Old Capitol Books

Monterey, United States

3.9

Open now

8 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 831-333-0383
Website:
oldcapitolbooks.com
Address:
559 Tyler St, Monterey, CA, 93940
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
110 ftTyler/MTP Gate 2
220 ftGate 3
230 ftMunras Gate/Gate 1
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Monterey) 3:33 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Old Capitol Books is Your Local Fine Used and Out Of Print Book Store. We stock a wide selection of books — 40,000+ titles w/​another 6,000 books in the wings, including 3,000 cookbooks! For example, we carry books in the following subjects: Art, Ballet, Birds, Children’s Illustrated, Young Adult Fiction, Drama, Gardening, Pets, Literary Criticism, Marine Biology, Mammals, Fishing, Hunting, Guns, Mathematics, Science, Judaica, Metaphysics, Occult, Religion, U.S. History, and Gay literature. We also have an extensive Military, Interior Design, Architecture, Crafts, and Antiques section.

History

Established in 1983.

My name is Matthew Sundt and I am the proprietor. Old Capitol Books got started by my family in Monterey in 1983 and closed in 2003. In those days Monterey had nine used book stores. Fast forward to October 2012. The Book Haven bookstore in downtown Monterey was closing so I bought the store. I did not want another bookstore to close and I wanted to venture into a new life and make a living near my home. I immediately changed the name to Old Capitol Books. Old Capitol Books is a General Interest/​All Subjects bookstore; there is something for everyone! Old Capitol Books is one of four used book bookstores that remains on the Monterey Peninsula.

Meet the Business Owner

Matthew S.

Business Owner

I have been in the city planning, land development and environmental consulting profession since 1986. In October 2012, I decided to become the proprietor of a book store. I am having a great time putting my imprint on this place. I am an avid cyclist and am currently the President of the Velo Club Monterey and am an inactive racer with VOS Racing. I am also a swimmer and outrigger paddler with our local canoe club — Ke Kai O’Uhane Outrigger Canoe Club. Stephanie, my assistant, is supremely qualified to work at Old Capitol Books as she has a Doctorate in 17th Century Literature from the University of Scotland at Edinburgh and worked in book stores there during her seven tunure in Scotland.

Related places

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Vicinity

Near this location:
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561 Tyler St
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541 Tyler St
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8 reviews of Old Capitol Books

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Pasadena, CA
Nice old book shop. Matthew the owner is very helpful and has a specific taste and collection of books. You can tell this is not your typical big box selection of materials. Plus he’s an avid cyclist and I enjoyed chatting with him about local custom bike builders while admiring his vintage Colnago ti/​carbon racing bike setting upon the shelves. Overall, a book store with character.
Place rating: 1
Seaside, CA
I love to support local bookstores. Too bad its overpriced and I was treated so rudely by the older guy that works here. Not a child friendly place… and my kids were well behaved while in his shop. Go to the shop on lighthouse!
Place rating: 4
Washington, DC
Unexpected gem of a bookstore. Stumbled upon classics and books from childhood. Used books are in excellent condition. Prices even for used books are slightly higher than other places. Bring your sweater since the place is freezing. I guess they also save costs by keeping the temperature below sixty.
Place rating: 5
Monterey, CA
Awesomeness… This is what a used book store should look, feel and smell like. Great selection of used book and helpful staff. An asset to Monterey.
Place rating: 2
Pacific Grove, CA
Well nothing lasts forever. I had a good experience with Captiol Books last year at this time. The owner was offering 30% off his stock, and seemed to be making some progress re-​organizing the store. Service was friendly, and quick.
However my recent experience was not so good. I was greeted by some pungent bums by the front door. Right away I did not feel safe. So I bee lined it to the front door. Inside I noticed the heat was not on. The owner has hired a new shopkeeper whom leaves a lot to be desired. «Sorry, 5 book minimum, hahahahahaha.» Uhm what? Her attempt at a joke wasn’t all that good. Then she proceeded to call the owner and complain she was working to much. And also to converse on what types of beer they should buy, in a rather loud voice. I resigned myself of this convsersation to investigate the book stacks. I went into the stacks found a couple of books I wanted, but no sale this year. Prices have gone up too on the new stock they are taking in. Then the shop keeper mentioned the owner was only doing this as a hobby. Oh great. *sigh* I miss Book Haven, and the two nice gentlemen who ran it. I always felt welcomed there, and was also getting my money’s worth. It was also nice to browse in a quiet environment. Old Captiol Books bites the way it is now. Loud, bums outside, and cheeky jokes just to spend more money than I want to. I won’t be coming back.
Place rating: 5
Santa Cruz, CA
Wow. Hands down one of the very best used book stores I have ever visited. This place is just awesome! A huge collection on just about any topic that interests you. And super friendly service. I did not want to leave. I’ll be back — a lot!
Place rating: 5
Sacramento, CA
I highly recommend this store to book lovers. Huge selection, cozy atmosphere. I intend to visit as often as I can.
Place rating: 5
Monterey, CA
The previous owners of Book Haven retired and sold this quaint, yet vast, book store. With new ownership the store not only has a new name, but also has been re-​vamped as well i.e. you can now not only find books organized by genre but they are also alphabetized! Most all books are in real good to excellent condition. There has not been a book I’ve picked up with marks in it. Their selection of art and art history, as well as American History is vast! There is surely a bit of something for every bibliophile here.