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| - There is something ironic about this store (unlike their parent store in Tempe) dealing almost exclusively in new merchandise yet retaining the name "Changing Hands" bookstore, but it's an outstanding store nevertheless. The atmosphere is perfect and they have incredible variety in the products they sell and the services they provide.
There are lots of books here, however there could certainly be more. The science section is fairly small and the computer and textbook section is virtually non-existent (as if a half dozen or so dummies books on apple products among a computer book section of maybe 20 titles total should ever qualify), but I think it says more about the (unfortunate) waning interest in science/engineering and poor aptitude for mildly challenging computer science topics of our city as a whole than it does about the bookstore itself.
The book bar serves coffee and alcohol and there is plenty of room to sit and read/study. The basic coffee and espresso drinks are well represented, but not any of the frou-frou syrup & whipped creme topped "coffee" drinks that fit in better at an ice cream parlor than a café. Also, there is a nice selection of Arizona beers (nimbus, lumberyard, four peaks), as well as some cochise county wines.
The kids section is cozy, colorful, and even boasts an enclosed and padded play area for kids who can't yet walk or climb, and - as always with Changing Hands - there is a great selection of kids books and toys. One nice thing with them has always been the selection of knick-knacks, greeting cards, and small gifts, and this location has plenty of those as well.
As other reviewers have said, we need more stores like these (or for libraries to undergo slightly similar makeovers), but at least we have one or two. Since Bookman's eliminated their sitting sections, replaced their cafes with low quality second hand instrument racks (and reeks more and more of mold and body odor every week), Changing Hands is now the only combo bookstore worth going to. They've done an outstanding job, and hopefully the community sees it too and supports them and other local businesses following the same model.
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