Clovis Press

If you are into neat and organized spaces, Clovis Press is not for you. Part of the reason I adore Clovis is that it reminds me of my own place: way too many books spilling all over the place, cluttered, and a little on the dark side.
Mostly used books with some new books, Clovis has a good selection of art, literature, and an outstanding graphic novel section. The many graphic novelists living in Brooklyn seem to drop in and see if Clovis would display a few copies of their graphic novel printed by themselves… if you have dreams of discovering the next Chris Ware, this is a place worth checking out.
It might take a minute or two to realize that this is a bookstore from the outside as they have taken over the space from an old pharmacy.
Go there, love the clutter, embrace the clutter, browse some books.
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I just saw while updating my Indy Bookstore list that Clovis closed down. How sad. It was such a great little place.

I’m a book junkie, but more often than not, I feel the urge to venture away from those titles emblazoned with that all-​too-​familiar «Oprah’s Book Club» sticker. One of the bookstores I rely on most for the unusual and artsy is Clovis Press.
It’s small and a wee bit overpriced, but every single time I go (which is pretty much every time I’m on my way back to my apartment!) I either walk out with an armload of books or wish I could afford to walk out with an armload of books.
The store is composed mostly of the alt-​culture/​artsy variety, with a well-​chosen selection of sale items outside. Though it’s a little unorganized, it’s definitely not as chaotic as The Strand.
Don’t overlook the funky postcards or journals either!

I like Clovis for the idea of a small, hip bookstore without any pretension, but shopping there can be a disaster. Unless you walk in and know exactly what you want or are willing to browse shelves that are barley in alphabetical order, then I wouldn’t bother stopping by. What Clovis does have working for it is an stand outside where cheap classics are displayed, as well as a front counter area that hosts strange, wonderful, unique titles you might not otherwise have ever seen.

As a specialty bookstore in the middle of hipsterville, Clovis excels at what it does; there’s a great selection of all kinds of alt-​culture and art-​focused books. As a used bookstore, it trends to the overpriced and lacks wide selection. Worth it for browsing, although maybe not for purchasing.