hein & company bookstore

Everything a used book store should be! Set in an original building from (I'm guessing) the 1800's, with set back glass front doors, flanked by display windows on both sides. (Dining) table in one window to relax at, with a sleeping cat (1 of 3 that wander the store) basking in the sun to keep you company. Creaking wood floors and high ceilings add to the almost museum-like atmosphere. There's full wall of VERY old books next to a doorway that leads to the antique store part of the business. A small section of albums, cassette tapes and VHS movies is tucked in a back corner, as if to not contaminate the respect of the truly vintage items. Wander through the stacks and shelves of books, with support beams concealed in stair-cased book 'trees'. Head upstairs and lose yourself, if you haven't already. It's rather a maze and I'm sure there's a pattern but honestly, I didn't really care, once I was surrounded by all of the books. On my last visit (Dec 2014), I noticed a new addition across the entire front of the 2nd floor of the building...a 'look through the window' room dedicated to Sherlock Holmes! (There's a mannequin dressed as Holmes in the downstairs window.) 'Mrs. Hudson's Tea Shop' was /is being built a few steps away, with a cozy seating area directly outside (still inside the building). A children's Christmas program was being held on the 3rd floor and one especially active child could be heard running repeatedly back and forth overhead but I'm guessing/hoping that the noises are not usually as distracting. The staff keep to themselves but are helpful and friendly when approached. This is NOT a place to 'pop' into , but a place to roam and possibly find a treasure you didn't know you were looking for. This was my 2nd visit and I'm hoping to make it a stopping point whenever I'm in the area.

Do you enjoy reading books? Especially vintage books? We have found a gold mine here in historic Jackson, CA. This bookstores has been here for eons, and have the largest collection of books short of the Library of Congress (maybe a bit exaggerated). You walk into this bookstore and you will be in awe! This is an historic building and it's really hard to describe, but the experience is one of the coolest things; the old wood floors, dusts, old book racks, the décor. Amazing! You will see books that date back to your grandparents era and beyond. The also have calendars, gift items, and more. If you like to read books, you will be in heaven when you set foot into this store. What an experience! Come and meet the owners, Father, Wolf, LInda, Erich, and Brian Hein. Super nice people at this wonderfully established family book store. Do take advantage of their many many $1 bargain books. Reading has never been so sweet.