Hyde Brothers Books - Ft. Wayne, IN

Hyde Brothers Books, Ft. Wayne, IN

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I've known about this indie for awhile, have read a bit about it, and finally got a chance to visit and see it for myself.  You see, Hyde Brothers Books has a "reputation."  In this case, that reputation is all good and I can tell you after seeing for myself, it's well-deserved.  This is another solid used book store, as strong as any I've seen anywhere.  And owner Sam Hyde along with bookseller Kaitlyn were as nice and knowledgeable as any I've met along my journey.  These are the kind of "reputations" that all bookstores hope for!

This 2-level bookstore has been around for about 26 years, located in a busy retail corridor of Ft. Wayne.  I think it's a good location, surrounded by many other small independent businesses.  The main level has two large rooms with a little meandering involved, side nooks, and aisles all of which make it a fun place to explore.  The same can be said for the basement level.  The main level is packed with floor to ceiling books and thankfully they have several shelf ladders to reach the upper shelves.  The basement level is also shelved floor to ceiling but the ceiling isn't as high downstairs and ladders aren't needed.  However, if you're over about 6'5" watch your head.  Sam told me that he conservatively estimates the inventory at 200,000 (I think there are more).  I was impressed with the number of complete set editions that they displayed, a few of which you can see in the pictures below.  I would encourage collectors to check out the store's inventory.  You can also order these vintage editions through the store's on-line site.  The store offers cash or double that in store credit for books that customers bring in.  But, they won't take everything.  As Sam told me, out of 2000 books he might see per week, he might take 400-500.

Hyde Brothers is home to 2 bookstore cats, Scout and Sherlock, making this a destination for cat lovers as well.  The store is easily accessible for out-of-towners with free parking right on the street and right in front of the store.

If you didn't know about Hyde Brothers Books before, you certainly do now.  Check out this iconic used book store and when you do, make sure you have LOTS of time.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  The Essex Serpent, Sarah Perry.  I liked the premise of this story about a mysterious, seldom seen serpent in the Essex region of Victorian England.  The only thing is that the serpent never appeared in the story.  It was more of an "idea" of the serpent and its effect on the townspeople which allowed them to blame any troubles like missing people, misfortune, and illness on the possibility of a serpent.  Cora, an independent and recently widowed woman ventures to Essex in hopes of finding this serpent but is hampered by a local pastor who eventually falls for her even though he is married to a woman who is terminally ill (blame the "serpent").  This book was only mildly interesting.  I blame the serpent.  

CURRENTLY READING:  Don't Let Go, Harlan Coben.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  And The Mountains Echoed, Khaled Hosseini.

A very busy display window.  

View looking into the store from the front entrance.  Veteran readers may recognize the celebrity on the left.  Yes, that's my mom.  

Just inside the front entrance you're going to find some GREAT bargains on these shelves.  

The store has lots of book aisles that look like this.  

Just a few of the books of interest by local authors.  

Always ask your bookstore about gift certificates.  They have them here at Hyde Bros.  

Notice floor to ceiling bookshelves and thankfully, a ladder to help reach the top shelves.  

Take this ladder to the top shelf.  

You'll love seeing the bookstore cats.  This is either Scout or Sherlock.  

Shakespeare fans.  

Balzac fans.  

Robert Louis Stevenson fans.  Lots of complete volumes of works are available.  

Have a seat and take a book for a test drive.  

Another one of the ladders that will allow you to reach the high books.  

Proceed into another room for these genres.  

Your browsing here is never-ending.  

This store is all about the books, as you can see.  No frills here.  

Something for Catholic scholars.  

Stairway to the basement in the rear of the store. 

I love this artistic rendition of the store front.  

Floor to ceiling books but a much lower ceiling.  This is the long aisle you'll see if you use the back stairway to the basement.  

Yes, there really is an algebra and calculus section of books.  These sections are a bridge too far for me.  

Look for this section in the basement.  

There are two stairways linking the main floor and the basement.  This is the one near the front of the store, looking up from the basement.  

This sounds like an interesting collection.  

You're going to need this because there is no way you get out of this store with only one book.  

Zane Grey fans.  

Scout and Sherlock take a break from selling books.  

With Sam on the right, the fine owner at Hyde Brothers Books.  Thanks for a great visit.