This Small Town Bookstore In Washington Is A Literature Lover’s Dream Come True

If you're an avid reader, you know how wonderful it feels when you discover a charming used bookstore in a small town. Not only will you find titles you've never heard of, but you'll also score them at extremely affordable prices. In the little city of Chehalis in Lewis County, the place to go for the best used books is Shakespeare & Company. This beloved local business almost didn't survive the chaos of 2020. Not only are they back in business, but they're thriving.

Shakespeare & Company Used Books is now located at 553 N Market Blvd. in downtown Chehalis.

The bookstore and coffee shop spent years operating out of a charming two-story house on Pacific Avenue. Unfortunately, when the COVID pandemic hit, owners Karen McSwain and Mo Anderson realized that space no longer worked. After closing entirely for a few months, the duo found a new home downtown.

The new (used) bookstore is warm and inviting, with plenty of space to stock the shelves with literary treasures.

Karen and Mo are grateful for the new space, and the locals are grateful the bookstore is back in business.

Before opening the bookstore, Karen and Mo ran a local restaurant where everything was made from scratch. They put that knowledge to good use by making mouthwatering pastries for purchase each morning.

These are Blood Orange, Orange, Local Sheep Cheese and Local Honey Galettes, which are served with real whipped cream and are absolutely irresistible.

Social distancing is second nature at a book store, and this place offers plenty of it.

Floating bookshelves display the books well-marked categories, and the single chairs have plenty of space in between them.

You're welcome to curl up with the book you just bought in one of the cozy chairs and read the afternoon away...

... and you should fully expect to love this place so much that you buy some swag on your way out.

You know a bookstore is a beloved local treasure when it sells its own merchandise!

Believe it or not, Shakespeare & Company was named for the historic shop in Paris and not the famous playwright.

However, we can't help but think that William himself would be proud of this place.

Have you ever visited Shakespeare & Company? Keep up-to-date on their current happenings (and pastries) by following their Facebook page.