Beantown Books

I was really looking forward to visiting the Andover Bookstore and decided to take a road trip with my daughter from Western Mass. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t quite live up to my expectations. When we arrived, the store was quiet, but we weren’t greeted or acknowledged, which felt a bit off. As we browsed, we weren’t asked if we needed help, and the overall selection was quite limited. The bookstore itself is much smaller than I anticipated. At checkout, the interaction was minimal. I was asked if I was a book club member, and when I said no, there was no follow-up or offer to join or learn more. I still purchased two books because I believe in supporting small, independent bookstores but sadly, I left feeling underwhelmed. I’m glad I visited once, but I likely won’t make the trip again anytime soon.

I forever love this bookstore and not just because (full disclosure) they sell my books. Sarah and Caroline and the whole team are so sweet and knowledgeable. I brought some coworkers there yesterday because they wanted to see the oldest continually owned bookstore, and they were thrilled -- Sarah and Caroline both gave solid recommendations and had a lively conversation with us.

Quaint and beautiful small bookstore. Has a relatively big selection for its size. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Having lived in communities without a single bookstore, I'm beyond pleased to have a number of indie book sellers within walking distance. Andover Bookstore has a lot to love in a relatively small space. They also carry beautiful greeting cards featuring images of our town, so head there now, stock up, and send your friends and family a handwritten note instead of an AI generated email. Be sure to follow them for special events too.