When we first moved to Old Town Alexandria in the summer of 2016, my one big wish for the neighborhood was a good general purpose indie bookstore. Don’t get me wrong; there were bookish riches to go around: we had a beautiful children’s bookshop (with a small but well curated adult section) just around the corner from us, a treasure trove of a used bookstore across the street, and a gorgeous public library branch all within walking distance. But a general indie was missing, and I thought it seemed like an opportunity. I wasn’t the only one who thought so; about a year before we moved out to the exurbs, Old Town Books opened – first in a beautiful, but small, pre-Revolutionary building down by the waterfront. More recently, the shop expanded to a bright and airy space a few blocks up from the river. Naturally, I was delighted. While I no longer live within walking distance of Old Town Books, I still consider it my home bookstore.

A few weeks ago, we had plans to drive back to Old Town to get the kids’ hair cut. (Yes, we drive 35 minutes for kids’ haircuts. We love their sweet stylist, Lety, that much.) As a reward for good behavior in the car and at the Hair Cuttery, I promised the kids a trip to Old Town Books. To be perfectly honest, they did not behave that well and really didn’t earn books. But a little bird – that is to say, Instagram – had whispered in my ear that there were signed copies of the new Elizabeth Strout to be had, and I wanted one.

The front of the store contains general fiction, classics, mysteries, literary fiction and more. I had no trouble at all locating the signed editions of Lucy by the Sea and immediately snatched one for myself. (There were six, so there was no rush. But I couldn’t leave anything to chance, could I? Also, if you’re local to DC or NoVA, there might still be copies available.)

The kids had their own business to attend to. Is this not the most inviting children’s section you’ve ever seen? They were under strict orders to choose one book and one book only, and not to ask me for a toy. (Usually I’m a softer touch than this, but they were real jerks all morning.)

Nugget chose Garlic and the Witch, and Peanut got The Cupcake Diaries. And I was, obviously, drawn in by this beautiful gift table. (I was able to resist the chocolate, but really should have grabbed a tin of tea. What was I thinking?) The cookbook section is back here too, and is always an extreme temptation.

See what I mean? I could have spent hours just browsing this shelf. The Half Baked Harvest cookbooks look stunning, and so does Simply Japanese. (Another PSA for local folks: there’s a new thirtieth anniversary edition of Marcella Hazan’s Classics of Italian Cooking on there! I would have grabbed it if I didn’t already own a copy, but I do, so it’s still there – more lucky you.)

My favorite section – the classics, of course! I do wish this section was bigger, but I wish that at every bookstore I visit. And I can always find something I want… this time, I grabbed that copy of A Bedside Companion for Book Lovers, but I’ve had my eye on the annotated classics and the gorgeous editions of Little Women and Pride and Prejudice pictured above, so – something for the next visit.

(I did buy that travel teacup, of course. And next time I go, I’m snagging the Shakespeare puzzle!)

The haul! Signed Lucy by the Sea, and The Bedside Companion for Book Lovers – plus that teacup – for me; The Cupcake Diaries for Peanut, and I can only assume Nugget already had Garlic and the Witch in his hot little hands.

It was a gloomy, rather chilly, day – so there was no sitting outside and reading at the charming red tables like we otherwise might have. But I always have to stop and look at the mural.

Neighborhood bookstores don’t get better than this!

What’s your home indie bookstore? Should I come visit?