109 South Street, Bennington, VT

*Updated in July 2021

The Bennington Bookshop recently moved to a new location right off the main four corners intersection in the heart of Bennington, and I recently returned to update this review with new photos and details of the new spot. My first impression? It’s a bright, organized, and welcoming store with much more space, restrooms (always a plus in a bookshop for those long browsing sessions), and a much larger selection of books. Just like their last location, it feels like a miniature indie version of a Barnes & Noble, in that it features all new books and hits all the major categories and styles. But it has just enough local flavor to make it unique to this particular town and region, too. Plus, it’s close to a handful of cafes and restaurants I really enjoy, so it’s always a must whenever I pass through Bennington.

The setup upon walking into the new store is very similar to the old: a big front window looking out onto downtown Bennington with a big display of new releases, recent bestsellers, and the best current interest titles. There’s also a selection of regional authors, trail guides and maps, and gifts up front, and I picked up a couple cards for upcoming birthdays, as well as puzzle for next winter’s inevitable hibernation period. The check-out desk is also up front now, rather than in the rear of the store in its old location, and I like that better. You get to meet and greet the owners and they feel more centralized in the shop.

Moving deeper into the new space I found many more displays and shelves for all the major categories of nonfiction, from biographies, cookbooks, poetry, essays, history, politics, true crime, the occult (ghost stories, mostly, with a mix of local lore and regional legends), humor, nature, memoirs, and more. There’s a whole wall of general fictions, along with smaller sections for fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, graphic novels, and mystery/crime, the latter including titles by local crime author Archer Mayor. I grabbed a short story anthology I never heard of before that featured stories base don the artwork of Edward Hopper, and included Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, and many other big names. What a find!

Toward the rear they have a large and diverse children’s section, with everything from picture books, first readers, chapter books, middle grade, and YA, with educational books as well as entertaining titles and bestselling novels for kids. They had some toys and gifts mixed in, and unlike their previous location, this new spot has a back door and rear windows, letting in bright light throughout he store. You’ll find the restrooms about halfway back into the shop, along with a water fountain and a fountain to refill larger water bottles, which was cool to see.

Overall the new location is a major upgrade, with more space for books, for browsing, for relaxing, and you have easier access to some of the other great shops and cafes near the four corners (we grabbed some tacos just a couple doors down at The Avocado Pit, highly recommended!).

Atmosphere — A clean and bright shop that has a little bit of everything. This store remains a pillar of downtown Bennington.

Quality — The books are all new and in great shape.

Quantity — The new location is bigger, and it feels like there are many more books on display. Some sections are appropriately modest, but there’s a lot for kids, mystery fans, and those interested in general fiction and the major nonfiction categories.

Diversity — An average amount of diversity. You’re going to hit the big names here, with a few deep cuts mixed in. You’ll certainly find more VT and regional titles here.

Affordability — New books for new prices.

Amenities — A couple chairs, some gifts and postcards, and new restrooms, but if you’re looking to spend time relaxing I suggest one of the nearby restaurants or coffee shops.

Location — Located just a couple doors down from the four corners intersection on South Street. Go check out their new location!

Customer Service — The staff were very polite and helpful.

Overall — With more space and windows on both ends of the shop, browsing in this bright and organized store is a delight. I highly recommend it if you’re looking to support a local indie while hunting down a new bestseller. It’s just right for a place like Bennington.