S’Wanderings: Cape Ann, Massachusetts – Toad Hall Book Store

Posted by on Sep 13, 2013 in Books, Children's books, Kids, S'Wanderings, S'Wicked Blog, Travel

Just down the street from The Paper Mermaid is a grand old bank building. And, in that building is a grand old indie book store—Toad Hall Book Store.

Toad Hall Book Store

Toad Hall Book Store

Toad Hall is an unusual independent bookstore, in large part because it is also a nonprofit. All proceeds of the store go to environmental causes. According to its Web site, Toad Hall has donated over $130,000 since it opened in 1972. So, when you shop here, you help the planet, too.

Toad Hall Book Store - a nonprofit organization

Toad Hall Book Store – a nonprofit organization

And, boy, is it fun to shop there. There are soaring ceilings on two sides, with high bookshelves stocked with an eclectic variety of titles.

Toad Hall interior

Toad Hall interior

Tall windows bring in a lot of light, but the main feature of the store is its spiral staircase, which winds from the basement level up to a second-level loft area.

Toad Hall spiral staircase

Toad Hall spiral staircase

Downstairs, in the basement level, is a decent selection of children’s titles.

Children's section of Toad Hall Books

Children’s section of Toad Hall Books

And, if you climb the staircase to the second floor loft, which has views on both sides down to the main level, you’ll discover a collection of second-hand titles at great prices. I got this beauty for $2.00 or $3.00.

The Tenggren Mother Goose

The Tenggren Mother Goose

View from the loft

View from the “gently used” second-hand loft

Toad Hall unsurprisingly carries a nice variety of Cape Ann-related merchandise.

Cape Ann books section

Cape Ann books section

And, their selection extends beyond books. Toad Hall has journals, jotters, calendars, greeting cards, puzzles, toys, maps, tote bags, and more. It’s definitely worth a stop on your Cape Ann visit.

Spiral staircase detail

Spiral staircase detail

Toad Hall Book Store is located at 47 Main Street, Rockport, Massachusetts, and is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 – 5:00, and Sunday from 11:00 ’til 6:00.