I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love bookstores. I am so grateful I have passed that love down to my children. We are a huge reading family and you can often find us at local libraries maxing out our library cards, but there is nothing like the smell of a bookstore and a good latte. Whenever we are exploring somewhere new my kid’s always want to find a bookstore. They could sit and read for hours in one.
We have rounded up our five favorite bookshops in Central Mass to visit (with or without the kiddos) below:
1| The Blessing Barn Bookstore and Cafe (Mendon)
At The Blessing Barn Bookstore and Cafe, you’ll find new and used books, plants, candles, coffee, baked goods, and more! The bookstore is dedicated to empowering and equipping their talented friends with intellectual disabilities by creating employment opportunities.
We really enjoyed visiting this bookstore! They had a great selection of books, an area to sit and work, and also an area in the children’s section to sit and read. On Fridays and Sundays, they also have The Happy Eats food trailer with great lunch options!
2| A Great Notion Books (Auburn)
We were able to check out this cute indie bookshop with tons of options for used and new books for all ages. They also have children’s programs, book clubs, and community/private events. In addition to books, the storefront is filled with handcrafted treasures from local artists. We can’t wait to head back to this cute little shop!
3| Root & Press (Worcester)
Root & Press just recently moved to their new location on Shrewsbury Street. They also have an in-house café serving breakfast, lunch, and more that includes many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
4| Little Bee Bookshop (Ayer)
This cozy bookshop is the perfect stop to go with little ones. It is filled with gently used children’s books and a small selection of new ones. Their focus is mainly on literature for children ages 0-18, but they also have a little corner for grownups. They partner with talented local artisans and small businesses that offer a unique selection of gifts. Some of our contributors at Central Mass Mom really enjoy this bookstore as well as their storytimes for the littles.
5| The Silver Unicorn Bookstore (Acton)
The Silver Unicorn Bookstore is an independent bookstore located in the heart of West Acton Village. One of our contributors loves that it is within walking distance of cute shops, cafes, and a great little ice cream shop. It is a bookstore for all ages. It’s been recently redone and they have lots of online and in-person events including local authors. They have great recommendations for people and point out their staff favorites. They have their free 2nd Annual Kids Graphic Novel Festival coming up on April 20th.
Bonus: An Unlikely Story (Plainville)
This one is a little out of the way off of 495, but it is worth the trip! This indie bookstore is two levels with a café downstairs and an event space upstairs. We had an awesome trip recently visiting its bookstore with our cousins (yes, my sister and I brought 7 book-loving kids to a bookstore – call us crazy). The store has this beautiful homey 1800s feel to it because they have kept the integrity of the building as it is a historical location. The cafe on the main level offers lattes, coffee, salads, and more.
Do you have any favorite bookshops in Central Mass to add to the list? Let us know in the comments or tag us on @centralmassmom.
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