97 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY

I had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful bookshop at the height of summer, the streets of Cold Spring bustling, the roads leading into town full of hikers, almost a parade of people, and the shop was just as busy. It made for an exciting browsing experience, and it had the feeling as if this was THE place to be on such a gorgeous day. Now, months later as I reflect back, I think of how the shop must feel the same even if the summer crowds have gone. The leaves are falling, the heaters are turned on, and I imagine the shop feels just as vital: a warm, cozy place to find that next great read.

Painted bright blue on the outside and with a vista of the rocky shores of the Hudson River along the front desk, the store is colorful and welcoming. It’s mostly one large room, or two if you consider the back area of the store a separate space, and in a way it is since it’s mostly (though not all) dedicated to younger readers. Along with benches, chairs, and gifts, there’s children’s picture books, chapter readers, MG and YA, and also has self-help, music, TV/film, poetry, and more.

The front area is mostly dedicated to new releases, literary titles, memoirs and bios, cookbooks, guides to natural examinations of our region and country, mysteries, graphic novels, and modern nonfiction covering an array of forward-thinking and inclusive titles examining gender, race, sex, political, and social aspects of our modern age. There are sections for indie presses and New York Review books as well, and the shop feels uniquely curated for new stories, new ideas, and new voices.

Mixed in with the best and the newest literary titles and selected staff picks are all manner of smaller gift books, bags, t-shirts, maps, stickers, and more. The shop is the sort any small town can be immensely proud of—well curated, well stocked, and covering as wide a range as any shop anywhere, with a perfect balance of small-town charm and big city intellectualism and artistry. I don’t pass through Cold Spring as often as I’d like, but I can assure you I will be stopping in here every time I do. Highly recommended.

Atmosphere — A bright, bustling shop full of new books, interesting perspectives, and unique gifts. The sleek wood floor and shelves with the bright paint job out front make for an inviting space.

Quality — New books with great staff selections.

Quantity — They have a load of books packed into just the two rooms, making as much use of the space as possible.

Diversity — This shop hits most of the usual categories, a little bit of everything and a nice selection of children’s new nonfiction, literature, and cookbooks.

Affordability — The books were all very fairly priced for new books.

Amenities — There are some stools and benches, gifts as well, but you’re there for the books.

Location — Right on the main street downtown, amongst all manner of cafes, restaurants, and stores. It’s a fun little town, and very busy in the summer season.

Customer Service — There were some staffers at the front desk, as busy helping.

Overall — This shop is a pleasure, bright and well-stocked with everything a small-town bookstore would need to keep residents informed, entertained, and coming back for more. A welcomed addition to the treasure trove of Hudson Valley bookstores that have sprung up over the last decade.