We Buy Books!

Chop Suey Books is always buying gently used books, offering either cash or store credit for the following: literature, art, photography, architecture, design, poetry, history, Virginia history, military history, graphic novels, music, fashion, film, theater, philosophy, psychology, and the like. You do not need an appointment to sell books, though it is a good idea to call ahead if you would like same day service. If you are unsure about bringing in certain books, just call 422-8066.

About Us

Chop Suey Books was started in 2002 and has been providing excellent service to Richmond and beyond ever since. Our original location at 1317 West Cary Street was the former home of George's Chop Suey, a neighborhood restaurant/watering hole that lasted through the early 1970s. Their rusted sign was still attached to the side of the wall, so we adopted the name. Of course, "Chop Suey" refers to a dish of food, though the phrase is an Americanization of the Mandarin "Za Sui," meaning "a little bit of this, a little bit of that." This translation applies perfectly to Chop Suey Books' vision of combining a solid collection of gently used literature, art, photography, architecture, design, philosophy, poetry, theater, film, and so on.

Over the years, Chop Suey Books has kept this vision while growing into a Richmond mainstay, participating in and helping to organize various community events. In 2006, we opened a second location, Chop Suey Tuey, in Carytown. Needing to give this second location it's own personality, we began stocking select new publications that might not be found elsewhere in Richmond. We were especially glad to have this location when the rent at our original location was raised by over 20%, forcing us to regretfully close that store and move the entire inventory to Carytown. To fit in all the books, we expanded to the upstairs, and now have two floors of fantastic, nearly new used books and about 800 hand picked new titles.

Special Orders

Since Chop Suey Books is mostly a used bookstore, it is difficult for us to keep popular titles in stock. However, now that we are able to order new copies of books, we are able to special order almost all in-print titles. To make up for the inconvenience, we offer a 10% discount on any book that we need to order because it is not in stock when needed. This discount is just another reason why it pays to shop at a locally owned bookstore!

Searching Our Inventory

While we have over 45,000 books in our store, we only list about 5,000 titles on different online databases. You can check to see what we have online by visiting ABE Books, but remember that if you don't see something there, we still might have it. The best way to check on the availability of a title is to visit the store, or call us at 804-422-8066.

Hours

Our hours are always in transition based on the season, various events, and our ability to stay late, but we are usually open from 10-6 Monday through Thursday, 10-8 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12-6 on Sundays.

Directions

From Charlottesville: Take 64-East to Richmond. Before 64 merges with 95-South, take the exit for 195 Downtown Expressway. The fourth exit will be for Cary Street/Grove Avenue. Take this exit and follow signs to Cary St. Take a left on Cary St. Chop Suey Books is one mile down on your right, across the street from the historic Byrd Theatre.

From Washington: Take 95-South to Richmond. As you enter the city limits, look for the two-lane exit for the 195 Downtown Expressway/Powhite Parkway. Follow signs for 195. The fourth exit will be for Cary Street/Grove Avenue. Take this exit and follow signs to Cary St. Take a left on Cary St. Chop Suey Books is one mile down on your right, across the street from the historic Byrd Theatre.

From Petersburg: Take 95-North to Richmond. After crossing the historic James River, take the 195 Downtown Expressway exit. Follow 195 through downtown. After the toll (70 cents) look for the Boulevard exit. This will drop you onto Idlewood. Drive for 4 blocks and take a right at the first stop sign. Take a right onto Cary Street, and we are half a block down on the right, across from the historic Byrd Theatre.