Hobart Book Village, a Bibliophile’s Dream in Upstate NY
By Nava Atlas | On June 18, 2021 | Updated August 20, 2026 | Comments (5)
Have you ever heard of a book town or book village? Chances are you haven’t, if you live the U.S.; there are only three of them in all of North America. One of the most charming and accessible book towns is Hobart Book Village in upstate New York. (At right, a stack of books at LionEyes Books, which specializes in art books.)
It just so happens that Hobart, NY (Delaware County), one of North America’s rare book towns, is just a couple of winding, mostly country road hours from my home in upstate New York.
Hobart Book Village was started in 2005 by local entrepreneur Don Dales; and while there’s an occasional turnover in shops and/or their location, the book village concept has been going strong in this hamlet for an impressive number of years.
The book town as a concept has caught on around the world, especially in Europe. It’s pretty much what it sounds like — a gathering of bookshops concentrated in the center of a small town or village.
Alex Johnson, the author of Book Towns elaborates:
“A book town is simply a small town, usually rural and scenic, full of bookshops and book-related industries. The movement started with Richard Booth in Hay-on-Wye in Wales in the 1960s, picked up speed in the 1980s and is continuing to thrive in the new millennium.
From the start, the driving force has been to encourage sustainable tourism and help regenerate communities … One important reason that almost all book towns are in bucolic locations is that they require cheap property to enable book businesses to open their doors. Many have been subsidized by local authorities to help them get off the ground. While many cities have numerous bookshops, book towns concentrate the outlets in a small area to create a critical mass.”
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
The basics about Hobart Book Village
Web: Hobart Book Village
Main Street, Rt. 10, Hobart, NY 13788
Summer hours (starting June 1 through Columbus Day): Daily, 11-5. All other times of the year the village is mostly open on weekends; consult the website (above) for more details, or go directly to hours and directions.
Hobart Book Village’s website describes itself as having six bookshops, but I count eight (plus the Children’s Community Library). Whether six or seven or eight, there’s plenty to keep book lovers busy for several enjoyable and relaxing hours.
Here are a few informative and fun videos about Hobart Book Village to watch on YouTube, to whet your literary appetite:
- This Tiny Upstate Town Has 7 Bookstores
- A New York Village Devoted to Books (CBS Sunday Morning)
- A Small Town of 400 People That’s Devoted to Only Bookstores
What’s Near Hobart, NY?
Hobart is tucked away in the beautiful Catskill mountains region of NY State, so make sure to consult Trip Advisor for more to do in the region as well as places to stay and eat — especially to eat, as there is virtually nothing in the village itself.
The good
- All the bookstores are within close walking distance of one another, so park once and you’re done.
- Each of the bookstores has something distinctive to offer, so that they don’t overlap too much. That makes each shop a different experience.
- All of the booksellers are super friendly and welcoming, happy to engage with fellow bibliophiles.
- There’s a mix of new and old books, and you’re likely to find some great bargains among the latter.
- You can visit two art galleries located among the bookstores. The Mural Gallery is one of them, though it’s only open on Saturdays from 12-4. An art gallery is part of one of the largest shops, Liberty Rock Books.
The not-so-good
A dearth of food and coffee: There was no food or coffee place open in town during the hours I was there. I drove about a half mile to a gas station to get coffee and a snack. There’s just one place in the midst of the bookstores called The Dinner Plate, but it’s not vegan-friendly for someone like myself. It only opens at 4:00 on certain days.
Bull and Garland is the town’s popular Inn and English-style eatery, but also has limited days/hours and is perhaps even less vegan friendly than the aforementioned. I suggest bring a picnic or stopping at a nearby town for food before hitting the bookstores. The adjacent town is Stamford, which has a few eateries. There are other options further afield as well.
There’s no public transportation to Hobart; it’s only reachable by car.
Festival of Women Writers
Hobart is also known for its annual Festival of Women Writers, usually taking place in early June of each year, and its winter workshops. Get all the information here.
The bookshops (and more)
W.H. Adams Antiquarian Books (602 Main Street) features three floors of organized and attractively displayed books, giving it the feel of so much more than just one bookshop. This treasure trove was the first bookshop opened in Hobart Book Village.
From the brochure: “Featuring fine books, art, and tea offered in a bright, cordial atmosphere that makes both the collector and the browser feel welcome. Featuring 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th century: Fiction, Biographies, Art, Music, Theatre, Dance, Etiquette, Graphic Arts, Poetry, Greek and Latin Texts, Theology, Science, Natural History; American, World; and Local History.”
Blenheim Hill Books —698 Main Street. From the brochure:
“Blenheim Hill Books appeals to readers with thousands of new and gently used books in categories ranging from contemporary and classic fiction to gardening, nature, and biography … Poetry and history are well represented. We have recently expanded our children’s section to include young adult fiction and graphic novels. New picture books share space with collectible illustrated children’s books.”
The Book Nook and Children’s Community Library — 40 Cornell Street. A tiny but charming library focused on children’s books, some others.
Creative Corner Books (607 Main Street): I was delighted to encounter a couple of my recent vegan cookbooks from my “other life” in this delightful bookshop featuring floor to ceiling cookbooks and craft books! That was when I last visited, though as of 2026, the website says that the store is temporarily closed for “reinvention.”
From the brochure: “At Creative Corner Books, cooks and crafters will find inspiration in a bright, cozy setting. We boast an eclectic collection of cookbooks — new, used, and vintage … Our varied inventory of craft, hobby, and DIY books will get your creative juices flowing, whether your interests lie in needlecrafts, quilting, paper crafts, bookbinding, gardening, jewelry, woodworking, mosaics, or dozens of other projects.”
Liberty Rock Books (678 Main Street) is the largest (5,000 sq. feet) of the Hobart bookstores with vast inventory in many categories, mostly used and vintage. The space, whose inviting seating area you see in the first photo above, includes an art gallery, and houses an additional bookstore,
In the same building, Hobart Book Emporium is a collective of four booksellers in one attractive, beautifully curated space. From the brochure: “We continue as broad generalists with specialty collections as they become available. Our used and scarce books … include a large selection of children’s books from the 19th and 20th centuries … Plan on staying a good while when you visit us.”
More Good Books (645 Main Street). From the brochure: “A new shop focusing on Railroads, Ships & Boats, Automobiles, Games and Sports, Hobbies, Pets and more! Located within a multi-vendor space at the historic Hobart Inn, this bookshop speaks to all ages who relish adventure, fun … and the love of animals.”
New York Books & Ephemera (615 Main Street) is adjacent to (and connected with) Creative Corner Books. It features books, maps, and gifts with a New York State theme. Creative Corner Books’ niches are new and used cookbooks, and craft books of all kinds. This shop is temporarily closed for “reinvention.”
About New York Books & Ephemera, from the brochure: “Topics include New York architecture, arts and culture, biographies and memoirs of remarkable NY citizens, NY State and local history, folklore, nature, travel, and more … In the same location, visit the Made in New York shop, offering locally produced food products and gifts hand made by NY artisans.”
Like Creative Corner Books, as of 2026, the website says that the store is temporarily closed for “reinvention.”
Do any of the book shops purchase used books ?
Cynthia, I don’t know the answer to this, but since all the shops feature pre-owned books, my guess is that they have to purchase them from somewhere! Your best bet is to contact the shops directly.
Sounds like a wonderful business opportunity for a coffee shop as well as a vegan-friendly cafe/bistro.
Lynne, something like that would be a smash success! With all the New Yorkers moving up there, I learned, maybe someone will start a venture. Something cozy and not too hipster-y!
Come open one, we need it!