This is a wonderful indie bookstore with a diverse selection of books, nice atmosphere, and kind staff. Great prices as well! Ive only visited once, but I know Ill happily return.

This is a good good local book shop. Nice selection, pleasant layout and atmosphere, convenient location

Excellent informed staff that helped us make some great book decisions for our kids

A really quaint bookstore, and a Durham landmark. Very fun just to walk through, and browse what they have.

Great selection of books and the staff are very helpful.

Helpful staff and a great selection! Go support a local business!

I love the relaxed atmosphere. Wide selection of books. I could spend hours in there

Local institution, patronized by pre-ordering best seller. Pandemic has limited hours for curbside pickup. Extensive childrens selection. Normally hosts authors.

Fantastic local bookstore filled with treasures.

I am perplexed as to why this bookstore is not open for browsing. I really make an effort to shop small independent businesses, but The Regulator makes this very difficult. Their doors are closed and if a book is ordered online, staff is only there 4 hours (in the middle of the day) for pick up.I can order a book from Amazon and have it delivered free of charge to my door the next day, I would rather not do that, but seem to have no choice.

Although you cant enter the store, the curb side service is quick and easy. The staff is kind an accommodating.

Absolutely wonderful independent bookstore. I love dropping in and browsing titles. I almost always find something I havent heard of before that piques my interest. Staff is helpful, especially with suggestions of titles you might like

Best non-used bookstore in the Triangle. Beats Flyleaf and Quail Ridge in terms of selection. I was particularly impressed with an entire section just for fiction in translation! Lots of underknown (in the US) authors from small publishing houses—a great place to discover a new favorite. And generally the best selection of literary fiction you’re going to find in the area.

I have been a frequent customer of this bookstore for some time. I enjoy their selection of books and over atmosphere of the shop, but my experience today makes it difficult for me to choose to spend my money here again. I purchased several books today, a most by notable Black authors. The woman who was working at the register on November 15, 2019 at 10am made sure that I saw her roll her eyes at me several time during my visit. Initially I thought that I was mistaken but as the man working the register checked me out she did so several more times, while standing directly in front of me. I don’t feel that this contributes to the welcoming environment the shop has worked hard to create but it still doesn’t sit well with me.

I work on Ninth Street, and I recently discovered that its just as quick to order books from the Regulator as it is from Amazon. The store didnt have a book I wanted last week, so they offered to put in an order for me. They called 2 days later to say that the book I wanted had arrived and that they would hold it for me for up to 30 days. I didnt have to worry about a package sitting out on my doorstep, and picking up my book gave me an excuse to spend a little time in a bookstore, which I considered a plus. If you spend any time on Ninth Street, try using the Regulator for the next book order you would normally place with Amazon. You may find as I did that the experience is actually better.

This is a fantastic, if cramped, antique shop! The staff here are energetic, eccentric, and really are very knowledgeable about the products they sell. Everyone is here to have fun. Id recommend this place every time.

A really cozy and wonderful bookstore that not only has bestsellers but also works from smaller creatives. A great place to get gifts, notebooks, planners etc. They have a student discount, as well.

Cant wait for them to open back up. Always the best!

The best bookstore in the state, even during a pandemic

Loving a lot of the changes that have happened recently. Brighter, friendly, better organized. Went to the Samuel R Delany event and had an enjoyable time! Definitely stop by if youre in the area.

Cozy spot for book lovers :) have a section with sofas to chill out and enjoy a few moments to read.

Great selection of new and used books in a great location that employs wonderful bibliophiles! Service has always been proactive and friendly but unnecessary because they make clear where to find what genres. Theyre very socially minded and their shop is beautifully laid out. Im more of a used bookie, but you have to go downstairs to find the bargains and second hand selection, which has been small but appealing. Easily the best independent bookstore in Durham, and they make it easy to support them because they are such a great little shop.

Great customer service!

Very nice local bookstore! Well-organized, and the staff is friendly and helpful. One of my favorite places.

Cool spot. Got a copy of The Nation mag there. Cant find it around my town. A lot of different independent mags. Good selection of books in all categories. Shop locally owned.

This place used to be great but they havent been as good since they changed ownership a few years ago. They have a nice open layout though.

Great local bookshop with a wide selection. Clean and comfortable atmosphere too.

They have a little bit of everything. This is my favorite book store. The staff always helps me find the perfect read.

Great, classic book shop. Owners and employees know their stock and make good recommendations, can order and get prompt delivery. I love this place.

Great book store, theyll even order books for you if they dont have it in stock. They always ask me if im part of their book club membership. I always say no and not once has anyone asked if i would like to be or how to become one. :/

Its an independent bookstore that is still in business. Local treasure. New and old titles, books and mags. Its obvious that the people who work there love books. Occasional author meet&greet. Just go and support them supporting all of us.

I love the handwritten recommendations of notes, and the experience of buying one of their carefully curated books is AMAZING. I love how you always find books you never thought you would, and theyre always just what Im looking for without knowing it.

An excellent local bookstore on 9th Street in Durham. Youll find everything from bestsellers, to local authors, to obscure titles. Its easy to spend an entire afternoon browsing their shelves. They regularly host author events and are a big supporter of Durham. Their staff is great. Ive seen them spend about 15 minutes trying to help out a customer find what they were looking for.

Conveniently located on 9th Street with a parking lot across the street, this independent bookseller is my go to source for diverse books, author readings, and book signings in Durham. They are great about ordering books promptly and theres even a discount program for those of us who frequent the Regulator checkout desk. Be sure to get on their email list to keep up with their latest book news and events.

This a family favorite. Dad gets his New York Times, the kids get great childrens books, it is a great bookstore. Please buy your books from there instead of Amazon. 😁

A rare independent bookshop in this Amazon age. Love the local selections and membership discounts on NY Times bestsellers. Regulator has the books you want to read. This book store is for those who enjoy reading.

Really cute little shop. Good book selection, and fun events! Also a good place to just hang out. Books are VERY expensive, however.

They have it, and if they dont, theyll get it for you. Its a clean, calm and helpful place

Love the book store and it has the best book there. The prices are a little bit high

A piece of Durham history and culture! Great finds and great people.

Pretty modest bookshop this close to a major university. Poetry section had none of the major local authors but did pick up the collected poems of Sam Beckett at a good priced.

Great local bookshop, very helpful and knowledgeable staff

Somewhat small, but you can totally lose an hour quite easily perusing the shelves here. Love the selection of works by local writers!

Great kids selection. Service wss great

Smiling faces and warm welcome as soon aa I walked in. Very helpful staff.

Awesome old fashioned bookstore. Lots of kids activities

I have been going to the regulator since I was very little, they have guest authors often and they are always doing something! They always have the best books and the atmosphere is un-beatable! I love the Regulator and so will anyone who goes there.

One of my favorite places to get lost in on 9th Street. A great selection, lots of history, and knowledgeable staff. You just cant get this experience online.

Quaint store offering lots of local flavor for authors. Nice selection of unique kid books and very active with the community.

Wonderful selection of books on a wide variety of topics. (Also magazines and cards) Good recommendations, and plenty of interesting talks by authors.

This is a serious, independent bookstore! Its been in Durham for years and has one of the most knowledgable staffs I have met.

One great bookstore! Friendly staff!

Lovely bookshop! Cant wait to go again.

Great book store. Hosts speakers and offers free gift wrapping

Great little independent bookshop with a surprisingly good selection. Staff are always helpful.

My only wish is that they would keep used books. Im sure they make nothing on them, but I love the serendipity of picking up a random (and cheap) used paperback and perhaps discovering an author.

I love the feel of being in this bookstore.

Wonderful independent book store! You should go there!

Excellent selection. Support your local bookstore!

Great local place. Staff is friendly and helpful.

Great local bookstore with a wonderful and helpful staff!

This bookstore is wonderful, and the staff is very helpful. Its a favorite destination!!

Friendly staff...Great atmosphere...wonderful book signings!

Lovely staff, decent selection, easy online ordering, and cozy. Books, cards, magazines for kids, adolescents, and adults

Just a superd independent bookseller. Going befor I met them in 1994

Excellent selection of periodicals and books, helpful and knowledgeable staff.

Best place to browse and pick up reading material in Durham

Great independent bookshop. The staff know books and the Durham community. Im there about once a week.

Great selections, great events, great staff.

Best independent bookseller. A cornerstone of Durham for decades.

Cute little book store

Not sure it lives up to its legacy now that its only one floor.

Cool bookstore. I got a copy of The Nation mag, which I havent seen in a store in a while.

Durhams original independent bookstore, show them some love!

Great local bookstore with a wonderful and helpful staff!

Local shop, fantastic staff

Terrific local bookstore with knowledgeable staff.

Good selection especially for children’s books

Fun local bookshop with a well-curated selection. Could do with a bit more expansion!

Great selection of books, pleasant place to peruse.

Great local bookstore, friendly and with good recommendations.

Fun author events and great atmosphere. Plus books!

Our fav. local book store

Lots of cool Nick necks to choose from

Awesome independent bookstore with great staff

My favorite local book store

Best little indy bookshop in NC

Nice non chain bookstore.

Wonderful store!

My favorite book store in the Triangle area.

Cool place.

The Regulator has been my bookstore home for over 25 years. A local treasure.

Great local bookstore

Great independent bookstore. Go support them now!

An absolute staple in the Durham community.

Nice local bookshop.

Great place to be.

Locally owned and run.

Nice shop.

Good bookstore!