What can I say that isn't bad about Bookman's...I have been going to Bookman's for the past twenty years when I first moved to Tucson and then the Mesa store. For me, visiting Bookman's is like chatting with an old friend---always a pleasure! I love their trademark 1970's décor with the wood grain and orange bookcases. I do so enjoy trading books and gallery items for cash and usually I have ended up getting like around $20 from a quick cash trade. Since I'm a Celtic Pagan woman, they are always looking for good not so popular occult books and tarot cards and other small ritual tools. I have traded my entire collection of Pagan magazines for a good price. I also love the cute children's area filled with kid's books and toys.
I truly miss their wonderful café but I guess it became too expensive! Previously, you could trade books and items for the store credit trade slip (including the café) for a good lunch, chips, pastries, gelati, coffee and teas, and bottled drinks. It's too bad they couldn't continue the café without taking the trade slips and continue the business like a normal café. Oh well!
I do have a hard time leaving the store entirely empty handed. If it's not buying used books with my trade slip, then it's buying a gallery item or two. What a bargain! Please avoid the other used trade-in bookstores. They do not give you the bargains nor have the charm that the real Bookman's has to offer! Thanks for reading!