An Ode to Used Bookstores: A Profile on Some Buffalo-Area Small Businesses

Welcome once again loyal sugar-junkies! You might remember that I recently went off my beaten path of doing movie reviews (though I AM still doing plenty of those, for proof, feel free to check the INDEX) and published a hub on Ryan Miller’s 2010 Team USA Olympic goalie mask. You might also remember that the aforementioned hub looked just a little bit…different from the rest of my work. For my loyal readers (all BOTH of them) that are unfamiliar with HubPages, I think an explanation is due.

Remember my Universal Classic Monsters hub? I mentioned that I like to be challenged. In the several DAYS since then, my enjoyment of a good challenge has not changed. Scouring HubPages for new and exciting challenges led me to the HubMob. It’s best to think of HubMob like a roundtable. Every week, there’s a topic and you write an article that fits the theme of said topic, and it becomes part of the mob.

I think HubMob is going to be a great way to continue to challenge myself and get me writing about new topics. I write all this for two reasons: number one, it’s important to know why yours truly, the self-appointed Master of Pastries, has begun to stray from his comfort zone, and number two, I’m having a hard time thinking of what to write for this week’s mob which is supposed to focus on small businesses. To say the topic is not in my area of expertise would be like saying brain surgery is not the area of expertise of a stock-boy at Wal-Mart. Still, I figured I should make a commitment to challenging myself and I think I’ve struck on a decent topic.

Rather than tell you anything particularly USEFUL about small business like, how to start one, the benefits of owning one, knowing when to sell yours, what the hidden costs are, etc, I thought I’d just highlight a couple small businesses in the Buffalo, NY (my hometown) area. Specifically, I’m going to highlight a few locally owned and operated bookstores that I occasionally stop in at. Let it be known, yours truly is a sucker for used book stores. When something costs less than five bucks, I’m so willing to plop down my cash that it’s a little bit scary.

Old Editions: 74 East Huron Street, Buffalo, NY14203

The subtitle on Old Editions’ website is “We’re no ordinary bookstore!” Talk about an understatement! Old Editions, as the name implies, does not simply sell used books, no…they sell first editions, signed books, pieces of history, in other words, collector’s items. If you’re looking for a bargain bookstore, you’ve come to the wrong place. If you’re looking for that certain special something, the item that will start a conversation, then this is the place to come. Quick story, I once stopped in out of curiosity (I’d driven by MANY times) and figured I’d hunt down the Stephen King area (as I do when I enter almost ANY bookstore). I didn’t realize Old Editions was a “first-edition” store and when I picked up a copy of The Stand, I almost dropped it when I looked at the price. There’s some really cool stuff in here…tax return time is rolling around, if you want to do something a little zany with your money, stop in to Old Editions.

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Rust Belt Books: 202 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY14201

I love Rust Belt Books. Located in the Allentown area of downtown Buffalo (one of my favorite areas of the city of Buffalo), Rust Belt Books mostly sells used books. They have a few rarities and first editions and things of that nature and occasionally some new books, but if you’re looking for a used book store in Buffalo, I say look no further. Rust Belt Books (like most small bookstores) has a staff that is very friendly and will converse with you as you browse their selection. The atmosphere inside is great, there’s some light food available and although I’ve never attended one, they have poetry and reading sessions and other events of that nature. I particularly love the atmosphere in this place as it almost feels like a step back in time, which (unlike most of Allentown) complements the architecture of the building itself perfectly.

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Talking Leaves: 3158 Main Street, Buffalo, NY14214

Ok Buffalonians, let me have it. “It’s not a used book store,” you’ll say. “Anything you can find there you can find more easily in a Barnes and Noble or Borders,” you’ll argue. “The pricing isn’t even that great,” you’ll whine. “Shut up,” I’ll say. Talking Leaves is one of the more unique bookstores in Buffalo almost BECAUSE of all those common complaints. It’s NOT a used bookstore. You CAN find stuff there in Borders. The pricing ISN’T insanely good (though it is competitive). This store is unique because it’s a holdover (of sorts) from a bygone age when there WERE no Borders or Barnes and Noble stores clogging up every mall and shopping plaza. This IS your grandfather’s bookstore. It also is conveniently located near the University at Buffalo, and though it might not be as cheap as say, eBay or Half.com, you can get textbooks here for a bit cheaper than at the University Bookstore. There’s also a cool atmosphere, which I’m a fan of. Just try and not go in during the first few days of classes, it’s usually swamped to the gills.

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The Book Corner: 1801 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY14305

The Book Corner might not be in BUFFALO, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great place. It’s absolutely HUGE and filled to the gills with used, rare and collectible books. The two-story building is really something else, and it almost feels like a library inside. It’s a neat place if you’re ever in the area (perhaps if you need to go to court in Niagara Falls, since it’s right next to the MunicipalBuilding!).

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Normally, I’d try to give you at least one more, but it’s been a while since I have stopped in at any of these places. I don’t read quite as much as I used to (and I hate myself for that), and the above places are the only ones I’ve ever visited semi-regularly. However, there are a LOT more old-timey, used, and hard-to-find bookstores in the Buffalo, NY area and here’s a taste of what they are:

Paperback Trading Post: 2292 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY14210

Not only is it a used book store, it has all of its titles cataloged. If you’re looking for something specific and don’t see it, just as the staff to see if they have it in store so you can know whether your search will be worthwhile!

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Second Reader: 1419 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY14216

Second Reader gets great reviews from its patrons, specifically for the owner.

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Oracle Junction: 2964 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY14217

Oracle Junction has been in business since 1984, has a collection of over 50,000 titles and has nearly 10,000 of those titles for sale online.

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Night of Pan Books: 179 Norwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY14222

I was unable to find anything about this place, so it’s YOUR adventure to check out!

I’m sure that every single one of these places (even the ones I’ve never been to) are just FULL of treasures waiting to be uncovered. Small businesses like used book stores are places that I always love to visit whenever I can. There is an aura and a feeling when you step through the door that sets you at ease and you feel that even if you don’t buy a single thing, the owner (who is usually working) is happy to have you stop in his or her store. The feel of a weathered book in your hands, a book that was once loved by someone…beats the hell out of a brand new, cold and lifeless book. You almost want to flip through every one of them just to see if maybe the past owner wrote something useful or funny in the margins or maybe left behind that dollar bill he or she used as a bookmark. I just love the warm-inviting “come and stay a while” feeling of one of these places…

I by no means am bashing the Barnes and Noble or Borders stores, they are great places in their own right and if you’re an avid enough reader to have your back-catalog of reading satisfied and you’re only looking for new releases, then those stores are still probably your best bet. HOWEVER, I would encourage everyone to check out their local used book stores and if they happen to be in the Buffalo area, one of the ones I’ve listed here.

Happy reading!