Barrow Book Store in downtown Concord was ranked second among the country’s best independent bookstores for a second straight year, moving up from No. 4 last year.
On June 12, 2026, a downtown Concord bookstore found itself in the national spotlight again. Barrow Book Store, at 79 Main St., was named among the best independent bookstores in the country for the second year in a row.
This time, the ranking landed at No. 2. Last year, the store was at No. 4, and the jump puts its readers’ love—along with community loyalty built over decades—into sharper focus.
The award came from USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The bookstore was voted on by the public, a panel of subject matter experts, and USA Today 10Best editors.
The shop’s niche is the kind of detail that turns a visit into a habit. Located in downtown Concord. Barrow Book Store specializes in used and antique books across genres. with a focus on Concord authors including Ralph Waldo Emerson. Louisa May Alcott. and Henry David Thoreau. It also carries literary-themed gifts, crafts, and souvenirs—many produced by the staff. Regular events are part of the routine as well. drawing in community members for readings and seasonal celebrations that honor the town’s literary history.
Since its founding in 1971, the bookstore has been a woman-owned business, a distinction that has carried through three generations.
USA Today’s 10Best described Barrow Book Store as a continuation of the literary traditions of Concord’s most famous residents. naming Emerson. Alcott. Thoreau. and Nathaniel Hawthorne. The listing also credits the store’s gently read and antique inventory. its Concord author focus. its selection of literary gifts and local memorabilia. and the frequent readings. seasonal events. and celebrations tied to the town’s literary past.
The bookstore’s second consecutive year on the national list—and the climb to second place this year—lands as more than a trophy. In a business landscape where many independent shops struggle to stay open, Barrow Book Store’s staying power is the story readers can feel the moment they walk in.
Barrow Book Store USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards independent bookstores Concord Massachusetts Ralph Waldo Emerson Louisa May Alcott Henry David Thoreau Nathaniel Hawthorne woman-owned business