Shakespeare & Co Booksellers

This was the best bookstore in the area. However, it became clear in the year before closing that they were on their way out. They used to have the walls filled with books, and then additional floor-​shelves with books for all class requirements, and popular, non-​academic reading. In 2013, however, they removed the floor-​shelving, and began cutting down on their inventory on the wall shelving. When I visited them before flying out in May, I was picking through a few dozen books left in inventory for a suitable gift. And when I flew back in around late August, they were gone. It’s sad watching the death of a beloved franchise.

Tiny shop, good selection of books.
Shakespeare & Co. is a small shop of perhaps 300 book titles right by Brooklyn College. While the selection is small, it has an array of books on the American and global canon.
Bottom Line: they have friendly service, and I always support a small bookstore!

These people are really rude and stuck up. They had a sign outside for a stock position and low and behold, it’s summer, so I thought I would give it a go. Unfortunately, they did nothing but waste my time by getting a resume together and they apparently had no intention of hiring me. Just as well. I would rather not work for people who think so highly of themselves. Pretty bad business though considering I am a college student and my teacher constantly orders books through them. I refuse to pay their overpriced fees, especially when they want to be rude about hiring people. I would say avoid this place if uptight hipster attitude is not your think.

I like this bookstore a lot. It’s fun to walk around, there is lots of fun stuff to look at and read through. Every time I go in there for something that I NEED, I find tons of stuff that I WANT.
I was desperate to get my boyfriend a copy of Walt Whitman’s «The Leaves of Grass» as soon as humanly possible and was delighted to see that they had several editions in stock at a better price than I had seen when I was window-​shopping for it with my him. Score!
I only hold back on the last star because I wish they offered slightly better (more fair) prices when they buy back my used books. But they’re right by a college, so of-​course they take advantage of that situation.
At any rate, I do love this book store!

I’d give them 4 stars if it wasn’t because they forgot about me. Lets go over pros first: lots of books. If you attend Brooklyn College, you should be able to find books that you need for both school and leisure there, and sometimes for a better price than the college bookstore. Most of the time, the books are very easy to locate, but if not, the staff are also very helpful. Also, they have a website for their availability so you can actually check their stock before raiding the whole store. Now, the cons: I had a bad experience. I desperately needed a study guide for one of my classes. I didn’t really expect them to have it, but I decided since I was in the vicinity I’d drop by and check. It would have been fine if it was just a no. Instead, I got a very excited, «we’ll order it for you!!». So that got me excited right back! lol. So instead of going to the city to buy my book, I waited as I was told (just a few days), since they said once the book gets there, they’ll call me. I’m sure you’ve figured out by now. My book never got there, so I ended up going into the city a week later anyway, and still I checked with them in case they just lost my number. Nope. No book. Its been a month. The book never came. So, long story short, don’t depend on them to order for you. lol Just buy what they have, and go elsewhere to get what you need if they don’t have it. Don’t wait, even if you had the time like I did. I’ll still buy books there, just no more orders from me. No siree.

Books are books and the Strand is cheaper but this is the only bookstore in central Brooklyn, they have more non-​corporate finds than big chains like Borders (queer theory, tons of art books, a few obscure titles mixed in) and the staff here is fantastic: knowledgeable, smart, never rushed or brusque and always in a good mood, cracking jokes and making conversation. I prefer this location to their location in Manhattan for this reason.
Why am I writing a short non-​review just to say that the staff is good? Because the people working at a retail business make a huge difference in the shopping experience and making sure you find what you were looking for. Whatever the management is doing to keep them so happy and helpful (not micromanaging them? giving them a discount? flexible scheduling?) they should keep doing it.
I hope this place never hires a corporate micro-​manager who beats them down and doesn’t let the staff have a personality. Customers like personality!

They always have the books you need. Never too busy for someone to help you find what your looking for. And if they don’t have it they will either order it for you and ship it or tell you where you can get it. Very helpful great customer service!

I’m a local merchant so I decided to support the local books store by Brooklyn College. This is their new and larger location and I think they have finally settled in. My daughter needed a non fiction book for her book report and I finally ventured into this shop. The place is indeed much larger than the previous location around the corner. The aisles were spacious and easy to move around.
The staff was amazing. As soon as I asked for a book, two floor persons spang into action and seached the store for my title. They did not have the title I was looking for but, they helped me locate a substitute. They also had a very large staff that seemed to be busy doing other errends but all asked if I needed help, This place sure knows how to cater to the customers.
It seems they do most of the business from the college with buying and selling textbooks. And even though they were light on inventory, they were well organized and very professional.

Yay for a cute &cozy bookstore conveniently located close to school and across Starbucks :)! The store itself is a little small, but there’s more space than you think. Everything is organized logically too. Staff is ridiculously friendly! When I first walked in I thought they were all being sarcastic with the enthusiasm. They are very helpful with getting the right textbooks as well as making recommendations on fiction/​non fiction books based on what you like. Not the kind of place that is full of book selling zombies that hate their jobs.

I should probably, in the interest of full disclosure, admit that I used to work here. Well so what! I worked here because I wanted to– & I stayed because I kept wanting to. Shakespeare & Co. epitomizing the vital, thriving, but endangered independent bookshop. Spend you dollars here if you like having a bookstore in the neighborhood– the next closest one is, no joke, Park Slope.

Cool place.
I came here to buy a textbook and got a used one that was practically brand new! Awesome, was still a little cheaper than other places.
Staff was friendly, they dont tell prices over the phone though so go in.
On another occasion I returned a book I bought online and got a full refund, no problems at all.
Ask for David.

Yes, they do frequently have polls going on! The staff is friendly and easy-​going. The store itself is cozy and with an interesting array of books. I always find something amazing in here. I usually end up engaged in an interesting conversation and the staff has some great recommendations! They also buy back books at great prices. (Generally better than the nearby college bookstore!) Oh! And they are great for special orders. I tried ordering a book at a larger store and the told me they couldn’t get a copy in but Shakespeare & Co. had it in three days.
I cannot recommend this place more highly! I always stop by when I am in the neighborhood. Enjoy!

This place has a very homey, the staff is constantly joking with each other and the customers, but still finds a way to be professional and helpful.
This place is small, but they get people in and out pretty fast. The prices are reasonable, and they buy back books.
p.s i guess there is a poll everyday, cuz while the guy rang me up asked me «What is more scary 1 clown or a pack of 12 clowns»? I said 1 clown alone on the A train eating Mc D’s at 11:30 pm, which i have seen. This started a whole another discussion, which makes the people waiting in line laugh. This place knows how to keep the customers happy.