I've never seen so many topics, with reasonable prices. I purchased several books on that visit, and eagerly looked forward to visiting today- planned the whole day around it. Got to the bookstore but quickly felt a call of nature. The sole staff member, clearly irritated, informed me there was no public bathroom, but that I could find them across the street at the Owego info center. I went into the info center only to be informed that their bathrooms are private, too, and that Riverow has been told "repeatedly" to stop sending people there. The desk attendant was kind & let me use the restroom. I returned to the bookstore deeply mortified. I couldn't bring myself to stay and didn't purchase anything. I left feeling humiliated and disappointed, especially since I live far from Owego and this was a special occasion. read more

I love this bookstore! It is a treasure trove of wonderful old volumes on almost every conceivable subject. We stop by the store on our drives through New York State every year. It is truly a highpoint. read more

This was a unique find after seeing John Kucko mention it on his Facebook Page. It did not disappoint. Three floors of wonderful books. Some unique, hard to find items. The staff was super helpful and knowledgeable. An extra plus: it smells like an elementary school library inside. Super nostalgic fun stop. read more

Riverow Bookshop - Storefront - Bookstores Near Me - Owego, New York

A not to be missed bookstore. Incredible selection of both old, rare and new books on every subject imaginable. Whether you have a book in mind or just want to browse, a great place! I just wish it had an elevator for disabled folks. read more

Great local bookstore. Large collection with open shelves and places to sit. Reasonable prices. Browsers are welcome. I am beyond my book collecting days, but enjoy browsing. So, if I do not buy something, I leave a few dollars as a donation on each visit. We don't want the community to lose this gem. read more

My 500th review! And it's not even about food. On my recent road trip upstate, I stopped in the town of Owego because I've always seen it from the freeway and have always wanted to stop and check out the town. I had no idea I'd stumble upon my new favorite used bookstore. This bookstore sells new and used, although mostly used. It's a lot larger than it looks as it's on three separate floors. It's such an experience to walk in here and slowly take it all in. The creaky baseboards, the wooden steps, the intoxicating smell of a room full of old books. And they have everything you could imagine in here. The bottom floor has their clearance section with great deals on books, vinyls, magazines, and more. The upstairs has multiple rooms. You could spend all day browsing inside this bookstore. Right by the entrance is the culinary section and here is where I found my gem. I purchased a limited edition copy of Jacques Pépin's "The Complete Techniques" that is leather-bound with gilded page ends. The best part is that it is signed by Jacques Pépin! Next time I make this road trip, I'm going to have to leave earlier so that I can spend much more time browsing this shop. Forget Strand Bookstore in Manhattan, Riverow Bookshop is where it's at! read more

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My husband and I, both avid readers, absolutely adore a good locally owned bookshop. And Riverow is definitely adore-worthy! We used to live in the Broome County area, and would frequent Riverow in charming Owego often. We were recently passing through town on a weekend road trip, and were stoked to see Riverow open on our way through, so of course had to stop to do some book perusing! They have both new and used titles here, a great variety of both on the three-floors of this historic Owego building. My husband is a philosophy PhD, and has found many great specialty academic books titles here, a few that he picked up on this recent visit. I like to explore the used fiction for sci-fi gems, and have stumbled on both classic and newer books in the used and new. New books are usually priced per the cover price, so higher than online, but supporting this local business by paying a few extra bucks if you can is very well worth it. You will find bargains in the used stacks though, for sure. The owners, who are often working the register here, are incredibly helpful if you are looking for something specific or want to order something. They are also friendly to just chat with in general, too. Riverow Bookshop is one of my most-missed places from when we used to live nearby. So glad we got to stop in recently, and look forward to doing it again someday when we're back in the area in the future! read more

Riverow Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Owego, New York

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Riverow is HUGE! It looks like a bookstore that would come out in a show or movie. The floors are creaky and went when no one was there so lowkey got creepy vibes BUT their book selection is very thorough. They have every genre imaginable with a dedicated floor for discounted books (in the basement). Didn't even get to roam throughout the whole bookstore-- but they have three floors (I didn't get to go upstairs). They sell mostly old books. But is it bad that I prefer Strand? Anyway, definitely give this place a visit if in the area. Oh and funny story: I lost my friend so I had to scream her name around ten times before I could find her (I was on the main floor and she was in the basement). read more

Riverow Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Owego, New York

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Drove around 30 minutes to get here on a tour of used booksellers within an hour from me. Definitely one if my favorites! On approach saw sale books outside and was greeted and invited in warmly by an employee. Sections were separated well and easy to browse, wish I wasn't on a time limit! My favorite was the "Bargain Basement", I feel I could've spent hours here. read more

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Still there, still great after all these years! There's something about bricks and mortar that online shopping or reading will never be able to re-create. I've been shopping here since the 1980s and can say that John knows his books, picks them well both, new and used. Excellent for coverage of New York State history, Architecture fans will love the building and block around this store. Well worth the short detour off rt 17/ I-86 on any NYC to Ithaca trip. read more

This place is huge!!! Book heaven with tons of new and used the people are super friendly too!

This is our hometown bookstore! Stop and see huge selections of all varieties and types of books. There are many floors in this unique building to discover. The owners are so amazing and friendly. They support our community and keep the historic marketplace rolling! read more

My father and I came in from out of town. This place does still recommend masks, it has a sign. However, it has been months since both federal and state mandates have lifted and surrounding businesses have no such recommendation. No masks are provided in the event that, like us who came from out of town, no longer carry masks. The staff did not wear masks until we approached them, they put them on, and told us to put on masks. Specifically "there is still COVID, put on your masks" as if he thought we were the ones who missed something and their "recommendation" was more of an order. It would have been fine if he wasn't rude in the first place AND he kept his on. Especially when his co-worker was over his shoulder without one either. It isn't the mask recommendation itself, it's that they treated potential customers rudely and were hypocritical over their own rrules. Maybe the store had a nice selection, we didn't want to raise a fuss and just left before we managed to look at anything. read more

Riverrow is a fantastic bookshop. They feature new, used, and rare/antique titles. The layout is maze-like (love it), the building is old (love those creaky floors), the selection is top notch (good art book section), and they have tons of books (and other unique items). The highlight of Riverrow Books is the bargain basement. Consisting of both paperbacks and hardcover books, one could spend hours pouring over the stacks of random books, art catalogues, LPs, magazines, and other goodies. The first floor contains the bulk of the collection; favorite sections include art, design, cookbooks, and history. The upstairs contains a massive collection of rare and antique books (one whole room on architecture), and if I had way more disposable income, I would would storm through in a buying frenzie. The prices are generally fair, but a little on the high side (its getting progressively harder to find cheap used bookstores, but used-bookstores are a dying breed. sniff). If you're in the area and want a top-notch book buying experience, check out Riverrow Books. read more

This place is really a treasure trove. 3 full floors of new and used books, prints, photos, maps, cards, stationary, etc.. They also have a really great collection of books about NY state and the Southern Tier specifically. Honestly, you can effortlessly spend hours picking through the shelves and bins here, and you could also effortlessly spend hundreds of dollars at a time. Riverrow is a unique shopping experience, and is a great place to spend an afternoon. read more

It doesn't get better than this. Riverow has a fine selection of new and used books on its first floor, which is the original flooring from days gone by, creaky, wooden floors that complement a slow-paced browsing of their fine selections. Downstairs they offer half-off used books, upstairs is next to paradise if you love old paper, ephemera, and art. I would like to live on the second floor...fainting couches, Persian rugs, art, statues, and a large selection of old posters, prints, tickets, and books to browse through. I can always find something here to buy, be that a gift or a book for myself. Definitely worth the visit! read more

We used to live in the area and stopped by on a recent visit. WOW the place is even better than we remembered. And such a lovely and knowledgeable proprietor. read more

Riverow is a fabulous bookshop. They have new, used, and antique books. I love this store, it reminds me of an old fashioned bookstore with wooden floors and great shelves. The book selection is great. and there are all sorts of other items as well. On the first floor, there are mostly new and used books. I love browsing the cookbook section - some of the used books which are now out of print are wonderful. And they don't carry the "junky" cookbooks! The youth selection is wonderful as well. On the second floor, there are old, rare, and antique books. They can look up and order books for you. A gem. read more