FAQ’s
Q: Are You Open?
A: Yes! We opened our doors for the first time on April 30, 2022 and we’re now open 10am-7pm Tuesday-Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday. Come visit us at 903 Wheatland Ave in the West End of Lancaster or through our “Shop” link above if you can’t be here in person.
Q: Do You Have Parking?
A: Yes, we have a parking lot adjacent to the building that is for use by Pocket Books customers. Don’t be deterred by the sign indicating it’s hospital parking only—the spots closest to our building are all for you. You can also park on the street in front of the store outside of street cleaning times.
Q: Will You Have a Cafe?
A: We don’t have any plans to incorporate a coffee shop / cafe at this time — we are dog-friendly, and health & safety standards say that those two ideas don’t mix. Plus, Lancaster has an abundance of really excellent coffee shops; we’d love for you to grab a cup and then come to PB to browse!
Q: What Kind of Books do You Sell?
A: We sell new books, but we anticipate having small used book sales on our porch at regular intervals—so keep an eye on our social media to see when those are happening.
We stock an intentional, curated selection of titles that reflect our values — we prioritize work by historically marginalized or underrepresented voices and will always showcase titles that show a wide range of lived experiences. We purposefully do not carry authors and titles that espouse harmful or hateful views, and we do not stock books that perpetuate racial/sexual/gender/class discrimination. We have robust genre sections so come visit to find the very best romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thriller, and horror titles!
Q: Will You Stock my Products?
A: Are you a local artist, artisan, or author? Fabulous! We’d love to chat with you about possible commissions, but note that we have limited shelf space and will prioritize work from historically marginalized voices.
If you’re a vendor creator of products that pair well with books and you’d like to sell your products here, we’d love to chat with you as well! Depending on the product, we could set you up to sell on our porch or lawn or at designated times during the week. Please email us at info@pocketbooksshop.com to start a conversation!
Q: Do You Only Sell Books by Women & NonBinary People?
A: When you look at our shelves, you may notice more women or nonbinary authors than you’re used to seeing, but we also carry men. Research shows that in spaces with even 50/50 male/female representation, folks experience that ratio as over-representing women. For example, if 50% of people in the room are men, people describe the room as having only 30% men—likely because of how normalized it is to have male overrepresentation in public spaces. If you experience this while looking at our shelves, take a closer look and you’ll find men there, just not an overrepresentation of them. If there’s a specific title/author you’re looking for, always feel free to ask us!
Q: Can I Read on Your Porch?
A: Yes! You are always welcome to read on our beautiful wraparound porch. No purchase required! We want our space to feel like home to you. So come over any time and curl up with a good book!
Q. Do You Offer Any Discounts?
Yes! We love teachers here at Pocket Books! K-12 educators receive a 10% discount on all in-store purchases with proof of school ID. We also love learners here at Pocket Books! K-12 students, college & university students, and current graduate students receive a 5% discount on all in-store purchases with proof of school ID.
Q: I’m on my Way to Buchanan Dog Park. Can my Furry Friend Join Me?
A: Absolutely! We love dogs here at Pocket Books. We have a water dish out and some treats behind the counter, too.
Q: I’m Allergic to Dogs (or Scared of Them). Can I Safely Shop Here?
A: Yes, while we’re a dog-friendly store, we also create a safe space for those with allergies or fear of dogs. We have a heavy-duty air purifier running at all times and lots of ventilation so if there’s no dog in the store, there shouldn’t be allergens, either. If you want us to clear the store of any dogs before you enter, feel free to give us a heads up that you’re on the way (or on the porch) and we’ll make sure the coast is clear.