About Our Store

The Montclair Book Center has been a part of the downtown Montclair scene since late 1984. Opened by Peter Ryby as a branch of the Passaic Book Center, a now closed, but legendary book and comic book store. Beginning on a much smaller scale, MBC has grown significantly to include three levels and two buildings full of books, featuring titles that range from classic literature to popular fiction as well as collector’s items.

By combining new and used, MBC proudly carries an incredibly wide array of books. Organized and arranged by category, our 2 store front store is great for browsing. From the beginning until now, there has been continuity in MBC’s management and ownership. Our highly knowledgeable staff collectively has over 100 years of bookselling experience, and we love to give recommendations and advice. But MBC is about much more than our personal tastes.

MBC has always had its focus on the printed book, but offers much, much more. MBC also carries a fantastic selection of vinyl records and CDs in many musical genres. The recently expanded vinyl selection now includes a basement bargain section. We also carry journals, tarot cards, puzzles, and even some music related posters, t-shirts and memorabilia.

Feel free to contact us for more details including information about our future plans.

How We Get Used Books

We don't pay cash.  We accept donations (which is when you give them to us for free), and we trade for in-store used-book credit (not good for new books, music, or any other merchandise: just used books).  The credit doesn’t expire, and is stored in our computer system attached to your name.

Please call ahead on the same day you want to come in.

We don't take books in during the weekend, with occasional small exceptions.  That is, sometimes about a handful of books, having called first on the same day.

During the week (so Tuesday through Friday, since we're closed Monday) we may be able to take in up to two milk crates' worth of books.  We also may not.  Sometimes UPS blows in here with 11 boxes of new books for us to process and shelve; we don't know when this is going to happen, so we don't make appointments ahead of time.  You always have to call on the same day you want to come in.

Some books we cannot take in:

  • Magazines
  • Encyclopedias
  • Textbooks
  • Dated reference (travel guides, old computer books, old business books, old diet books)
  • Modern hardcover fiction, with the exception of Stephen King, whose fans will ravenously purchase him in any and all formats
  • Many used kids' books (we are extra strict on the condition of these books)

Some books we love to take in:

  • Philosophy
  • Esoterica
  • Spirituality
  • Paperback fiction

Of course, we also evaluate the books based on their condition and what we already have in stock.

Most importantly, call first.  On the same day.  You have to call first on the same day.  Call first, same day.  Thank you.

Directions to Montclair Book Center 
A map of part of Montclair, with a star representing the location of the store at the intersection of Glenridge Avenue and Bloomfield Avenue near North Fullerton Avenue.

From the North – Take the Garden State Parkway South to the Watchung Ave (exit 151). Make a right onto Watchung Avenue; travel about 1 miles west until you come to a traffic light at Grove Street (on the left hand corner is the Marlboro Inn). Make a left onto Grove Street, continuing going south, you will go over a set of railroad tracks, continue to the second traffic light after the tracks which is Glenridge Ave. Make a right onto Glenridge and we are about 3 blocks up on the right.

From the South – Take the Garden State Parkway North to the Bloomfield Ave (exit 148). You want to go west on Bloomfield, but as you can not make a left at the traffic light at the end of the ramp, continue through the light and make a U-Turn at the next intersection. At the traffic light make a right onto Bloomfield Ave. Continue going west on Bloomfield Ave. for about 2 miles you will come to a traffic light at North Willow Street, turn right onto North Willow and then the first left onto Glenridge Ave. We will be about 2 blocks on the right.

From the West – Travel east on Route 46, take the Route 3 exit, and then the first exit (Grove Street) after you have merged onto Route 3. Turn right traveling South on Grove Street about 4 miles you will go over a set of railroad tracks, continue to the second traffic light after the tracks this is Glenridge Ave. Make a right onto Glenridge and we are about 3 blocks on the right.

From Manhattan and Points East – Take the Lincoln Tunnel out of Manhattan and then take the Route 3 exit, traveling west. Continue on Route 3 until you come to the Grove Street exit. Make a left onto Grove Street traveling south. Travel South on Grove Street about 4 miles you will go over a set of railroad tracks, continue to the second traffic light after the tracks which is Glenridge Ave. Make a right onto Glenridge and we are about 3 blocks up on the right.

Need More Detail? (opens new browser window)