I know Jerusalem very well. When I see a store I can recall what was there before that store and the one before that. So discovering a great bookstore is rare. Almost a holiday. While I have been to The Book Gallery in Jerusalem before, I’d never entered far enough to realize that room after room of used books awaited me. I am unsure how this treasure eluded me but I don’t want to cry over book experiences missed when the future looks so bright.
Wow. What a store. As one of the employees told me “We are like an iceberg. You only see the top but underneath there is so much to be seen.” True. Outside there are some tables and shelves with books selling at about $2.50 US. And upon entering, a modestly sized book store greets visitors (or so it seems). A quick look around and one could just be on their way. But take the steps downstairs and an underground expanse of books awaits.
Hebrew, English, French, Yiddish….it is all there. Every genre. History. Fiction. Zoology. Records. Posters. And the staff? When asked if they have a somewhat obscure title they answered almost as one “We don’t have that now”. OK. A bookstore with a staff that actually…well…knows books! Score.
Moshe Bar, owner of the store, sat dusting and repairing books while explaining that their website offers tens of thousand of titles with delivery world wide. But if you are in Jerusalem, visit them at Schatz 6.
Prices were very reasonable for used books in good condition. And the music was great. More pics below. Visit. It is better than the pictures.
love the typewriter! not seen one of those for years. Is it still working?
I plan on checking on my next visit!
Thanks, Stuart. Will stop in the next visit to Jerusalem.
I was in there once in my life. They are a serious place and will now share their website with a collector, though he probably knows of them.