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| - This is a long overdue review of a place that I have been a customer of for well over a decade. Originally opening back in 1981 (at a different location), Amber Unicorn Used Books is a throwback to a different time. It is a tried and true Mom 'n Pop used bookstore that is still surviving in the modern age of Internet shopping. The owners have a true passion for used books and they go out of there way to engage every customer, learn what their reading habits are, and assist them any way they can. It is simply a relief that stores like this still manage to exist, especially in Las Vegas.
Aside from offering a solid selection of used books, they also buy books, trade books, and accept donations of books. I managed to fill two boxes of used books that I was going to donate to Good Will. They sat in my trunk for a while and then the wife wanted to go to Trader Joe's so we went there. I saw that Amber Unicorn was open and I decided to see if my books were worth anything for trade. The shop owner, Myrna, went through each book and took notes. Some books were passed on altogether (which I expected) and others were graded and valued. When it came to the rejects, she said that any books I choose to donate will be forwarded as a donation to a children's Autism charity. She has a family member that is on the Autism spectrum and the charity is personal to her. I, too, have a similar situation and happily left all my rejected books with her for donation. Of the ones she retained, she values them for trade by book type. I was shocked to learn that my two boxes of books I was happy to get rid of equated to over $30 in paperbacks, $15 in children's, and $4 in hardcover. The store credit does not expire and can be used any time.
My wife picked out a book and we used the hardcover portion right away. The remaining I will keep for a future purchase.
Now, in all honesty, yes, the prices on some of the books are quite high and are easily beaten online. But much like a restaurant, this is not a venue that you just run in to get a specific item and run out (though you could do that). This store is retail the way it was meant to be. Intelligent, social proprietors that know books, long term Las Vegas small business owners that are contributing to the community and proving that the old fashioned American Dream still exits. I don't shop here because I am looking for a killer deal on a new bestseller. I shop here because the experience of browsing bookshelves, chatting with a book lover shop over, and supporting a locally owned business is quickly becoming a tried and true rarity. Furthermore, the dedication that the shop owner has to be open 362 days a year shows a passion and a sense of pride that I can't help but applaud and respect.
Amber Unicorn books is simply a must visit retail store in Las Vegas for locals and tourists alike.
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