Freebird Books & Goods

Freebird is my idea of a perfect used/​indie bookstore. Homey, comfy, old-​timey, well-​organized, somewhat eclectic, and not over-​stuffed. The ambiance is welcoming, not overwhelming. I particularly like the New York City section encompassing history, memoirs, fiction, photography, and social issues such as politics and homelessness. By the front entrance is a sunny parlor where I can sit and spend some time perusing my armful of «maybes» before buying them. I noticed the shelf of post-​apocalyptic/​dystopian books, and saw that there’s a book discussion group and a Meetup to go with it – interesting! Freebird takes donations of used books, and operates the nonprofit volunteer org «Books Through Bars» providing books to prisoners – cool! I declined to accept a bag for my purchases, but I appreciate that the bags are paper and not plastic. I also appreciate that the full range of credit cards including Amex and Discover are accepted. The very friendly owner says the store is open sometimes other than weekends, but not on a regular basis. I guess you’d have to call.

I stumbled upon this place by coincidence today. They’ve got a great selection of mostly used books and a cozy atmosphere.

Such a great find. I’m glad my friend and I stumbled upon this bookstore. The selection is quality and has a very quaint feel to it. There is a long bench seat and an armchair if you want to sit around and check it out. Some of the sections are pretty witty– insowhich books are sectioned off by cool book jackets and unfortunate author bio photographs. Prices are very reasonable to the point that I am thinking about coming through to support this place rather than ordering online like I have been the past 12 years.
Worth it.

I visited this small (used) bookstore today and the selection was just fair, plus the young woman working there never acknowledged my presence (even though I was the only customer). Truthfully, I feel the store only deserves a two-​star rating — but the owner has a great sense of humor (as evidenced by a few humorous signs) and therefore I’m giving three stars.

I so love this bookstore… our neighborhood couldn’t be without it. I specially love the «bad titles» «nice jackets» and «truly weird titles» section. I hope Freebird thrives and continues flourishing forever!

Cozy bookshop that will be out of the way for most folks in Brooklyn. Cobble Hill, you guys are so lucky to have easy access to this spot!
I made the trek over here because I wanted to donate a couple of paperbacks. Housing Works is a more viable option for me since it’s closer, but I kind of have beef with them right now. I also could’ve gone to Salvation Army, but I didn’t feel like dealing with potentially rude store associates and walking into the (normally) dinge-​y smelling place.
So after doing some light google searching, Freebird came up on my radar. Although they are only open on weekends, this was perfect for me as I had a lazy Sunday in Brooklyn to take advantage of, and I needed to get these books outta my hands since I’ll be moving out of the country soon.
I walk in to see a nice nook on my right, and someone tucked away in the back, ready to assist. The man there was very grateful for my donation of 8 paperbacks. He was even so nice as to let me take one book (for free) as an appreciation for my donation!
I did some browsing and I felt most of the books were in pretty good condition. It also looked like they had some rare books to offer.
Not sure when I’ll be able to stop by again, which bums me out. :(But I highly recommend checking it out and supporting this business if you’re in the area.
(Also, if you do want to donate books to a cause, Freebird has volunteers from Books Through Bars, a collective that provides paperbacks to prisoners behind bars. However, this is temporary. Check out their website for updated info:
)
Unnecessary P. S.: love the old school Moxie ad in the front window. These people can seriously do no wrong in my book.

I love this store. Unfortunately, they seem to only be open on weekends right now. Great selection of eclectic books, somewhat akin to «ban-​a-​book» at Washington Square Park. Hopefully they can eventually stay open for more hours (ie week-​days).

If you like books and enjoy reading you’ll love Freebird.

Great place, run by really nice folks. They’ve got a good selection of used books at fair prices. Browsing around, you almost get the feeling that you’re hanging out in the living room of a book-​loving friend who’s happy to let you take home any of his books… for a small price.
The post-​apocalyptic book club is great, too… check it out here:

One of my good friends who lives in Brooklyn brought me to Freebird Books & Goods, and after only being there once, I can’t wait to go back! I LOVE to read and hunt for great books – this spot is THE place to do it! Book lovers unite with good books, good drinks, comfy furniture and good vibes!

I have been buying books from Freebird since they opened — several each month and am very pleased with the selection. Peter has done a fine job of maintaining the friendly feeling that the women founders created.
I cannot recommend them too highly.
Great store.

One of those places that makes me happy to live in this city. Buy books from Freebird!

What’s not to like about this wonderful down to earth place. Glad they are our neighbor so get out and support them. Buy books.
I have some excuse cause i am a dad, run my own small biz, and generally i’m insane. I digress.
Buy books. From them. Live better.

My favorite bookstore in the city. I don’t live nearby anymore, but I always get something when I’m in the neighborhood to help support it.
This place is small but has a pretty diverse selection. I always find something interesting. They have some new books from independent publishers, as well.

Books and wine, two of my favorite things done in an unassuming fashion. If it wasn’t so out of the way, I’d stop in more often. Nothing but love!

Yay! I’m a fan! Freebird is on the stretch of Columbia Street between Kane and Degraw that has been under construction for years. It’s across from one of the last working piers in Brooklyn. There’s a mountain of salt on the other side of the street, literally. And, as a result of its location, Freebird has struggled.
I think it changed owners last year, as I recall, but time sped up after my children were born, so maybe it was two years ago. It has odd hours, or no daytime hours. It may be the new owner’s hobby. I’m not sure. I have always liked it and want it to succeed, but nearly half the time I walk over there, the gate is down.
The construction is almost done, but Columbia Street is now a major thoroughfare that leads from the Atlantic Avenue exit of the BQE to Fairway and IKEA. There’s a lot of truck traffic and since I live nearby we’re often flagged down by people in cars who feel a little lost and are looking for directions – but not directions to Freebird.
All this rambling for what? Well, here’s the thing. Good coffee, if you happen by when it’s open. Good books. It reminds me of a college bookstore that my parents took me to in the 1970s more than anything else. It’s not so aspiring as Book Court, but neither is it a chaotic mess like the Community Book Store on Court Street. If you want to go, go soon. It’s location is not ideal, so don’t wait. There’s no telling how long it will be there.

It’s what every independent bookstore should strive for. Very laid back environment. Books, coffee, and moxie. What else do you want. It’s great to just peruse the shelves of freebird before you grab a drink at Alma.

I discovered Freebird books the day I looked at an apartment in the neighborhood. I can’t help but admit that it’s presence helped to win my heart. Since then, I’ve become a regular customer and a denizen of the Post Apocalyptic Book Group. I agree with the previous two reviewers about everything that they say and would also put forth that Peter, the owner, does his damndest to make things more interesting by creating a great events series.
GO TO FREEBIRD BOOKS. Buy used books; or new books from small book stores.

Stepping into Freebird Books feels like stepping into a friend’s (a friend who is, of course, incredibly well-​read and has a serious book fetish) apartment.
This is what Brooklyn does best — It gives you a small-​town feel with big-​city mentality. It’s the kind of vibe that warms my heart, and it’s the kind of vibe that Freebird has mastered.
Comfortable stuffed chairs that belong in a grandmother’s attic? Yep. Great used book selection and low prices? Check. Coffee? Tea? Beer? Wine? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Friendly owner who actually appears to care about both his books and the neighborhood? Mmmhmm.
The store is a little out of the way (death to the BQE, that’s all I’m saying), but it’s not THAT out of the way. It’s on the way, in fact, to many prime destinations (Pit Stop, Alma, Baked, and Fairway, to name a few), and it’s definitely worth a trip.
So stop by. Have a glass of wine, and settle in with a book (I recently found an old Gourmet cookbook from 1950 that sucked me in). Get comfortable. Stay a while. Buy something. We’re all neighbors here.