Book Stores near Essex Junction, VT

“Friendly staff. Love the BLM sign and the sign highlighting womens history month. It gives a welcoming all inclusive vibe right down to the books they choose to put on display!”

“Great bookstore with very friendly staff. We stopped in Burlington on our way to Maine and decided to check out this bookstore. It was great! The staff was super friendly and recommended places for us to check out while in Vermont and the book selection was great. Highly recommend for any book lovers in Burlington!”

“This was an impulse stop as we were crawling along Route 7 on our way back from vacation. So glad we did! Their selection of books was well curated, and the staff was so kind and helpful to our children! Only “problem” was we spent a lot of money there! ?”

“When I was there, it was early on a weekday and there weren't a lot of people. The Starbucks was one of the nicer ones I've seen with a fireplace and a wall of seating... Plus places with easy access for phone charging. They had a surprisingly large manga section. The only place I saw to sit down though was the Starbucks. The Starbucks was out of coconut milk, but they gave me almond milk instead and promised they would remake it if I didn't like it. So that's a point. I also got the spinach and artichoke quiche, which a lot of Barnes and Noble don't seem to have anymore...plus it was cooked all the way through which was nice... So another point. That often doesn't happen at the BN Starbucks.

Atmosphere... Very nice and quiet...it did need the roof repaired in a few places but luckily no books had been damaged. I did see a spider web on one of the book signs, which made me wonder how often people got to that corner. This could be a strike, but honestly, that's all easily fixable and shouldn't be held against the store.

All in all, I liked it and would go back. If I were to make any suggestions to management, it would simply be to add some chairs in for people to sit and look at the books. The longer people linger, the more likely they are to buy a book they are looking at. I'm a perfect example of that. I would have bought a book if my butt hadn't gone numb from sitting on the hard Starbucks chairs or the floor where I parked myself to check out the books I thought looked interesting.”

“Great store, nice people, a little cluttered. My biggest complaint is that they put the price stickers on the record sleeve which is a big no no, I bought 3 record from them on my trip to Burlington, and one had no price tag but both of the others had them right on the sleeve. This would be 5 stars if they would stop doing this. I saw in the other reviews I’m not the only one to bring this up, maybe the owner should listen.”

“My wife and I stopped by Crow Bookshop on Church Street in Burlington for our first visit and I am happy to say it made a charming first impression. Nestled in the pedestrian-only stretch of Church Street Marketplace, it’s a cozy gem that feels both modern and vintage, with hardwood floors, brick walls, rolling ladders, and window-filled storefronts.

Crow offers a balanced mix of new, used, and overstock titles across a wide variety of genres, fiction, classics, cookbooks, sci‑fi, gardening, graphic novels, psychology, Vermont-themed works, children’s books, and more. While I didn’t find the specific books I was hoping for, my wife was thrilled to discover several titles she’d been eyeing.

The staff were friendly and attentive, casual yet helpful without hovering. We didn’t have to hunt them down; they greeted us at checkout and offered assistance when asked. The relaxed, personable approach added to the welcoming feel of the shop.

Pricing is reasonable: used and remaindered books are typically priced at around half cover, and new hardcovers carry a 20% discount - children’s hardcovers get 15% off. We found the discounts generous and the mix of new and used made it easy to shop within budget.

Don’t expect sprawling aisles, Crow has two long rooms, including a dedicated children’s nook filled with picture books and early readers. The shop feels intimate yet organized, with staff picks and local-interest shelves adding a thoughtful touch. A small stage in the back hints at occasional events.

Crow Bookshop is a delightful, well-curated indie bookstore. Though I missed out on my haul, my wife’s finds more than made up for it, and the visit itself was a pleasant experience. With great selection, solid pricing, and friendly service, it’s a must-stop when wandering Church Street.”

“There's something special about college tours. We've purchased a lot of UVM gear and haven't even committed yet! Everyone is so happy here ? This store carries everything your student will need.”

“Love this place! Underrated for their selection of antiques. I found a beautiful vintage wooden stamp and had my daughter buy it for me for Christmas. The owner clearly knows how to find unique and good quality items!”

“A great spot to stop in and pick up some catamount gear, state stickers and even some local VT maple syrup store is usually pretty quiet and no one bothers you so take the time to walk through and definitely grab a few souvenirs! It’s also right on church street parking free on Sundays !”