Bindlestiff Books

Philadelphia, United States

4.2

Open now

14 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 215-662-5780
Website:
bindlestiffbooks.wordpress.com
Address:
4530 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19143
Cedar Park
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.4 mi49th Street
0.5 mi40th St
0.7 mi46th Street
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Wheelchair Accessible
No

Today

Today 12:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Open now
Local time (Philadelphia) 17:38 Friday, 30 May 2025

Business hours

Monday 12:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Tuesday 12:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

New and remaindered children’s books, literary fiction, graphic literature, social and political issues

History

Established in 2005.

Bindlestiff was established by West Philadelphians who saw the need for a local bookstore.

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14 reviews of Bindlestiff Books

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
I went there today. Still a unique and really fun assortment of books – fun stuff you’ll actually want to buy.
Place rating: 3
Philadelphia, PA
It makes me happy that they are here. They have an amazing array of children’s books and fiction. That said, it is very small and easy to exhaust. It’s cute to stop in if you are out for a stroll along Baltimore but if you are looking for anything in particular I wouldn’t necessarily start here. Lovely but a bit disappointing.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
Discovered Bindlestiff on a walk down Baltimore Avenue, it’s great to see a new independent book store! Great focused collection, a knowledgeable staff, and reasonably priced. I picked up the perfect children’s book as a gift, and a few things for myself as well. They also have a zine collection in the back.
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
This little book, card, and creative toy store is a West Philly treasure. If you need to buy a fun, intelligent and original gift for a child or adult, this is the place. The prices are excellent too– often seriously discounted. The owner, John, is knowledgeable and helpful and full of great advice on books. if he doesn’t have a book in the store he can special order it for you. Support your local bookstore!
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
While exploring Baltimore Avenue one Saturday afternoon, I was reeled into Bindlestiff Books at the sight of Kate Bornstein’s newest book displayed in the window. I walked into the shop and was greeted by a friendly associate who did all he could to assist me when I asked if said book were available although I had no intention to buy it right then and there. Even though he couldn’t find it, he was very apologetic, and offered to take my information should the book be found, but I politely assured him that it wasn’t the end of the world. That being said, I would still return if I were in the area thanks to the sincerity of the customer service I received and my support of independent bookstores – here’s to hoping they stay alive!
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
I’m a book junkie. Barnes and Noble is like Mecca to me, with a couple of catches. First, it’s a huge corporate behemoth. Second, I really don’t like browsing for books with Twilight and Tucker Max staring at me from every other shelf.
That’s why I love places like Bindlestiff. It’s small, but has a great selection of books that are actually worth your money. Unlike a lot of smaller local businesses there isn’t a huge price mark-​up either.
And the staff is great. They’re helpful and always willing to chat about books (or other things) but let you shop in peace. I’ve never gone in there and felt rushed or pushed into a purchase.
Also, they know their audience. This is West Philly, so they appropriately have a large selection of books that appeal to the kind of people who buy books in this neighborhood. Graffiti, urban farming, left-​wing politics, and children’s books that go beyond seeing Spot run — it all has a place at Bindlestiff.
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
Awesome little bookstore this is what a bookstore should be like. No obnoxious kids with laptops, no shitty bonus card to deal with just books and nice people.
Place rating: 5
Havertown, PA
Yes, it’s small, but the staff is incredibly helpful, and the prices are nearly always discounted from the publisher’s price, sometimes deeply so. Often, when we support local businesses, we pay more, but in this case, you pay less. Go figure.
I went in today looking for a book for a four year old who loves music and comes from a religious, Jewish family. The woman on staff pulled out several picture books about music and musicians, including one about a fiddle player in a Jewish community. I say this to illustrate that a small store can have a surprisingly broad selection.
Place rating: 4
Oakland, CA
Nice, cozy, small. They had a book about helping young boys by Geoffrey Canada. The guy working bore a striking resemblance to myself and was super helpful.
Place rating: 4
Charleston, SC
The guy who works there calls Bindlestiff Books the Trader Joe’s of bookstores — they don’t have a whole lot, but what they do have is quality, unique, and fun with great prices. I love that analogy.
The difference is that they’re never packed on weekends, they’re not a chain, and are completely invested in the West Philly Community. Oh, and they sell books, not organic fair.
This cozy little bookstore and their friendly staff deserve mad props.
Place rating: 4
Washington, DC
The owners know writers, and know their neighborhood. «How about Cory Doctorow?» I asked. The answer came back: «Yes, there’s two scifi camps in West Philly; one that loves Doctorow, and another that doesn’t.» That’s knowing your customers.
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
Another West Philly find that I officially need to walk into. But I have marveled over their fine displays that they do at The Rotunda and Punk Rock Flea market for awhile now. I have also carried on some good conversations with at least one of their volunteer’s.
Bindlestiff indeed has a well rounded selection of books to look over. it has one of the best Children’s book selections that I have seen any Philly store offer. It has some of the coolest Graffiti books that I have ever had the chance to look through. They also have a good selection of political commentary books that come close to rivaling Wooden Shoes selection. they even sell an exclusive Palindromes calender!
Bindlestiff also does a good job of helping the community around it. it helps dish out free books at A-​Space. And it helps contribute to the local arts scene by having a good presence at benefit shows at The Rotunda.
Place rating: 4
Alta Loma, CA
I hope there will be book stores in heaven.
That said, this place is a cool little neighborhood gem. The selection is small but you can always find something. If you’ve got kids, they seem to have some good kids books. The owners there also seem to be involved with the local arts scene. Always something admirable.
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
This place is small, but there are definitely some good finds in here. If you’re looking for lefty books, this is the place to come and the staff definitely knows their stuff. It’s no behemoth mega chain and it’s not even a wide ranging used book store, but it’s also right there in West Philly practicing what they preach.