32nd Avenue Books Toys & Gifts - Denver, Colorado

Lauren W.

Wow this place is terrible. I walked into the bookstore with my mom and was looking at a book. I took out my phone and was immediately scolded by the woman working there telling me I can’t take photos of the books. When I told her I wasn’t going to take a photo, she started questioning what I was doing and then rudely explaining to me that this is a business and they can’t have people take pictures of their books. She even went so far to condescendingly ask me if I ran a business? Overall, her demeanor was just so rude I couldn’t believe it. Also, I looked up the book I was looking at afterwards and it was $20 cheaper online. No wonder they don’t want people on their phones checking out how much they’re marking up their books. Such a terrible customer experience, they need to seriously rethink their business.

Keenan S.

I would rate this lower if I could. As so many of the comments below, my visit to this “store” was a very bizarre experience. I was asked what I was looking for and was then monitored the entire time I was in the store, being asked numerous time more and more narrowly what I was looking for. I just wanted to browse. I was then told that they had locked the door, because they had an appointment in ten minutes and that I would need to leave.

All of this really leads one to believe that there is something untoward at play or perhaps that there is some sort of traumatic past that stops them from allowing customers to simply be customers. In any event, I don’t understand how this business remains in function with this type of customer experience, if we can call it that.

Amanda A.

Like so many people before us, my husband and I were told that browsing isn't allowed and asked to leave the store when we didn't know exactly what we wanted to buy. It was a baffling experience. Why don't they just put up a sign saying "By appointment only" and lock the door?

Allison H.

This was hands down the oddest experience I’ve ever had inside of a store. Popped in to browse for a book for my son. Immediately got asked what I was looking for, said just looking, the owners apparently didn’t like that? They said I can look online but they don’t want me lingering around looking at their shelves. Isn’t…. Isn’t that how shopping works? But then asked how they can help me but also that they don’t want people looking around? So I said that I’d look online to get out of the conversation and store to which they replied well we’re here to help? But… but you aren’t? I had asked them if they wanted to help then why wouldn’t they let me shop? To which they didn’t have an answer.
I’m so confused and also find it very confusing others have enjoyed “shopping” here. I’ve never felt more unwelcome at a store with the most surprising part that it’s a children’s toy and book store: I would NEVER bring my child here. Immediately watched like a hawk. The whole occurrence took maybe 3 minutes total. Very uncomfortable. What a shame, I hope they either work on their social skills or sell the unit. My god.

Taylor B.

Every red-blooded American needs to experience 32nd Avenue Books Toys & Gifts. I want to watch a 9 Episode Ken Burns Documentary series on this store. I want there to be a post-game shuttle bus from Coors Stadium right to this store. I want to get married at this store. Being asked to leave this store upon entry should become a right of passage, like riding a bike for the first time, your first day of kindergarten, and your first kiss. I cannot, in good faith, recommend this as a book store - you are not allowed to shop here. But what you end up leaving with amounts to so much more. Five stars.

Alexander L.

I have no words for what I just experienced, all I wanted to was look for some books. I was stopped immediately by an older person who asked what I was looking for. I told them one of the books they had on display, they handed me the wrong book in a fluster and when I told them it was wrong they told me no browsing, at a bookstore? Then i was asked to leave. I was stared at the whole time, and there was no one in the store. How do they stay in business? They are on a popular street with lots of clients readily available. I cannot recommend going the bookstore right down the street and blacklisting this place. If I could give zero stars I would.

Kiley J. C.

Worst Bookstore experience of my life! Lol. I came to Denver with my wife specifically to check out the local bookstores. 32nd was the 7th bookstore we visited. When I walked in, the Owner immediately asked me “What do you want?”. I said, “Oh, I’m looking for the spirituality section”. She said, “We don’t have that.” I said, okay, well I’ll just look around”. She said, “Sorry, we don’t allow browsing. Please leave now”. I said, “What? You don’t allow browsing in a bookstore?”. She said, “Yes, please leave now.” I said, “I literally just walked in. You are kicking me out? What if I stumble in a book I want to buy? I can’t look around?” She said, “No, please leave now.” Ekkkk 😳 It was the weirdest experience I’ve ever had in a bookstore. What is really going on there, I wonder? Someone from Denver should investigate. Something isn’t right with a bookstore that doesn’t want to sell books. 🤔

Karly S.

The oddest experience of my life. Similar to everyone else, we were told we couldn’t browse the books. When paying out - for two children’s books - I was asked to show my ID. My friends tried to leave the store while I was checking out and the door was locked (!!!!). Overall it was an incredibly uncomfortable experience.