O n a recent friday morning, i showed up to moravian book shop a little before the store was to open. For 274eyears, booklovers near and far have looked to theemoravian book shop for its curated selection of books and iconic moravian and bethlehemthemed gifts. As guests on any of the moravian book shop ghost tours probably know, there is a story among the staff that the store itself has a ghost. Shop the moravian book shop for mens, womens and childrens apparel, gifts, textbooks and more. Broad street, suite 240 bethlehem, pa 18018 office. Large selection of official apparel exclusives flatrate shipping. Feb 25, 2016 o n a recent friday morning, i showed up to moravian book shop a little before the store was to open.
The oldest book store in america is here in pennsylvania. Moravian book shop in bethlehem moravian book shop 428 main. Moravian book shop inc can be contacted at 610 8653823. Due to the covid19 pandemic, iboc offices have limited access and shipping response times may be delayed. Bethlehem, pa 18018 2000 2016 the moravian church in america. Visiting the oldest bookstore in america and its resident.
Apr 28, 2018 the moravian church, which founded the college in 1742, opened the book shop in 1745. For nearly three centuries, booklovers have been able to peruse the titles with their pooch and even check out some bethlehem souvenirs, too. A shadowy figure is said to have led employees back into a. The moravian college student shuttle has a routine stop right on main street, and parking can be found. Downtown bethlehem association dba manager tammy wendling 74 w. With a meticulously curated book selection and a rich history, book lovers near and far travel to experience the moravian book shop. Moravian book shop is open monday through thursday from. Moravian book shop central bethlehem historic district.
Despite what some people have said in the news, after a few up and down years, the moravian book shop is in a good position in terms of its core. The space continued selling religious books and printing religious papers, as it always had, but even at 144 years old, the stores selfidentity remained fluid. Bethlehems historic moravian book shops change of ownership will likely mean the loss of two local businesses, but officials vow the store. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is the oldest bookstore in america, the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world. It was founded in 1745 by the moravian church and lays claim to being the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the united states and the second oldest in the world.
Moravian book shop bookstores 428 main st, bethlehem, pa yelp. As the countrys oldest bookstore, its had since 1745 to curate an amazing selection of stationary, cards, trinkets, christmas items, and more. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop offers a wide range of selection of books and music recordings, home d cor items, star ornaments, christmas ornaments and decorations and order gift certificates. Moravian book shop in bethlehem, bethlehem, pennsylvania. It is the oldest bookstore in north america, and second oldest in the world to lisbon, portugals bertrand book store, though that store has not remained in continuous operation. The shop was moved to several bethlehem locations before it settled at. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is the oldest bookstore in america.
More moravian book shop facts it is kind of the worlds oldest bookstore. Moravian book shop bethlehem, pa 18018 lehigh valley. For 273 years, booklovers near and far have looked to the moravian book shop for its curated selection of books and iconic moravian and bethlehem themed gifts. A rendering shows how the remodeled area will feature refurbished builtin fixtures, new tin ceiling tiles and more. Pages archive moravian church in america bookstore. Spend the day browsing through rooms of books in our full.
Prior to the college purchase, the book shop used to offer unique home furnishings, jewelry, and other gifts carved wood figures clocks christmas items. Moravian book shop inc is located at the address 428 main st in bethlehem, pennsylvania 18018. After operating at several locations, the moravian book shop was moved to the churchs publications building near the central moravian church in bethlehem in 1871. Moravian book shop bethlehem, pa 18018 discover lehigh valley. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is located in the heart of historic bethlehem, pennsylvania and is not only the oldest bookstore in america, but the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world. Guinness world records officially recognizes the bertrand bookshop in lisbon, portugal established in 1732 as. The moravian book shop was founded in 1745 when the moravian church appointed samuel powell of the churchs crown inn on the south side of the lehigh river to operate a book store. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is the oldest bookstore in america, the oldest operating bookstore in the world. Americas oldest book shop will soon be run by americas most familiar bookstore, one known to. Moravian is the oldest bookstore in the united states, founded in 1745, and has expanded many.
In addition to a wide selection of books, the store also offers a broad assortment of merchandise clothing to home decor to jewelry and candy. Visit historic bethlehem, pa authentic colonial history. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the country and home to the moravian college student bookstore. Moravian book shop is a huge store carrying more than just books. For maps and directions to moravian book shop inc view the map to the right. The moravian book shop continues to write a new chapter in historic bethlehem. The moravian book shop is the oldest continuously running bookstore in the world. It was founded in 1745 by the moravian church and lays claim to being the oldest. For 273 years, booklovers near and far have looked to the moravian book shop for its curated selection of books and iconic moravian and bethlehemthemed gifts. Situated in the heart of historic downtown bethlehem, step into the many worlds that make up a very unique shopping experience.
Moravian book shop inc in bethlehem, pa 18018 610 865. Moravian book shop in bethlehem moravian book shop 428. Historic moravian bethlehem in bethlehem, pennsylvania, a. The moravian book shop was founded in 1745 when the moravian church. Moravian book shop in bethlehem, 428 main st, bethlehem, pa. From moravian stars to unique home decorations the moravian book shop has more than just books for sale, even the atmosphere is unique to main street.
Historic moravian bethlehem book visit, explore, and experience bethlehem like never before with our two walking tour books. Historic moravian bethlehem book historic bethlehem museums. The moravian book shop was founded in 1745 when the moravian church appointed samuel powell of the churchs crown inn on the. The moravian college student shuttle has a routine stop right on main.
How americas oldest bookstore has survived across the. Moravian book shop in bethlehem 428 main st, bethlehem, pennsylvania 18018 rated 4. Were americas oldest book store, with a full service book dept. The shop was moved to several bethlehem locations before it settled at its current location 147 years ago. Moravian book shop is open monday through thursday from 10am to 6pm, friday to. Historic moravian bethlehem and south bethlehem, pennsylvania. Doug shipps april 12, 2012 my wife is a big reader and enjoys relaxing with a good book she is a nurse. It was opened in 1745 by the moravian church, which has a strong presence in the area, and has been operating ever since, though it has changed location a few times. Moravian book shop inc is located at 428 main st, bethlehem, pa 18018. The moravian church, which founded the college in 1742, opened the book shop in 1745. Bethlehems historic moravian book shops change of ownership will likely mean the loss of two local businesses, but officials vow the store wont lose its deep roots late friday, moravian. The moravian book shop is located in the heart of historic downtown bethlehem at 428 main street among the beautiful downtown shops, restaurants, and across the street from the hotel bethlehem. Moravian book shop, bethlehem, allentown urbanspoonzomato. Plus, check out our large selection of official gear for men, women, and kids, exclusive items, and more.
Due to the covid19 pandemic, iboc offices have limited access and. Moravian book shop bethlehem 2020 all you need to know. Oct 15, 2018 the book section of the moravian book shop is temporarily closed. Explore the rich history of historic moravian bethlehem, our newly designated national historic landmark district, one of only eight in pennsylvania and one of only about 200 in the entire united states. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is the oldest bookstore in america, theeoldest continuously operating bookstore in the worldeand home to the moravian college student bookstore. The moravian book shop has anchored bethlehems historic downtown for generations and has built itself into the premier location for books, gifts and christmas decorations in downtown bethlehem. Historic moravian bethlehem book historic bethlehem. Moravian book shop is a book store based in bethlehem, pennsylvania. The livraria bertrand in lisbon, portugal, which has been open since 1732, is the oldest bookstore in the world. The moravian book shop in bethlehem is not only the oldest book shop in the country, but it is also quite possibly the oldest continuously running book shop in the world. The moravian book shop is the oldest continuously operating bookseller in america. The moravian book shop was founded in 1745 when the moravian church appointed samuel powell of the churchs crown inn on the south side of the. Moravian book shop 428 main st, bethlehem, pa 18018. Moravian book shop 428 main st bethlehem, pa pubs mapquest.
Moravian book shop in bethlehem, 428 main st, bethlehem. New eatery coming to the moravian book shop, another is. Main street is home to the moravian bookshop, the oldest book store in america, as well as countless shops, boutiques, restaurants and galleries. Bethlehem is always a joy to visit, and one of its most vibrant institutions is the moravian book shop. Mar 16, 2020 the space continued selling religious books and printing religious papers, as it always had, but even at 144 years old, the stores selfidentity remained fluid. Like much of down bethlehem, the moravian book shop has lost its charm.
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