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Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
A smallish but well-stocked used bookstore. If you are 'into' used books, you will be right at home here.
Something of interest: One day a week (used to be on Saturdays) they do a massive "one price" sale where all paperbacks are like 50 cents. Great oppotunity to go 'nutso' on a book buying binge.
This place is GREAT, with a friendly knowledgable staff. They might not be able to locate an exact book, but they can point you to a general area or pile LOL.
Enjoy!
If you are clausterphobic, please don't step foot in this store.
I have been here on numerous occasions, and I always come back. I always go straight to their book section, and I havent looked much at their music part of the store. Either way, you can always find something you like in this jumbled mess of a store. I recommend dedicating at least an hour to finding something that suits you. Their books are fairly priced, and usually in pretty decent shape. I recently went to look for a cookbook, and found at least 4 large book shelfs full of strange, yet perfect cookbooks. If you arent looking for anything inparticular.
For people in school, they also have a decent selection of college text books. Most are probably not the exact edition needed, but it could save you quite a bit!
I really have nothing more to say. You really just have to check it out for yourself.
Wowza, this place had me on my knees and begging for more. Records, CDs, DVDs, and books cover each and every available surface. I love records and it was a joy to shop for them here. I was very much reminded of the scene from High Fidelity when John Cusack says, "I will now sell five copies of The Three EPs by the Beta Band" because all of a sudden a Modest Mouse tune came on and I felt I must instantly buy the album - again.
The next room over is all about the books and movies. There are new books and used books. They didn't have every book I looked for and were missing a few high profile sci/fi authors that caused me to shake my head in wonder, but I'm hoping they were just sold out. The graphic novel section was impressive and they won me over with a special shelf labeled "Edward Gorey," a favorite illustrator of mine.
I find myself looking for reasons to trek to Arvada just to worship at this media mecca.
I love the smell of old books. If I could turn the musty scent that just cries out for a person to curl up on a threadbare armchair and waste hours lost in a good mystery, I'd do it.
Black & Read OWNS this particular aroma. An impromptu visit last night had me yearning for more time and energy to really give this gem the attention it deserves.
The book selection is outstanding. If you're looking for anything from cookbooks to suspense to smutty historical romance (dirty little secret just aired right there), they've got it covered at a ridiculously affordable price.
There's a decent-sized corner full of kids' books, too, but no where to actually sit down and thumb through what's available. This is not a good place for little kids, which is why I can't throw the five stars at it. My daughter was wiggling like a fish in my arms the entire time we were in there, and there are zero places in that store that allow for the frolicking of toddlers.
Due to time constraints and the fact that I was practically asleep on my feet, I didn't even wander into the music section, but rest assured, I will be back.
Furthermore, if I ever decide that yes, I do want to toss about 20-sided dice and discuss trolls and mages and whatnot in significantly greater detail with friends while eating Cheetos and discussing the upcoming Ren Faire with unbridled enthusiasm, I think I know the place to satisfy all my gaming needs as well.
And yes, that last paragraph consisted of just one sentence.
The Black and Read is one of the best used book stores and music in the Denver metro area for sure. The staff there are quirky and friendly and the music and books are at good prices. They also have a pretty cool T-shirt selection too! When I moved to Arvada in 2000 they also had very unusual video rentals that you could find no where else in the state. They actually had the Star Wars Christmas Special on tape for you to rent(yes there is such a thing as a Star Wars Christmas Special) and just so many more to pick from. I don't know if this investment was profitable for them anymore or if the owner wanted to keep these tapes for himself but they quit renting out videos after a couple of years. This has to make me ding them down by one star. They also have a great selection of DVD's and VHS movies to get at really good prices.
I just love used bookstore/musicstores! Books, Music, Games, and Movies galore! Great prices.
Review based on my interest in gaming.
As you enter, head over to the left side of the book store. All along the side wall are gaming books. Lots and lots of gaming books. The front third are the new ones but even better, the back two-thirds have a lot of older, used books.
Heading to the back of the store, there are several board games on the last two or three racks and across from that are more board and card games.
If you continue to the right and then make the next left turn, that rack has old 1st and 2nd edition D&D books, always great when you need to find an older book.
To the right of the D&D shelf at the end is another shelf of gaming books. I want to say World of Darkness or White Wolf but honestly I can't remember. I'm a Shadowrun gamer mainly (Fantasy Cyberpunk) so don't pay as much attention to other games.
The number of books here exceed even Bonnie Brae Hobby down on Broadway.
They have a nice little selection of dice in the front counter and the staff are very helpful and willing to order books for you.
I've been popping in to Black and Read for years now, and I'll occasionally find something worth the trip, like a clean piece of vinyl, an out-of-print paperback or piece of kitsch.
Sometimes (sometimes), I will encounter some attitude from the staff, but generally they're harmless and will grunt you toward what you're looking for.
Also, it wouldn't kill them to close the doors for a few days and just do a big clean up in there. It's like shopping in a 14 year old boys' room sometimes.
Which can actually be pretty cool.
I really don't shop anywhere else for music since I found Black and Read. This place is like a gigantic treasure chest of music and books! They also sell t-shirts, rare signed items, box sets, posters and music magazines. So far I haven't had any bad luck when it comes to buying used cd's or records. The only thing that bothers me is how disorganized the book area is. I typically avoid that section due to the headache of searching through piles and stacks of random books. Although, to some people, that could be fun!
Between the racks and racks of used LPs and CDs, the hand-written labels and signage, and the oddball newspaper-clipping collage art on every available surface there is the feeling that by simply walking into Black & Read you have become infinitely more hip.
This feeling is in no way misleading. You are about 10x cooler AND smarter than you were five minutes ago.
Black & Read is like someone took my crazy teenage identity crisis and turned it into a store. Is it a punk-rock used music store where you can find unique, weird bands to impress your friends with? Yeah, it's that. Is it a musty old library full of secret guidebooks for starting your very own revolution? Absolutely. Is it nerd heaven, supplier of all the best board games and card games and dice and disturbing stuffed animals? Oh, heck yes!
Highlights:
-The bathroom. Seriously, just check it out - the aforementioned collages on literally every available surface make for a very interesting public restroom experience.
- The dice selection is so awesome that it's stupid.
- The cheapest trading card game booster packs in the city. Specifically, the Magic: The Gathering boosters are still the same price they were five years ago.
- Looking for a unique gift? Check out everything they keep by the register. There's a multi-player card game for everyone in the entire world, I promise.
I am completely in love with this store!
I have been looking for a cool, funky bookstore where I could swap out my old books for some good used ones. They lose one star for only giving me $10 store credit for my entire staples paper box full of books, but at least they were nice about it. And, I was able to get 4 good used books that I'm looking forward to diving into.
They had a great selection of hard-backed novels. Most of their book inventory is fiction, but they have a pretty decent sized non-fiction area as well (apparently they are paying bigger bucks for non-fiction because they are running low).
Where are the prices? The secret to figuring out that mystery is to open the cover of the book and look for the price written in pencil on the first page.
I didn't really peruse the music section, but that is virtually a second store next to the used books & DVDs area. It reminded me of this fantastic little music store called The Underground in CA that I used to love.
If you've got a few paperbacks lying around, take them here and swap them out and check this place out. You'll be glad you did.
For all of your nerdly needs.
I recently discovered Black and Read when trying to find expansion packs to my Zombies table top RPG/adventure game. Not many stores carry them, but Black and Read does! I got distracted many, many times on my way to the back corner where the game items are. I was pleased to discover an entire wall of table top RPGs for all of my role-playing needs.
People. People. Seriously, listen. They have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tabletop RPG.
It doesn't get any better than this.
As for the rest of the store, they have an amazing music selection and I was able to find CDs from the obscure Berkeley punk bands of my youth. Their book selection is interesting, but aside from that, their comic book/graphic novel selection is staggering.
This store is heaven on earth. Join me in a hallelujah for Black and Read.
I have been shopping here for as long as I can remember.
I love their music section!!
I have bought tons of records a.k.a. lp's yes they still have these here. I also purchased many cassettes here. Remember those? And no, they don't have these anymore. I have bought a whole lot of cd's here. Their used selection is the best I have found. They have all the genre's that get my blood pumping. Rock, punk, industrial, metal...they have it all. Plus they do sell the new stuff just in case you can't wait for someone else to pass it on.
And don't get me started about the books. I am a book whore. Some people collect unicorns or salt and pepper shakers. I collect books. These guys have books lots of great beautiful books. Reasonably priced too.
They also have dvd's. Role playing games and memorabilia. They also have other random cool stuff.
It's a great place to waste a few hours and then happily emerge with a bag full of goodies.
There are books everywhere. They are on the shelves and also piled up on the floor. They have a lot of records, too; I don't really look at those so much but my boyfriend collects 60s psych rock and he loves the record part of this shop; I look at the books. I got a bunch of Shirley Jackson novels here, as well as a few of the novelizations of the 1960s gothic soap opera Dark Shadows. The manager was really helpful when I had a question, and a staff member regaled us with a tale of how he worked at Seaview Terrace (the house that was used in exterior shots on Dark Shadows) in the 1960s as a tennis instructor and dish washer, when the house was a boarding school for wayward rich girls. We go back here every once in awhile to look for new treasures.
Hi, my name is Mariko and I am a Bookaholic.
It has been 16 days since I bought my last book
(which was actually 9 books and a couple of journals).
I can't really explain it, besides the fact that it's an addiction. Every time that pulped up tree parts molded into delicate pages I can't help myself. I thought that I could beat it, that everything was going to change, but I found myself picking up random books to add to the box at home in the "to read" pile. I feel their covers and it excites me. I feel that for that time, I am in control.
When I collapsed my bookshelf by doing double rows on shelves, I realized I had a problem. But it's hard to stop when you've gotten into this habit, and with Black & Read so close to home- it's impossible.
Every time I enter that hidden little shop the blood fills my head and I feel safe and at the same time powerful. It doesn't matter that I have no clue what I'm craving. I'll find something anything that will satiate my need, that yearning to open one and read it.
I love this store, we have been going for years now! But they seem to have trouble hiring people that have anything near customer service skills. I just placed a simple call to them on 12/4/2008 about 12:30 PM. asking if they carry gift-cards. The man answered yes then hung up on me??
I Would like to amend that the store owner personally contacted me about my review and made all apologies. I mean really who does that anymore? Well they do and that makes them awesome on my list. Not only did they prove they care about their customers, but they guaranteed a life time one here. Thanks Again guys!
P.S, that review doesn't include link (you know who i mean) that guy rocks and will give you the time of day.
5 stars -- because this primarily used book store is so much like walking into a new bookstore crafted for your tastes.
We picked up:
A couple Vine Deloria books
Some Barefoot Books (publishing company for kids)
A couple books on anarchism
A new copy of the sublime stitching pattern book
A new Derrick Jensen book
And so on. They even gave us a discount since it was our first time. Maybe it's not perfect, but I'd venture to say it's the best used book store in Denver.
This place rocks, smells of incense, there are books stacked everywhere and you can spend hours just looking around. Great prices on used books and they have a massive variety. There is also a record stored attached, so no matter what you are looking for, if you cannot find it elsewhere, there are sure to have it here. Take an afternoon and go find some cool books to read.
Good DVD section. I stopped by one day and was surprised to see the selection both of movies and classic books (two of my favorite things). For the munchkin, I picked up both a Sesame Street movie and a Clifford the Big Red Dog video. I would have shopped more but I had to pick up the kid.
The place is a rarity (especially in the day and age of mass market bookstores) and is a needed visit for book aficionados. When you go, be prepared to spend some extra time going through the place. It is somewhat cluttered, pretty much in the same manner as a creative genius' house. But navigating around is a rewarding experience for those that have diverse interests.
If you are the type that sits around wearing sweaters in a house full of cats getting lost for hours in a book, then this place is your new home. Come to Papa!
If you love books and music, you've found heaven when you step through the doors at Black and Read. Don't bother going unless you've either made a list of specific items you're searching for, or you have several hours to look til your heart is content.
extra bonus: the kitschy stuff... I found a used "Family Feud" board game for under a dollar! there are also tons of videos (VHS) and DVDs.
If you know music (even remotely) it's a great way to spend your time. I went in for one thing and a quick visit...2 hours later with a stack of CD's I finally got out. I asked for direction on where something was...other than that I was left alone. I don't know how much someone who isn't comfortable in this environment would like this place. I mean, don't go in if you're looking for too many current things, otherwise it's great. Love the book side too!
Where else can you rediscover your love of The Spice Girls?
Fairly small and they seem to have 4 or 5 copies of everything you would never want, still a fun little second hand store.
My kind of store- chock full o' stuff, with tons of stuff to dig through, and a "Too Punk Rock To Care" attitude.
When moving to the area, oh, two weeks ago, I was afraid my only music outlet would be iTunes or, worse, some mall chain who is about 5 minutes from going under. I used to live in a town that had a great selection of indie music stores, so it was a relief to find B&R.
Their used bins are turning into a compost heap, with albums nobody remembers or cares to remember exist, but there are some real gems hidden beneath the top layer of soil. They have an interesting way of deciding which bands get show-cards and which ones don't, so remember to dig deep into the general letter category before giving up- it just might be in there! Also, if you're looking for vinyl, this would be the place to go, is my bet.
Hell, my stereo isn't even hooked up yet, and I bought two albums just to help out the indie. Also, they were albums I wanted.
I haven't had a chance to dig through the bookstore portion of the store yet, but I'm sure that will be worth another yelp in itself.
Where else can you get a Cthulhu plushie? Online, but Black and Read is a whole lot more fun. I love the smell of a used bookstore, and neither location of Black and Read disappoints. The atmosphere is great, too- except the music. What is WITH that music, anyway? Maybe I was just there on the wrong day, but it was annoying!
The selection is great, and if you're like me- more bookshelves in your house than you have room for, and they're all full- you can do your best to part with a box full and trade them in for store credit or sell them. Unfortunately, if you're like me, this only leads to coming home with an equally full box- it never really opens any shelf space.
In any case, book junkies will love Black and Read. If you're not a book junkie, well, there's always the Cthulhu plushies....
Black and Read is a gem in the suburbs. It's kind of like a media heaven. Their music, book, and dvd collection kicks some serious ass. I have never left Black and Read empty handed, no matter how many times I tell myself I'm "just browsing." I always find multiple items I convince myself I just can't live without. It's set up in such a way that makes browsing easy. I have found so many treasures for my book/music/movie collection. They have a separate area of cult books, which includes a ton of beat literature, and others. The selection is fantastic. Definitely worth trekking it out to Arvada for.
i love a good strip mall record store. it's like finding treasure in a turd. and this place is full of treasures, and cheap. a mono "now is the time for hearts and flowers," andy pratt, peggy scott & jo jo benson, porter wagoner, freeman and lange, and a whole lot more. i didn't even get a chance to check out their jazz section, or books, and just skimmed the rad 60s/70s movie posters. i coulda spent all day and way too much money in this spot.
how cool is it that black & read actually exists in the suburbs?
i grew up near there (and now live in the city), but still, for the sanity of the poor high school kids growing up in arvada/westminster, i'm so thankful this excellent indie media store/cultural oasis exists in the otherwise conservative/corporatized land northwest of denver.
I love old school music stores. This place is heaven for a music nerd like myself. I can spend hours browsing through there huge selection of CD's and vinyl.
Englewood, CO
Category: Hobby Shops
Neighborhood: Northeast
Category: Arts & Crafts
Neighborhood: Northwest
Category: Italian
Wheat Ridge, CO
Category: Music & DVD's
Neighborhood: Uptown
Category: Coffee & Tea
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