We have a winner! See your pick for the top small bookstore around Lexington

After 3,439 votes over the course of several weeks, Herald-Leader readers have selected Poor Richard’s Books, an independent outfit in Frankfort, as the best small book seller in the area.

The poll was not scientific, just for fun, and started with eight shops in and around the greater Lexington area with an emphasis on highlighting small businesses.

Polling concluded at noon May 11, with championship contenders Poor Richard’s securing 770 votes, or 70%, of the vote, while runner up Ebenezer Bookstore got 326 votes, or 30%.

You can learn more about all the bookstores in our bracket, along with a few readers alerted us to, below.

A few notes about how the competition worked:

• We included largely Lexington-based small shops that carry a mix of new, used and specialty. One contender, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, has multiple locations.
• We did not include chains or university-affiliated bookstores.
• Voting opened April 20, with each new round on subsequent Wednesdays.
• Participants could vote as often and as many times as suited them.

If you’re looking for something new to read, you might consider a visit to:

Bottle Rocket Books – Located in the renovated Julietta Market at Greyline Station, Bottle Rocket has a range of titles, from comics to vintage, which you can also search through online. If you’re interested in more, the shop’s Instagram often highlights interesting titles ready to ship. Brick and mortar: Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington KY 40508

Black Swan Books – From a cozy storefront off East Maxwell Street, Black Swan offers a variety of used books, including the special ordering for out-of-print volumes and specialized titles, bindings and publishers, according to its website. The store also promotes Kentucky authors and sells hand-printed books courtesy of Larkspur Press. You can search inventory and order online. Brick and mortar: 505 East Maxwell St., Lexington, KY 40502

Glover’s Bookery – Another used bookseller, Glover’s advertises rare titles, maps, art and more. The business has been selling since 1978, with online sales underway since 1998. It also offers appraisal services. Brick and mortar: 862 S Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504

Benedictus Books & Gifts – In business under various ownership since 1996, Benedictus offers Christian books, devotionals, children’s materials and more. It advertises as a “trusted source for all things Catholic” and is a recognized ecclesiastical approbation. Brick and mortar: 408 Southland Drive, Lexington, KY 40503

Ebenezer Bookstore – Christian Mission EBENEZER, another Christian bookseller, supports missionaries working in Ukraine. The nonprofit has circulated an Ukrainian-language newspaper and has printed an English Ukrainian Parallel Bible, according to its site. The store offers a variety of Bibles, spirituals, children’s and history materials and more. Brick and mortar: 4371 Old Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40513

International Book Project Inc. – Also a nonprofit, International Book Project sells and accepts donations of used books to fund its mission of promoting literacy and economic opportunity for underserved communities. According to its website, the store has shipped nearly 8 million books to libraries, schools and other partners in 168 countries. Brick and mortar: 1440 Delaware Ave., Lexington, KY 40505

Joseph-Beth Booksellers – Situated at Lexington Green, Joseph-Beth offers a huge selection of new titles spanning multiple floors. Readers of all stripes can find the latest releases, as well as toys, games, puzzles, magazines and more. The store has some affiliated book clubs, as well. While there, patrons can also grab coffee or a bite to eat at Bronte Bistro. Brick and mortar: 161 Lexington Green, Circle B, Lexington, KY 40503

Friends Book Cellar – With proceeds supporting the Lexington Public Library system, Friends Book Cellar offers used titles at low prices. In addition to used and like-new books, it offers magazines, audio books, vinyl and other media. In addition, Friends hosts two discount sales per year, in April and October. Brick and mortar: Central library lower level, 140 East Main St., Lexington, KY 40507

Poor Richard’s Books – Located in nearby Frankfort, Poor Richard’s offers in-store browsing and curbside pickup. True to Kentucky, it has a selection of books for bourbon lovers and offers titles from Larkspur Press. If you’re a member of a Frankfort area book club, they curate and landing page of recent picks for a number of groups. Brick and mortar: 233 West Broadway St., Frankfort, KY 40601

Wild Fig Coffee and Books – Self-described as a cooperative and worker-owned radical bookstore and coffee shop, Wild Fig offers an inclusive space for events and coworking. The Facebook page is active.

Do you have a question about something in Lexington or Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out the form below or email ask@herald-leader.com.

This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 7:00 AM.