Boulder Book Store Review

I love the boulder bookstore. The employees are pretty nice and helpful. I really enjoy even just walking around to see if anything catches my eye

Awesome book store. Excellent place to wander around, good recommendations and friendly staff

It's rare that a situation is so upsetting that it leaves me feeling shaky. Such was the case today at the Boulder Book Store.

Since the $6.50 candy bar I purchased at the Book Store was rancid, I wanted to return it. I had one other bad experience returning a chocolate bar there a few years ago. In that case, the chocolate was almost like dust. Clearly, this was not how the bar was supposed to be, but I got a voice message from a lady after I had returned the bar lecturing me about chocolate. I assume she had no idea that I spent many years reviewing chocolate and spent time as a pastry chef before that. I know a little bit about chocolate.

I'm the first to admit that I have a sensitive palate, but I also know that a lot of people eat rancid products, especially nuts, without really noticing that anything is off. Anyone who has any knowledge of the culinary world knows how quickly unsaturated oils in nuts can oxidize, though. It happens A LOT. I happen to be sensitive to the taste. I can't stand it. Some people don't notice it as much.

For the record, I have returned only three bars of chocolate or carob in my lifetime, this being the third. I do not return products if I simply don't like them, but I will return an item that's bad.

This experience was bizarre. The three employees who were there initially were nice, but when they called for someone in the chocolate department to come take care of my return, I had a feeling there was going to be a problem. After the lecture I got a few years ago, I assumed it might be something similar. Instead, the lady who approached me had an arrogant air right from the start. She grabbed the candy and shoved some in her mouth and, after a total of .3 seconds, declared she didn't taste anything wrong. Hey, have at it. I'm not touching your crummy bar that tastes like it was left in the sewer. Honestly, after she gobbled up a few more bites and, in her condescending way, said it was fine, sort of shrugging her shoulders as if to say, "too bad" I had had enough. What am I supposed to do now, take the bar back after you pawed it and and ate your fill? I walked out without the candy that I had purchased or my money.

Well, one thing is clear, I will never buy from the Boulder Book Store again. I don't need a worthless lecture about what you think tastes OK, and I don't need the pompous attitude. I hope you enjoyed the stale candy you shoved in your mouth, the one I paid for if you recall. You may think that kind of behavior makes you better than others, but all it really does is make you look like a mean fool. Congrats on losing a customer, though.

Not quite Powells, but a large selection of new and used books

I really do appreciate a vintage book store; well as a good sale. This one's off some Harry Potter ish.
I went in the afternoon, it was packed. I recommend early morning or late afternoon. Also, this place is multi-level, which means a huge selection for those looking for something specific.

Great coffee/snack bar with your read. Great to be able to see and touch what you like to read

Had a great experience with Boulder Book Store on the Pearl Street Mall. Super nice, friendly staff. Both in person and over the phone when reserving spots for the book signing. A great selection of books, a cozy place to be. The book signing atmosphere was perfect - intimate but not cramped. Love this place.

Always loved going here. There are so many types of books you can find in every corner. Seriously do yourself a favor and see what kind of neat gifts they have!

One of the best bookstores in the country, bibliophiles should not miss.

I love this bookstore, they have what I needed or they will order it and I will have it in a few days normally. The staff always is helpful and full of recommendations.

Didn't expect all the books. Felt like some kind of library, which reminds me of the Dewey decimal system which IS A SCAM. Don't trust it.

My go to bookstore. A great community small business with people who can really help you. They do a book buy back also. Don t miss the basement great selection of Colorado local books and guides.

Hands down one of the best bookstores I've ever been!

Awesome book shop! Great selection and love the crazy layout!

I could live in this place! The book selections are so interesting, I discovered 2 Ethiopian women authors here. I found my spot. It has several floors and nooks to sit and read in. Naropa books are sold here too. The authors coming here for talks are right down my alley. Love, love and love some more

Great bookstore and selection of books, especially in today's e-reader market. However, please keep politics out of Corporate America business. I understand that I'm in Boulder, but I don't want a "RESIST" sticker, and I don't deserve a dirty look when I strongly refuse. I'm the customer!!! BTW...what are we supposed to "RESIST" anyway? A great economy, 3.9% unemployment rate, 9% on my 401k this past year, N and S Korea peace talks, getting out of Iran deal (who by the way is now using Obama's funds to build missiles), revamping bogus trade deals? Yeah...sounds like horrible times!!

Lovely local bookstore. They bring in authors. Help with special orders without hesitation. But most of all their selection is quite big.

This reminds me of the bookstore from my childhood. This is an incredibly bookstore to rival Barnes and Noble as well as Amazon.

Always come here when in boulder. A classic. Also, love their sale tables.

The staff is friendly and helpful and we can always find great books and gifts.

I don't think I could leave this book store without a book in hand! I always find something great to read here. Plus they have given me a chance to meet some of my favorite authors. Just check their website and I'm sure you will find some awesome events scheduled.

Went here every day of our visit to Boulder great kids section good selection of outdoor /adventure books

Beautiful book store. Nice selections. Good prices. Since Im a Stephen King fan and Boulder plays such a big part in the SK universe, I was hoping to find something extra special here but... nope.

Overpriced. Limited to (Boulder)-popular volumes. I found one book on my wishlist of over 400 books for five times the cost almost anywhere else. Shop elsewhere is my recommendation.

Fairly large with a great selection of books and gifts.

Trendy book store right on Pearl Street. I love the cozy feel and multiple levels.

I used to love Boulder Bookstore, but it is getting pretty frustrating to shop here. Between the loud customers and crowded conditions, it is hard to browse much of anything. Additionally, we've gone there (as our main destination, not just shopping Pearl Street) three times lately and have been denied entry every time because of an event. On the most recent visit, there were only half a dozen people at the event which blocked access to the entire upstairs! I had a $40 art book that I needed to purchase as well as three or four $12 novels, but could not even enter the room to get them. Meanwhile, it looked as though BBS had collected about $25 in ticket fees to their event. This probably does not bode well in the long term. Management did not seem interested in our feedback as longtime customers or empathise with our frustration, so we took our business elsewhere. So much for shopping locally.

This is the coolest, and biggest bookstore I have ever been too. Multiple floors of shelves upon shelves, I felt like I was in a library-this store has everything. I loved that they also had literature themed toys and other paraphernalia. Definitely worth a visit.

Best Bookstore in Boulder, I put it on par with Tattered Cover in Denver. Used book sales and purchases, three floors worth of books, and a great atmosphere.

One of my favorite bookstores...it has anything you are looking for and it is beautiful!

This is a very unique store that has a great selection of books in the heart of downtown Boulder. If you like books, be prepared to spend some time here exploring all the offerings.

A quaint book store with so many titles. Has a lot of character. Great place to wander through as you explore Pearl Street!

Beautiful decorations and a great selection of literary gifts and t shirts

Great book store for all ages. Not stroller friendly but has a good children's section.

Huge selection of books with kind people. Also contains a large section appealing to liberal and LGBTQ communities.

So many wonderful books. Great prices. Customer service is friendly. Just what you expect from Boulder.
Met the love of my life on the top floor. What a beautiful way to start the New Year.

The boulder book store is personally my favorite place in the pearl street mall. I love how organized and well maintained this bookstore is. In such a well educated town as boulder it is always enjoyable seeing their new content and talking with other customers!

The is one of the best bookstores I've ever been to. Excellent selection of travel books and magazines.

Just visited again and raised my rating to 5 stars even in the pandemic. I m in love with how knowledgeable the staff is and willing to chat about the books. Books are arranged in logical order. Even the poetry! I love this place. Best bookstore this side of the USA! Recommendations are thoughtful. Selection is up to date. There are clever little kitschy items. The children s section is extensive. Wish I lived here!

A staple of pearl st. A absolute massive selection of books, great atmosphere to read as well.

Amazing place to go! Truly magical and worth every penny for the books, and novelties that I bought. Thank you

I'm a Kindle guy but there is something so great about browsing books IRL. Boulder Bookstore is large enough to have a good selection of everything and hosts frequent readings and signings.

I was surprised at how large this store is. Fun to look through, and some really great deals. Both new/used.

I love, love, love this place! They are local and independent and offer everything book related that you are looking for: books (of course!), cards, magnets, and kids toys. They sell used books here, too, which is a bonus if you are a book lover like me! This is a great store to get lost in for awhile. Visit here to find your next great read!

My husband and I happened to find this bookstore while visiting Pearl Street. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised and extremely overjoyed to have found this place. We went inside and was expecting to spend a few minutes and then leave. Boy were we wrong. No, we spent two hours here. We were completely in awe and ended up leaving with so many books that I cannot wait to get home to read. We will definitely be making a special trip back to Boulder Bookstore on our next trip to Colorado.

Great bookstore with a wide selection. There is a fun section up front with recommendations from the staff.

This place is really fun to wander around. The building's architecture makes it feel like you're lost on an adventure discovering books. There's a great deal of selection here, the ambiance is fantastic, and honestly if you're just walking around Pearl Street it's a pleasant place to peruse.

Enormous collection. Great old-fashioned bookstore. Nice place to hangout, check out some newer material. Fairly decent used books collection as well. The traffic was directed one way due to COVID so it was a bit tricky at times to understand how to get around the different sections.

One of the last great bookstores. Excellent! Viva La

Hidden gem, wish I had discovered this place sooner!

Great book store a lot of different collection books vN be found.

Such an aesthetic book shop! They have so many varieties and the customer service is wonderful

Great book store cheap just amazing loved ittttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

always support local, especially when it is this amazing..3 stories of books..I want to stay here all day

Very well set up to deal with social distancing and sanitation. Walked in and found 6 new books to take home on the first floor alone!

I visited a couple of years ago and thought I had liked this bookshop. On my next trip to Boulder, I made a point of stopping by. I d only been there a few minutes when I remembered how incredibly snotty the staff is. I m in favor of supporting independent booksellers but for the money, I d rather go to B&N and feel welcome.

3 floors! You could spend all day and still not see everything!

Quirky, independent book store. It's great they have author readings. Great if you like fiction books. Less good for other, non-fiction, categories.

Great local bookstore that offers everything and more that the reader's heart desires.

Fantastic bookstore, very unique and small store feeling while being incredibly big for a Pearl Street Mall shop.

I am so happy that this store stays alive in the era of Amazon and does such a fine job of everything. Keep it going!

crowded but fun book selection. I liked the 2nd floor

Terrible. Please don't shop here. The Trident Bookstore staff alone earns them 7 stars.

Nice book selection, I only wish it didn't smell so musty

Great bookstore with a large assortment of books, jewelry and other interesting gifts. Finding a shop this unique is rarer in the aftermath of Amazon's dismantling of the retail bookstore experience, which is still enjoyable.