Second Story Books | DC's Oldest Used & Rare Bookstore in Dupont Circle

Since its purchase by Allan Stypeck in 1974, Second Story Books has grown from its small second floor location in northwest Washington, D.C. to become one of the largest used and rare bookstores in the world. During the pre-internet era of bookselling, Second Story Books had multiple locations from Alexandria to Baltimore, including the famous Georgetown Saville Bookstore location. With the growth of the internet, Second Story Books consolidated its brick-and-mortar presence into our two current locations, the Dupont Circle store at 20th and P Streets NW and the Rockville store at 12160 Parklawn Drive in Rockville, Maryland. Both stores are conveniently located on the Metro’s Red Line. 

Second Story Books has frequently been cited as one of the best bookstores in America by national and regional magazines, newspapers and numerous consumer polls. Second Story Books was listed by USA Today as one of the ten best used and rare bookstores in the country. We're excited to begin our next half century as a co-sponsor of PBS's nationally acclaimed quiz show It's Academic. Please join all of us at Second Story Books in celebrating the experience of “Open Books Open Minds”™ and remember “Reading is a Family Affair”™. Come Alive–Read!™