In-store shopping
Yes
Book Barn of the Finger Lakes in Dryden
Categories
Location on the map
Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, US
Service options
Delivery
No
Planning
Quick visit
Yes
Phone: +1 607-844-9365
Opening hours
- Monday:10AM–5:30PM
- Tuesday:10AM–5:30PM
- Wednesday:10AM–5:30PM
- Thursday:10AM–5:30PM
- Friday:10AM–5:30PM
- Saturday:10AM–5:30PM
- Sunday:12–5PM
Comments (49)
I did not like the owner, who was annoying me constantly and seemed arrogant/weird. The bookstore was a mess and the books were too expensive. Many shelves are blocked by big boxes full of books that aren’t for sale. Many books also don’t have prices in them, and the owner will act like that’s your fault should you wish to buy them.
The Book Barn is an experience you should not miss if you are a serious book collector. But, you should be prepared for that experience: if you are expecting a Barnes & Noble, you are going to the wrong place! Vlad was a delight, and somehow he knew EXACTLY where everything we asked after was. Do be careful not to disturb the unprocessed books which are in piles, boxes and bags in front of the shelved titles ready for sale (no matter how tempting it may be - they are not for sale). Also, there are cats, so be prepared for that if you have allergies. An amazing place, but again - do not expect a typical book store experience. Also, be sure to bring cash!
An amazing store filled with anything and everything you could imagine! you may have to dig and squeeze around some corners but thats all apart of the magic of finding whatever is waiting for you there. Vlads passion and joy for collecting books is clear and his energy fills the shop. If he happens to share food or other recommendations with you- trust him!
Countless books, yes. Knowledgeable bookseller of 47 years, yes. A unique atmosphere that counters antiseptic new bookstores, yes.But it’s tough to overlook the challenges of shopping here. The inventory exceeds the space. Books are stacked everywhere, many waiting to be marked. Fiction is doubled up in bookcases so you have to move a shelf to look at books behind it. Many aisles are so narrow, you have to walk sideways to get through. Plus, the prevalent eau de kitty box can make you want to double mask.The bookseller is working mightily, but he needs help. I hope he gets it so the many treasures he has can be shared rather than boxed away forever.
The Book Barn isnt really for the casual browser whos looking to enjoy a latte while they browse clean and organized aisles.Its for the hard-core hunter. The place is overwhelming and a true EXPERIENCE. It might look disorganized but Vlad knows where everything is.I wasnt a fan of the catfood messes on the floor but I appreciate the fact that the owner cares about the cats.
Not clean, messy, kitty boxes everywhere so is the smell of cat pee. Not safe. Have to climb to get to some things so thats fun. He was nice but I was not aloud to take photos. Had to use a flashlighy. Any books that were in boxed or some piles were not for sale yet but took up a lot of space. It qould have been great if it was cleaning and maybe safer. Def not for bigger girls! Im like a stick and it was interesting trying to get around some spots. Kinda like a maze. Fun but not clean! I did buy a book to be nice but the price isnt listed on the books that I remember so i didnt find out till I was checking out.
There are a ridiculous amount of books here and you’d need to spend a good chunk of time to go through the entire barn. The owner is helpful but is also strict about the rules posted on the door. Be weary about using your phone inside because the owner will come and warn you not to take pictures inside the building (even if you aren’t) It is also very narrow and hard to navigate around so keep that in mind. Overall, it’s a really cool place and the owner is a character but he’s pretty nice if you follow his rules
Came from out of town and found this place, wasn’t sure what to expect but it exceeded expectations! Such a wide range of material and yes, crowded, but still manages to stay organized. It’s not difficult to find what you’re looking for (and maybe a few extras) with all the options available there. You can tell the owner has a passion for his work and the store/materials there. We had a great conversation with him and he recommended food in the area and other bookstores worth the trip for us to check out on our next excursion. The cats were also friendly, accepting pets and ear scratches. :) A highlight of our weekend trip for sure, and I look forward to visiting again in the near future!
The inventory is incredible! There were great books, and his selection is very refined. He does a great job selecting books to sell, and only chooses the best! Does a great job, judging a book by its cover.
This place is quite a trip. Massive numbers of used books scattered about on shelves and piles on the floor and everywhere around. But, they have a huge inventory and the owner (amazingly) knows where everything is. Very, very narrow aisles so watch your step. Not, by any means, wheelchair accessible.Give a call in advance if youre looking for something specific and have it pulled for you when you arrive.Cash only.
Dark, cat urine, so much clutter its a death trap, prices not that great for used books
OK place to shop for used books. I think a little over priced. So many books its VERY hard to navigate around.The walk way you have is extremely narrow with the stacks of books everywhere.BUT there are so many duplicates. Went there looking for 4 specific titles and found 0.And also if your into Sci-Fi/ Fantasy, mind the wasps and hornets in the summer as Ive seen both flying around in the barn. Its very stressful worrying about them as you go deeper into the barn not knowing where a nest might be lurking.
This is a great bookstore. Give yourself lots of time to fully explore. I would bring a flashlight or a fully charged cell phone for light. Be prepared to really explore as there books everywhere. The owner knows his stuff and where he has them in the store. Tell him what you are looking for and he will offer other books in the same topic too. Hard to get through this store in one day. I live in Oregon, but have family in Syracuse, but I make time to visit every time I am back in New York.
It was fun to visit. I got several books from here.
Yes, it’s a huge selection of used books at fairly reasonable prices. But the place is trashed, hard to walk around inside, full of spiderwebs and darkly lit. Books are stacked to the ceiling everywhere and you have to climb around the piles. It also has a very strong smell inside. However, most problematic is the owner. I was using my phone as a flashlight to see the books on the shelves, when the owner came around a tight corner and said he hoped I wasn’t taking pictures to post online. He seemed to be anticipating some sort of security threat and then said he’d hate to have to use his father’s old shotgun to deal with intruders. I was backed into a corner when he said this, and I’m six months pregnant. I’m not sure what kind of person thinks that is an appropriate comment to make. What a creep.
A used book buyers dream shop, with row after row of shelves jam-packed with books. Proprietor very friendly and knowledgeable. Downside is that books are quite pricey, but staunch collectors will be pleased. Price-break specials should be run.
Its very crowded, the books are collapsing around you and the owner is very scary. Do not go here simply because it is a SERIOUS health and saftey hazard. Both for physical injury and sanitization with several litter boxes spilling onto the floor.
The Book Barn has a LARGE collection, parking and fair prices. I have enjoyed browselng and adding to my own collection with a find at the Book Barn. John
This is an unmissable treasure trove of books for serious collectors. Vladimir is an extremely knowledgeable and personable man who knows his books inside out.
So many books I was in heaven! Had a blast looking through all the treasures! Super friendly and helpful staff. Definitely will be back!!!!
This place has more books than space to put them in. The owner was kinda quirky but very genuine and more than helpful and accommodating. We plan on making a 2nd trip
The owner was super helpful and friendly! There are so many books that it is impossible to not walk out with at least one. Ill definitely be returning.
A true book hoarder. Far too many books for the space and aggressively priced. But he probably has what you want. Not for the claustrophobic or plus-sized
So the proprietor of the place is an underlying rude ol codger..after he decided I wasnt there to disgrace the place with my presence he tried to be as helpful as possible despite the fact that their were about a million books in the place(about as dusty as he was)did I decide their wasnt anything on my list that I needed..plenty of books I would have liked to reread..but at roughly 5 dollars a book..wasnt with a sale..oh well the search continues!
Nice guy and all glad he is passionate about cats. However it is terribly disorganized and wants more for used books than they cost new.
Lots of books but I never feel welcome, owner is surly and condescending. And if you are an extended size person many areas are inaccessible.
It’s a real treasure hunt for the true book lovers. The owners is very kind and helpful and rescues many animals.
I’m a 5 2’ skinny girl and it was hard for me to walk and even turn around in this store.
AWESOME selection of books! Owner was very friendly and knowledgeable, a must visit for big readers!
Knowledgeable proprietor. Ecclectic and massive collection. Standing in one place many books caught my eye and interest on a range of subjects.
Amazing bookstore with great prices, a very knowledgeable owner, and stacks upon stacks of books from the greatest hits to hidden gems to collectors gold to be sure.
When I die I want to spend my afterlife in this place so many hidden treasures to be found. Its always a stop when I come up this way.
This is a great place to browse for obscure old titles. The resident cats are an added bonus.
Peaceful.
Lots and lots of good books at cheap prices.
Great selection, could spend hours there.
Amazing selection of used books!
Excellent destination,never fails to impress.
Phenomenal ++
Total reviews rating 3.9
49 Reviews for Book Barn of the Finger Lakes 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-21This has been a start-of-summer-tradition for our family for many years. This is not a place of business, it is an experience. The owner is wildly knowledgeable and wonderfully eccentric. And the book collection is like nothing else.
Review №2
2022-06-21We stopped in today, and have been visiting for years. What a collection. The owner is super helpful and friendly. If you love books, there is so much to love here! Poke through the aisles and look for your next favorite summer read.
Review №3
2022-04-16This place is creepy dark and the owner was trying to scare me .So I was looking around and I saw his office I looked through the open area not aware of what it was then he jumped out of the book stacks and said hello in a creep voice and touched my shoulder. It scared me half to death. Speaking of death his little place is hide behind a canopy of trees and so not a single person could find it unless they were looking for it so no one would know where you were . This man had muddy wet shoes drying on old books he was trying to sell. He had flipped over litter boxes on books too. I you want to find a old book in good condition for a reasonable price dont even think about this place your better off finding it in a dumpster.ltteratly book barn has better prices. And sorry man no offence but your creepy no Kid should go here you. Would just scare them . 😐
Review №4
2022-06-26The owner is rude, the place is a mess, and the books are overpriced. I love used bookstores, but this one is a low-quality experience. It’s less of a bookstore and more of a hoarding situation.
Review №5
2020-08-13Loved this place!! So many gems, so much to explore! Some passageways are too tight a squeeze, some are dark and needed my cell phone flashlight, but all were amazing and I cant wait to go back! The proprietor was very welcoming and helpful.
Review №6
2022-01-30Even tho I went there a while ago I never left a review. I think I remembered this place since I’m almost done with my collection and remembered where I got the first edition fire starter, it was $20 and all his other Stephen king books where reasonably priced and the owner was nice.
Review №7
2021-11-04This place is so amazing! Yes there are books stacked on the floors as they cannot all fill the shelves but it feels cozy and just makes a booklover happy. Vlad, the owner, is really sweet and very intelligent. It is cash only which makes it difficult but there is an ATM less than a quarter mile away. The books are VERY fairly priced. I am so happy I found this gem!
Review №8
2021-11-21This place def has a LOT of books. So many books that you cant easily walk around the place to see them all. The books are stacked everywhere, but the books that are shelved are neat and orderly if you can squeeze in to view them. The owner was helpful and knowledgable. There are a few cats around the building and property too that are kinda like mascots
Review №9
2021-09-04I only went into one barn (the main one?) … but it’s obvious who went there out of boredom and who went because of a passion for books. It’s a BARN - it’s not going to be squeaky clean like B&N and I only saw one or two litter boxes - it’s not like I stepped in them. Anyway - I had no idea about this place. The bookstores in Ithaca … are … hm … How can a college town have such horrible used bookstores?! If you are a student - and especially an Ithican (?), it is worth the trek to Dryden to check this place out. Don’t expect the stuffy, boring bookstores in town - expect atmosphere, the instant blanket of used books smell (and yes, some mustiness and cats), and a wonderful proprietor who is a joy to talk to. I am definitely going back on the regular to rebuild my collection.
Review №10
2022-04-10The books are very cool. it is an awesome place and the owner is very interesting and kind.