From stores that specialize in rare books to retail locations that champion social justice through literature and storytelling, Palm Beach County is home to many hidden gems that rival major bookstore chains.
Each has its own distinct literary identity. They all offer something special to customers.
Here are five of the most unique bookstores in the county.
The Palm Beach Bookstore
215 Poinciana Way
Palm Beach
(561) 659-6700
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Located on a street lined with palm trees, The Palm Beach Bookstore’s coastal aesthetic fits the barrier island. It has been a literary staple of the town since its founding in 1989, drawing in customers for book-signing events and because of its large collection. It offfers an airy and open atmosphere where visitors can browse a selection of biographies, history, current events, fiction and popular books, as well as Florida and Palm Beach-themed ones. The store also has a significant collection of architecture and design books, representing the town’s notable architectural style.
Raptis Rare Books
329 Worth Ave.
Palm Beach
(561) 508-3479
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Hidden between luxury stores on Worth Avenue, Raptis Rare Books is easy to miss if you’re not looking. However, the store is no hole-in-the-wall. With classical decor, the store specializes in rare and antiquarian books worth tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. The collection includes first-edition children’s books like “The Giving Tree,” signed autobiographies like “Long Walk to Freedom,” and first-edition classic literature like “The Great Gatsby.” They also have rare and signed drawings, photographs, music, letters and book sets. Even if you can’t afford a timeless first-edition of “The Hobbit” or a book inscribed by Martin Luther King Jr. yet, it’s a pleasure to explore the holdings.
The Dancing Elephant
801 Lake Ave.
Lake Worth Beach
(561) 345-3130
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.
Dubbed “a good luck store,” The Dancing Elephant brings metaphysics to the literary arts. Originally founded as Rainbow Bridge, The Dancing Elephant is one of the few metaphysical bookstores in South Florida. This cozy cabinet of curiosities specializes in esoteric titles like “Experience of the Inner Worlds” by Gareth King and “The Mystical Christ” by Manly P. Hall, alongside classic titles and books in philosophy, astrology, religion, spirituality, the occult and more. They also sell crystals, oils, candles, tarot cards and other metaphysical and spiritual novelties. The store hosts events every week, including tarot and numerology readings, as well as lectures and workshops on various topics and more. Their calendar can be found on their website and social media.
Classic Bookshop
310 South County Road
Palm Beach
(561) 655-2485
Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Classic Bookshop is a cozy neighborhood bookstore nestled in the town of Palm Beach. Founded in 1977, the independent store prides itself on catering to customers’ literary needs and interests. The store features a range of fiction, non-fiction, history, travel, cookbooks, bestsellers and children’s books, as well as gift books, games, cards, magazines and newspapers. Its local interest and Florida-related books are a frequented section. The store also holds author events and sells autographed books.
Rohi’s Readery
630 Seventh St.
West Palm Beach
(561) 408-3842
Monday – Friday: Noon – 5 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: Closed (open only for special events)
Rohi’s Readery is a bookstore for change. With a welcoming and colorful energy, it’s more than just a store. It functions as both a children’s bookstore and a community center with a non-profit, Rohi’s Liberation Station, that advocates for community building and social justice with education and literacy initiatives. The store uses storytelling to enact change and foster inclusivity while also offering many free programs for children, internships for middle and high school students. There are also workshops for adults, as well as various educational services and classes. Dedicated to advocacy, Rohi’s Readery transforms the traditional bookstore into a mission for community empowerment.
