Any Good Used Bookstores/Coffee Houses in Cary or Chapel Hill? (Durham: bars, buy)

[MikeJaquish]

The Reader's Corner on Hillsborough Street just west of NC State.

Not a poetry, coffee hangout, but loaded with books.

Edward McKay is still up Capitol BLVD, right???

I like the Salem Street Apex idea.

[Bull City Rising]

Originally Posted by procfreq

Are there really several in Durham? All I can think of is the Book Exchange on 9th street and the one in Brightleaf Square--neither of which really do it for me and neither of which I'd call good places to "hang out." Are there good ones that I'm missing?

There's Books Do Furnish a Room off of Markham near 9th. There's also BookDabbler at the old Loehmann's Plaza near Hillandale and Front St., which features coffee and free wi-fi.

[FSNRI]

I'm thinking of a place that would be open at night, probably until 11pm. I'd like a place where people could go after work to hang out and socialize, but without booze. It would serve coffee, tea, coffeecakes, and perhaps even sandwiches and soups. There would be a small area where people could gather for poetry slams, listen to live music, etc.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

If your going to do it make it used books/cafe/internet cafe
People love hanging out there.

[FSNRI]

My vision is of a used bookstore/cafe which would be a "hang out" place, offering live music, poetry readings, playwright readings, open mic night, etc. Things that only require a small stage area and don't make a lot of noise. There would be comfortable couches to hang out on, free wifi (well maybe with the purchase of a coffee or tea), homemade brownies, cookies, and coffee cake. Sandwiches and soup for the evening folks.

I would want this place to be a "third place" akin to the pubs of England. But no drinking or smoking! A family friendly place with a good section for kids.

[FSNRI]

I'm not sure how to include an internet cafe. I don't know if that would be the best use of space. Don't most people bring their laptops to places with wifi to hang out and drink a cappucino?

[FSNRI]

I thought that all of Cary has only one library. That doesn't sound too great to me!

[Snowpea]

Originally Posted by FSNRI

I thought that all of Cary has only one library. That doesn't sound too great to me!

http://www.wakegov.com/libraries/default.htm

In Wake county you can go to any library. Cary has two libraries (one downtown and a new one on the West side of town). There is another one I like in Apex that is a very short drive (it is briefly closed for renovations though). I sometimes pop into the Cameron Village library when I'm in the vicinity.

Additionally, you can check their online catalog and order books from anywhere in the system to be delivered to your nearest library. You get an automated telephone message when the book is ready for collection. Also, you can drop off the books you borrow at any library. So convenient.

Durham libraries were alright too as I remember. No experience with Orange County though (or the other neighboring counties). Anyway, the used bookstore/combo idea you have certainly sounds interesting. Not trying to rain on your parade.

[Wanna Leave Penciltucky]

You put Wifi in your space. Get a wireless router (60.00) and a dsl connection and you got your internet cafe.

[scorp200]

Originally Posted by FSNRI

My vision is of a used bookstore/cafe which would be a "hang out" place, offering live music, poetry readings, playwright readings, open mic night, etc. Things that only require a small stage area and don't make a lot of noise. There would be comfortable couches to hang out on, free wifi (well maybe with the purchase of a coffee or tea), homemade brownies, cookies, and coffee cake. Sandwiches and soup for the evening folks.

I would want this place to be a "third place" akin to the pubs of England. But no drinking or smoking! A family friendly place with a good section for kids.

I don't know but please open one because that sounds awesome, and I would go all the time.