I have walked, driven or taken the bus past Hibberd’s Books (1306 Walnut Street) countless times during my years in Philadelphia, but until today, I never walked in. I was in the neighborhood on another errand, and when I was done started wandering around the block, instead of heading straight home. Growing up in Portland, I always frequently used bookstores, but the ones here in Philly always seem a little spooky and so I haven’t made it a practice to visit them. I walked up and took a look at the two racks of books on display on the sidewalk, before heading into the store.

Going in there is like traveling to another time or place. I feel both fortunate and a little stunned that this bookstore has survived into the 21st Century. You walk in to a room lined with wooden shelves. The sections are marked by fading hand lettered signs indicating that a shelf is stocked with “Literature,” “Local History” or “World History” (to name a few). The staff amounted to two men who quietly went on with their tasks, ignoring me until one of them sensed I had a question (without my having said a word) and turned his face towards me. When I asked if they had a particular book in stock, he didn’t turn to a computer to tell him, but walked over to the shelf where it would be, looked quickly and sadly shook his head. The section of children’s books was my favorite. There were rows and rows of books that were, for the most part, older than me. I wanted to have a seat on the carpet and carefully go through each one of them, but I didn’t have the time.

I left with one book, an old copy of Joan Didion’s “Salvator,” for which I paid $1.59. They are having a 70% off sale right now, so if you like old books, you are bound to find a bargain.

Related posts:

1. Books are good for much, even meeting new people
2. Famulus Books
3. Brickbat Books!
4. Robin’s Books Bargain Store to Close
5. My face is not your toy.