Some bookstores are content to sell books. This Maryland spot decided that was not enough.
With over 60,000 titles, it already stands out, but then there is the museum of Hollywood movie costumes on site. You can browse shelves for hours, then wander into a collection that feels like it belongs in a completely different attraction.
The combination is unexpected and genuinely fun. The store itself is well organized, the staff knows their inventory, and the atmosphere invites you to stay longer than planned.
Locals treat it as a regular stop, while visitors often leave wondering how they had never heard of it. A reminder that some places refuse to be ordinary.
The kind of stop that gives you two experiences for the price of one.
A Mountain of Books Waiting to Be Explored
Sixty thousand books is a number that sounds made up until the shelves come into view. They climb high, they wrap around corners, and they seem to keep going no matter which way a visitor turns.
Bring patience and comfy shoes.
The collection covers almost every kind of reading. There are recent bestsellers, mystery paperbacks, cookbooks, history titles, and classics that look like they have been read by several families.
Many older and more delicate books are wrapped in plastic to protect them, which shows how much care goes into keeping them in good shape.
Browsing here works best without a strict plan. A shopper might come looking for one author and spot a forgotten childhood favorite two shelves over.
That little moment of surprise is a big part of the fun, and it happens often in a store this full.
Some aisles feel snug, and stacks of new arrivals sometimes wait to be shelved. That is simply what happens when fresh items come in nearly every day.
Anyone hunting for something specific should ask at the counter, since the owners know the stock well and are happy to point the way.
A smart tip is to pick one section to start, then wander outward slowly. Kids can hunt for series books while adults dig through history or fiction.
Families can even turn it into a small treasure hunt, with everyone searching for the oldest-looking cover they can find. The winner gets bragging rights, at least until the next visit.
Hollywood Costumes Hiding Among the Shelves
Nobody expects a movie museum between the fiction section and the comic racks. Yet that is exactly what makes this shop so memorable.
Real costumes worn on screen stand on display, often just a few steps from a shelf of paperbacks.
The Entertainment Museum side of the business has gathered costumes, props, scripts, and costume designs from many films and TV shows. According to the store, the collection includes costumes from more than 75 productions.
That means there is a good chance a visitor will spot something from a movie they have watched at home.
Seeing these pieces up close changes how people think about films. On a screen, a costume is just part of the picture.
In person, the stitching, the fabric, the wear marks, and the small details suddenly jump out. Some outfits look heavier than expected, while others seem surprisingly delicate.
Parents and teachers might find this a great way to spark talk about how movies are made. Who designed the outfit?
Why did they choose that color? How many people worked on one costume?
These questions can turn a simple shopping trip into a mini lesson without anyone feeling like they are in school.
One helpful tip is to look at the displays slowly before rushing back to the books. Small labels and details are easy to miss on a quick pass.
And since the costumes share space with the store, glancing up and around every corner is a good habit here.
Hunger Games Fans Will Want Extra Time
Ask Hunger Games fans about this store, and their eyes tend to light up. The shop has become well known among collectors of the series, and for good reason.
Costumes from the films show up again and again in its displays.
One highlight mentioned by the store is a set of tactical helmets from Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2. These helmets come with lights and a GoPro mount, and they were worn by characters such as Gale.
Seeing gear like that in person makes the world of Panem feel a lot more real.
The owner, John, has been known to share stories and facts about the pieces when asked. Many visitors leave impressed by how much he knows about the collection.
Asking a friendly question is a great way to learn the background behind an outfit.
The store also announced a special exhibit called The Costumes of The Hunger Games in a space called Gallery One, set to open August 1st. That shows how big this part of the collection has become.
It is no longer just a few pieces in a corner.
For young readers who loved the books, this can be a fun way to connect the story on the page with the movie version. Try reading a chapter that features a certain character, then look for that character’s costume.
It turns a favorite book into something almost touchable, which is a pretty cool trick for any bookstore to pull off.
From Horror Films to Star Trek Moments
Variety is the secret ingredient in this costume collection. One display might lean toward fantasy, while another heads straight into sci-fi or horror.
It keeps things exciting from one corner to the next.
The store lists pieces from films like Hercules, Beautiful Creatures, The Last Airbender, The Last Samurai, and Immortals. TV fans can look for items from shows such as Defiance and Star Trek Enterprise.
That mix means almost every type of movie fan has something to point at.
Horror lovers get a special treat. The collection has included pieces from the 2013 version of Carrie, among them the blood-covered costume from the final scenes.
It is a little spooky, sure. But it is also a great look at how filmmakers create those unforgettable, shocking moments.
Music history sneaks in too. Dolly Parton’s signed shoes have been part of the collection, which adds a fun twist for country music fans.
Visitors have also mentioned costumes from the movie Respect being on display at one point.
Here is the fun part. The exhibits change regularly, with new items added and displays swapped out.
That means a costume seen on one visit might be packed away the next time, replaced by something completely different. Anyone hoping to see a certain piece should ask staff whether it is currently out.
And anyone who just loves surprises can treat each visit like opening a mystery box. Some might call that a good excuse to come back often.
Comics, Records, and Toys Stacked to the Ceiling
Here is a warning for anyone who grew up in the eighties. The vintage toys in this store might trigger serious nostalgia.
Old games, action figures, and collectibles line the shelves, some stacked up toward the ceiling.
The comic book side of the shop is huge. According to the owner, more than 100,000 comics are kept in the back.
Shoppers can browse the comics on display or ask about specific issues they are trying to track down.
Music lovers are not left out. The store carries vinyl records, CDs, and other formats, and the owner has mentioned a collection of over 8,000 CDs being worked on.
VHS tapes and old magazines also turn up, offering a fun peek at how people enjoyed movies and news years ago.
Card players should know that more than 170,000 Magic cards are kept behind the counter. That is a lot of cards.
Ask nicely, and the staff can help look for something in particular.
Star Wars fans will want to keep their eyes open too. Many visitors have pointed out a large Star Wars collection over the years.
The store also carries jewelry, crystals, and fossils, which adds a natural history flavor to the mix.
A good plan is to set a little time limit for each section. Otherwise, one comic box can easily turn into an hour.
Kids especially will love hunting through toys, so parents may want to agree on a budget before stepping inside.
Rare Treasures Older Than the Country Itself
Some of the books here are older than the United States. That fact alone is enough to make history fans grin.
The store keeps a section of rare books that carry centuries of stories inside their worn covers.
One standout is a law book dating back to the 1500s. The owner has mentioned books from 1585 in the collection.
Holding history that old, or even just seeing it, is a reminder of how long people have been printing and saving words.
A First Edition of Les Miserables has also been kept at the front of the store. For readers who know the story, or the famous musical, that is a pretty special sight.
There is also a map from 1640, which is the oldest map in the collection according to the owner.
These rare items are not tossed on random shelves. Many older books are wrapped in plastic for protection, and they are handled with obvious care.
That attention helps keep fragile pages safe for future readers and collectors.
Visitors should feel free to ask about rare items they are curious about. Staff can explain where a book came from or why it matters.
Just remember to handle anything old gently, or ask before touching.
For students who love history class, this section is a hidden gem. Seeing a real map from the 1600s can make textbook lessons feel alive.
It is one thing to read about the past. It is another to stand right next to it.
How an Antique Shop Grew Into Something Bigger
Back in May of 1992, the business opened with a fairly simple idea. It sold antiques along with a small selection of books.
Few people could have guessed what it would turn into.
Over the years, the book side kept growing until it reached tens of thousands of titles. Music, comics, toys, and collectibles joined in.
Then came the costumes, which slowly turned a local shop into a true destination.
The building has its own story too. It once served as a photographer’s studio, which feels fitting for a place now filled with movie history.
Pictures and films both capture moments, after all.
Today the store sits at 131 N Washington St, Havre de Grace, MD 21078, right in the heart of downtown. The owner has said the costume collection now includes over 3,000 pieces, though only some are on display at any time.
That number keeps the exhibits fresh and always changing.
Plenty of locals now call the shop a Havre de Grace landmark. Many visitors make it a regular stop whenever they come to town.
That kind of loyalty usually comes from years of hard work and passion, not luck.
The store is open Wednesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan a trip around those days. Weekend afternoons tend to be lively.
A weekday visit might offer a calmer chance to chat with the owners and hear more about how the collection came together.
Making a Day of It in Havre de Grace
After hours of browsing, fresh air and water views make a perfect next step. Havre de Grace sits right where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay.
That location gives the town a breezy, relaxed feel.
A stroll along the waterfront promenade is a great way to stretch the legs. Boats drift by, birds circle overhead, and the bay seems to go on forever.
It is a nice change of pace after squinting at book spines.
History lovers should head to the Concord Point Lighthouse at Concord and Lafayette Streets. It has been guiding boats since 1827 and is known as one of Maryland’s oldest continuously operated lighthouses.
Its white stone tower makes a classic photo spot.
Nearby, the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum at 215 Giles St celebrates wooden duck decoys, a folk art with deep roots in the Chesapeake region. It might sound unusual.
But the craftsmanship is impressive, and it ties neatly into the town’s story.
Back downtown, historic buildings hold small shops and places to eat. Pairing the bookstore with lunch and a walk turns a quick stop into a full day trip.
Families can easily mix learning, shopping, and outdoor time.
A simple plan works well here. Start at the bookstore when it opens, grab a bite, then wander to the water in the afternoon.
By the end of the day, bags may be heavier and memories fuller. And the costumes will likely be the story everyone tells on the drive home.
