I love the Regulator--it's one of the things that has always drawn me to Durham. As a Duke student, I loved that I could walk there for author events and just to browse. Now that I live in Durham... More

I love the Regulator--it's one of the things that has always drawn me to Durham. As a Duke student, I loved that I could walk there for author events and just to browse. Now that I live in Durham and work at Duke, I still frequent this place! The staff is friendly and helpful, and going in there is like visiting an old friend. The only reason I didn't give them a full 10 is because the shop makes me feel a little claustrophobic, especially when there are a lot of people there, like for an event or on a Saturday afternoon... They are a dedicated anchor on the changing face of 9th Street, and I would never want them to move, but I wish there were some way to open up their space a little better! Pros: Staff, Selection, Atmosphere Cons: They've overgrown their space!
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This bookstore is very conveniently located near Duke's East Campus. Their inventory obviously is not as extensive as the big chain stores, but they make up for that with their charm (and sometimes... More

This bookstore is very conveniently located near Duke's East Campus. Their inventory obviously is not as extensive as the big chain stores, but they make up for that with their charm (and sometimes it's nice not to be overwhelmed with so many books). Their eating and studying area downstairs is also lovely. Also, the staff is very nice and willing to help you.
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Lose yourself in this nifty bookstore. It's also a cafe and the bookstore is located on funky ninth street. Staff is pretty friendly and helpful. They offer events as well, with writers coming to... More

Lose yourself in this nifty bookstore. It's also a cafe and the bookstore is located on funky ninth street. Staff is pretty friendly and helpful. They offer events as well, with writers coming to read and also sign their books. They offer giftcards, they will make suggestions, and they support local authors. PROS: independent bookstore, friendly CONS: nothing really
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This bookstore is kind of small compared to the big chains these days, but it maintains a unique small town feel. Also, you would be supporting an independent, local business! The selections are... More

This bookstore is kind of small compared to the big chains these days, but it maintains a unique small town feel. Also, you would be supporting an independent, local business! The selections are nice and they also have good sales. The eating area is also small but good.
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Part of me wanted to give this bookstore 3 stars. There was a time when I would have loved to pop in this store to buy the latest romance. But you're not going to find romances at the Regulator.... More

Part of me wanted to give this bookstore 3 stars. There was a time when I would have loved to pop in this store to buy the latest romance. But you're not going to find romances at the Regulator. However, you will find great academic resources. Local and regional fiction. Detailed special collections. An immense selection of magazines. Fun postcard racks. An atmosphere welcoming to literary types and freethinkers. This place feels like a real bookstore. One that has charted its own path. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you have special interests.
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Regulator Bookshop is one of my favorite bookstores to find original books and also hard-to-find books. It is a small, independently owned shop and they sell a little bit of every subject. They... More

Regulator Bookshop is one of my favorite bookstores to find original books and also hard-to-find books. It is a small, independently owned shop and they sell a little bit of every subject. They usually will have to order specific books that I am looking for, but I just love to come here and browse. I have made many great unexpected finds here!
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Regulator Bookshop is one of my favorite bookstores to find original books and also hard-to-find books. It is a small, independently owned shop and they sell a little bit of every subject. They... More

Regulator Bookshop is one of my favorite bookstores to find original books and also hard-to-find books. It is a small, independently owned shop and they sell a little bit of every subject. They usually will have to order specific books that I am looking for, but I just love to come here and browse. I have made many great unexpected finds here!
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I visited this bookstore since it was so close to Duke University. It seemed like a nice, cozy place with interesting book selection. In addition to your basic fiction, there are tons of other... More

I visited this bookstore since it was so close to Duke University. It seemed like a nice, cozy place with interesting book selection. In addition to your basic fiction, there are tons of other genres, including some that I would blush if I wandered into. I was pleased to see a very thorough cultural studies section. There is a magazine section as well as what looked to me to be homemade publications, which later someone told me were "fanzines." Those are quite amusing (though rather risque). In general, I had the feeling this was quite a liberal bookstore. The staff seem friendly, or at least they came by several times to ask if I needed help. There are lots of "staff suggestion" cards sticking out of their favourite books. I guess I was expecting this to be a used book store, not a regular one, so I wouldn't buy anything here unless it was a rare book. There is a cafe area, since coffee goes so well with books. I've also seen signs for book signings (former President Jimmy Carter came by to sign his novel) and readings, so this place, though small, is quite happening. Nice place to browse and waste a couple of hours, without the snooty Barnes and Nobles posers.
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Regulator is a reader's paradise. Lose yourself in stacks of magazines/fanzines and the latest releases. A chatty, knowledgeable staff won't hesitate to make a recommendation or steer you in the... More

Regulator is a reader's paradise. Lose yourself in stacks of magazines/fanzines and the latest releases. A chatty, knowledgeable staff won't hesitate to make a recommendation or steer you in the right direction. Drop by almost any night of the week and you're bound to find an up-and-coming writer, best-selling author or cult favorite reading.
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A mainstay of Durham for nearly 30 years the Regulator bookshop is independently owned and operated and carries a little bit of everything. When you've finished browsing through the upstairs (don't... More

A mainstay of Durham for nearly 30 years the Regulator bookshop is independently owned and operated and carries a little bit of everything. When you've finished browsing through the upstairs (don't miss the wonderful kids section in the back) you can meander downstairs to their cafe (with internet access) and enjoy a cup of tea, a vegan lunch, and relax!
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