It's been almost 40 years since I was here but I remember aisle after aisle of magazines and books. Must visit this when you're in Rochester! read more

Worldwide News was a fantastic source for (almost) all things written back in the 60's and 70's. It provided the basis for much of my political and intellectual development with its broad array of periodicals: RAMPARTS, EVERGREEN, THE REALIST, THE PARIS REVIEW, THE NEW YORK TIMES, FILM COMMENT, and yes, PLAYBOY.., to name but a very few. It was a wonderland for curious readers. It gives me no pleasure to report that the Worldwide News of today is not even a shadow of what it once was. The parking lot and structure are still there, but both appear to be frequented more by the down and out than by lovers of the written word. Less than 20% of the store is still devoted to the display of newspapers, magazines, or paperbacks. Approximately half of the store is empty or functioning as storage space for non-used display racks, while the balance is devoted to tables and convenience foods. It's just sad. There is one draw to be found onsite, however: a giant mural facing the parking lot depicting "sleeping bears." Ironically, due in no small part to the ambience created by the store, to many people the image suggested is one of copulating rodents. (See photo) read more

World Wide News - "Sleeping Bears" or....? - Newspapers & Magazines Near Me - Rochester, New York

I'm glad to see this place is still around. It was a go-to place for me when I lived in Rochester. I started going there in my early 20s, looking for European Vogue magazines. I always came out of there with more than I went in there for-- because their newspaper-magazine stock was endless and thorough. I was a kid in a candy story every time I went there, sometimes going on my work break, sometimes making special trips downtown to go there. As the previous reviewer said, "Every city needs at least one place like this", and part of its charm is, indeed, that it is open 24 hrs and that it has a wonderful mix of clientele-- one could write stories about them... I'm going to have to visit and shop there again when I visit Rochester. read more

The decline of World Wide News is sad. Once it was a veritable cornucopia of eclectic reading material. Today, it's a bizarre (and dingey) hybrid of convenience store/fast food joint. The "dinginess" goes for the neighborhood as well. There is very little reading material left. Proceed at your own peril... read more

It is pretty much the only place in the neighborhood for beer, smokes, and other basics. It is run down, can get a sketchy crowd asking for money, and be warned, they always close 15 minutes early. The people that are always there are harmless, you just want to be focused when heading in to the place. The best thing about WWN is that it is a fantastically diverse news and magazine stand, pretty rare these days. read more

Every city needs at least one place like this--a spot that sells newspapers from all over the country (not to mention every magazine you've ever heard of and dozens upon dozens that you haven't) and that is open 24 hours so it attracts exactly the sort of oddball nighthawk clientele you want to see in a news shop. Add to this all sorts of unexpected peripheral inventory items (gum, candy, tobacco, liquor, and a large enough book selection that it rates as one of Rochester's better independent bookstores) and you've got a cornerstone of your downtown environment. Grab your copy of Ulysses and get in line behind the old guy in the trenchcoat who can't seem to decide whether he really needs his copy of "Swank" or the bottle of Olde English he's got in his other hand--you're at World Wide News... read more

We were downtown Rochester for 2 days and wandered in here. Looks a bit (or more) of a dump from outside, but contains a very eclectic and broad selection of magazines as well as items you'd expect in a convenience store. I echo the previous reviewer's comments. I found 2copies if the current edition of International Piano magazine - as a pianist this was an incredible piece of luck. read more

This place has been around since I was a kid. Im now 47yo and I still like to go there to get a couple store items and check out my car magazines. Its kind of a rough place, but the staff are friendly and its convenient..I remember going there with my father to get the info on the ponys. read more

what a dump.the place smells like musty beer. you go there to get a mag that no one else has then next month they dont have it on the shelf,they tell you that they carry it and keep calling and comming in till thay have it. no employee has a clue about any mag they have there always empty shelfs where mags could go but nothing ever does.my suggestion is if you are interested in a mag then you go online and subscribe.(one more note dont buy porn there they put their own prices on then usually 1 or 2 whole dollars more ive seen it there on more than one occasion and have even purchased one) read more