In Rochester, A Bookstore Built for Browsing, Not Rushing
April 18, 2026
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Along Route 100 in Rochester, cars and cyclists pass by as people stop for lunch or ice cream at a local café. Just north of the town green is The Bookery, an antiquarian and used bookstore that feels like home.
On the porch, there’s a hand-painted “FREADOM” sign in red, white, and blue, plus bright flags, piles of books, and two Maine Coon cats ready to welcome visitors.
The Bookery on Route 100
-The Bookery sells used, new and collectibles, as well as books for teens and kids.
Inside, the shelves are packed with books that have outlasted more than a few trends. The bookstore, with its cozy vibe, gives you a reason to linger.
“This is a nice place to just kind of slow down and be,” says bookstore owner Sandy Lincoln.
That emphasis on slowing down is something Lincoln carries with her, shaped by years in the book world and living in an off-the-grid home in town.
“By selling used books, one of the things it does is keep books in circulation,” she explains. “It keeps books out of the landfill.”
This philosophy guides how Lincoln sources and curates antiquarian volumes, used fiction, and out-of-print cookbooks for the bookstore.
When people visit, she wants them to feel inspired and welcome, whether they are making a purchase or just browsing.
“People can take their time and look around,” she says. “And I want them to have a sense of discovery.”
While you’re there, make sure you say hello to her cats, Pips and George, who live at the store.
“They are our official mascots,” Lincoln says. “And they get a lot of attention.”
You can meet Lincoln and other antiquarian and used booksellers on May 3 in St. Albans at the 34th Annual Book, Postcard and Ephemera Fair.
A handprinted sign on the front porch of The Bookery in Rochester.
The Bookery is located at 42 North Main Street (Route 100) in Rochester. Follow The Bookery on Facebook.
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