Strand Book Store

Strand Book Store is an independent bookstore known for its extensive selection of new, used and rare books. The store’s multi-floor space includes fiction, nonfiction, art, photography, literature, children’s books and other categories, with used books forming a substantial part of the inventory. Strand also sells literary gifts and hosts an impressive slate of author events and other programming. The store is a destination for readers everywhere, with people traveling from all over to explore the famed “18 miles of books.” No matter which genre you prefer, you’ll find plenty of new and old favorites at this iconic bookstore. Strand Book Store has expanded in recent years, adding locations beyond its original Greenwich Village store.

Celebrated as a 2025 Winner for Book Store, this literary landmark continues to captivate readers with its unmatched charm and history. Strand Book Store has long been a haven for book lovers, offering more than 18 miles of new, used, and rare books across every imaginable genre. Since its founding in 1927, it has stood as a cornerstone of New York’s literary culture, drawing locals and visitors alike to browse its iconic shelves and discover hidden treasures. Beyond books, the store’s events, author signings, and curated gifts make it a vibrant community hub where the written word thrives. For generations, this beloved bookstore has proven that reading is not just a pastime—it’s an experience.

Born in 1927 over on Fourth Avenue, on what was then referred to as “Book Row,” the Strand Book Store began as a modest used book store. The owner, Ben Bass, was a young 25-year-old entrepreneur who possessed a passion for reading. His goal was to create a place where book lovers would come together. The store got its name from a street in London where avant-garde writers once gathered. The Strand became the spot for writers to come together, sell their books, and discover books to purchase. Back in the day “Book Row” spanned six city blocks and was the home to 48 bookstores. Today, the Strand, a Greenwich Village staple, is the only remaining store of Book Row’s past.

There’s nothing like getting lost in a mystery novel, feeling butterflies while reading a romance paperback and feeling informed after perusing a fascinating science book. New Yorkers know the value of a great book, and they have selected the legendary Strand Book Store as their favorite book shop. Offering a selection of new, used, rare and out-of-print books, Strand Book Store is the place to discover that book you can’t find anywhere else or one you never knew you needed. This independent book shop hosts three floors of reads: from fiction and poetry on the first floor to graphic novels on the second to nonfiction on the underground floor. Rumor has it that the store contains 18 miles of books, so any reader will find something for their liking!