11/28/06

Looking for a quiet afternoon browse in a glitz-free bookstore?

by Contributor

The Scene
Climb the old iron stairs and enter Sandmeyer's, a cozy family-owned and -operated bookworm's haven in historic Printer's Row, established in 1982 by Ulrich and Ellen Sandmeyer. The sound of the wooden floor creaking underfoot blends charmingly with the subtle blues and jazz on the sound system. There is no coffee, no snack bar and no hype. Sandmeyer's focus is definitely on the books, with an inventory ranging from hip to highbrow.

The Books
This little urban shop gets global in its travel section. It's extensive, given the 2,400-square-foot confines. A bevy of European travel books nestle alongside offerings on Turkey, Vietnam, Russia, New Zealand, Yemen and Singapore. The children's department is delightful, complete with requisite toys. In addition to Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein classics, Sandmeyer's offers reality-inspired tales such as Clark Taylor's "The House That Crack Buil,t" a picture book explaining how and why drugs invade a neighborhood.