Erasmus is a wonderful and weird used bookstore, packed to the brim with books of all sorts by an…read moreavid book collector or two in an old and beautiful home. My bf and I got lost in here (although it is quite organized), just looking for a diamond on the rough book to take home back in April 2025. I only had $8 in cash in me and the kind bookseller let me buy a $10 Jewish hardcover cookbook for only $8! While I am trying to buy LESS books as I downsize, I plan to stop by Erasmus periodically to look and perhaps, give a book a home! Parking is street parking.

The shinning jewel of South Bend…read more When I come back to the area to visit family and friends, I consider Erasmus as both. The store is inside a 1920's German-cottage style house (I could be wrong, but that's my guess) and when you enter you can feel the warmth from the books. The proprietors, Philip and Bill, love the written word. This shows both through conversation and the items that they carry. On the main floor you will find mostly hardback poetry fiction/Lit, 1st editions, Children's and rare books. Downstairs are History, theology, nonfiction and paperbacks. I usually go there and look around, jumping from one section and and floor, to the other and maybe back. Never do I go with a book in mind, but wander and let the book find me. If you need a special book- just ask- it could be around, or they can find it for you.

First book/roll playing store I ever went to. I could spend hours and hours browsing. Amazing then,…read moreeven more amazing 30 years on.

An absolutely fantastic book store and game shop! Its got everything you could want: tons of…read moredifferent gaming supplies, a dedicated gaming space, diverse book offerings, and very friendly staff. I wish there was a place like this in my own hometown, but South Bend has a true gem here.

Great selection of books!! The aisle of books are labeled so it is easy to find your favorite…read moregenre. Highly recommend!

Large selection cool finds and nice people. Clean restrooms. Good value on most thingsread more

THIS is one fantastic bookstore. In fact, it is *the quintessential* small town bookstore, the one…read moreyou actually read about in books and wish you had one yourself. If you're anywhere near Elkhart, YOU DO. Lucky us!! Things we love: The work in progress Harry Potter closet under the stairs. YEP!!! The amazing staff! The owners are SO community-minded. It's remarkable. Of course, excellent selection of books THE CUTEST kids area Rolling bookshelves for event space (!) Events! (such as poetry open mic, or local authors) Local authors are featured Knowledgeable staff FANTASTIC sitting clever signs Things that make me sad: We live an hour away. Go! And, perhaps, you'll write your OWN novel, about a bookstore, and this will be your model. LOVE!

This place was a huge disappointment. I took my 3-year old granddaughter on an outing and chose…read morethis local bookstore as part of it. She LOVES reading, and I thought it would be fun to visit a local, independent bookstore. It is a used bookstore, which was not clear from website description. The book choices for preschool children were minimal - a single small bookcase of books - most of which were ancient. (There was a Dick and Jane book there if you want to gauge age of the books). The books were poorly organized and many were very worn. As my granddaughter said, "This bookstore is boring." It was a shame as small communities need good bookstores. This wasn't it. I've been to some GREAT small independent bookstores; I know they can be amazing. This was just depressing.

What a wonderful find! My bf and I randomly stumbled in on a snowy, wintery day as we had gotten…read moretoo cold during our adventuring but I am always happy to check out bookstores! I was surprised to see so many things on sale for 50% off when we stopped in! I bought a book for myself and a board book for my baby nephew for $17 total, after the 50% discount. I regret not stocking up on graphic novels while they were half off! I doubt this discount will exist the next time I stop in... Brain Lair Books also hosts about 7 different book clubs - I'll be joining the romance one when I move here in a year-ish. The bookseller on staff the day we stopped in was also so kind and very funny! Make sure to stop by this well-curated, local bookstore next time you find yourself in the South Bend area!

Wow is all I can say. How could I be so lucky to stumble across this gem. Back in the day when I…read morelived in South Bend this location was a hardware store with a neighborhood grocery store next door. Kathy, the owner took time to greet me and my sister and chat with us. We're both book lovers and we're impressed with the selection. I brought my friend back hours later who is also a book lover along with my two nieces. Again, Kathy was very personable, shared why she opened the bookstore. There is something for everyone here. There's even a little nook with a pillow seat for me and my niece to read a book together. You have to check this place out. If you don't live books you know someone who does so why not support a small business. We all left with a book!

The most charming little bookstore! This is how bookstores should be. Shelves stacked tall with old…read morevolumes waiting to be picked up and admired! I Half expected the kid from Neverending story to run through. They have a wide variety and very reasonable prices. From rare pieces to modern. The basement has records and comics so there is a huge selection. I loved the prints available too! Definitely worth a stop

If you're in the area and love books, you definitely need to stop here! We spent about an hour here…read morebut could have spent way more if we had the time. Such a neat little shop with lots of amazing books. I highly recommend!

2 Floors of Fighting Irish Apparel and Accessories. Sooo much stuff here, it's incredible! They…read moredo have a Starbucks inside so if you are not a shopper, you can sit down and relax with a coffee. It has to be one of the biggest Campus bookstores in the Country. If you are visiting, a definite must stop before you leave.

The bookstore is certainly worth a stop If you are ever on NDs campus and able to visit, you could…read morereally get lost there. It's a well maintained building, and they always have interesting displays depending on the time of year. I love to browse because there are so many different books and ND gear to check out! I found a book, and some ND softball gear, as well as baby items that a friend wanted me to grab for her. The staff is also friendly and helpful, check them out if you are in the area

Everything's great about it. Just know that I'm game weekend. It is super crowded. But it's also…read moregreat to see all the fans together.

We were downtown for lunch and my son wanted to check for comic books. Unfortunately I noticed as…read moresoon as we walked in that it wasn't a 'book' sort of bookstore, but probably a textbook sort of bookstore. An employee confirmed. They did have a fabulous AYOP tank and shorts that my daughter loved, and my son did end up with a water bottle from Notre Dame for a souvenir. And the same great employee was very helpful at getting us checked out way faster than the family taking a while at the other register.

If you actually come here to try and find and purchase a book, be aware, this isn't really what…read morethey do anymore. Employees out stocking will actively avoid you. I had to wait in line and ask a cashier. They looked up the book and told me it was in a specific section. It was not. No one cared. They do not need your business. On the other hand it is literally an excellent toy store for some reason.

Website says it has a book in stock in the store. They can't find it in stock and in the store and…read morenever heard of the book. Also, the young workers have no concept of personal space or politeness. I felt like I was invisible as they tried to walk through me and around me and blocked me from actually looking for an author. Not most friendly customer service based store you'd wanna enter. I think you better use Amazon.

My girlfriend always leaves satisfied Stacy has met a lot of people since we have been going she…read morehas Loved everything she has tried

It was slow but active in the private booths 3 years ago. I went for a business meeting and…read morestopped by afterwards.