Poor Richard’s Books
Whenever we travel, I’m always on the lookout for the coziest, most delightful independent bookstores. Here, I’m pleased to introduce you to one of our favorite indie bookstores in Frankfort, Kentucky. (Find more of our favorite cozy, independent bookstores here.)
When we first moved to Kentucky, nearly twenty years ago, we were so completely enthralled with the countryside and the small towns surrounding Lexington that we spent most weekends getting lost (yep, on purpose!) in the maze of back roads that wind their way around and through the area’s farms.
(We do still adore our local countryside and farmland, to be sure, but we don’t get lost quite as often these days.)
On several of those occasions, we ended up in tiny Frankfort, Kentucky. Yes, it’s our state capital, but it’s also still a small town with a quaint, historic downtown that boasts a few restaurants and shops, the original state capitol building, still-in-use railroad tracks down the middle of one of the main streets (plus an old train station), and the wonderful Kentucky History Center.
On the street with the railroad tracks — across from the old capitol — is Poor Richard’s Books. It was the first home-away-from-home bookstore we discovered in our Kentucky, and it still holds a special place in our hearts.
They have new books, used books, shelves full of books about Kentucky, and books by Kentucky authors, plus periodicals and gifts.
And, if you venture upstairs, the entire attic is filled with old used books of varying ages, descriptions, and states of repair.
Poor Richard’s may not have its own coffee bar, but duck through a nearly hidden doorway in the side wall and you’ll find yourself in the cozy little neighboring coffee shop. From there, go up a step and through another doorway, and you’re in a delightful shop filled with handmade gifts from across Kentucky.
All three businesses are definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself in or near Frankfort, Kentucky.
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