Beat Book Shop

So here’s the thing, i genuinely believe this man is on the spectrum, very high functioning. He has built and curated an amazing and unique collection of books and historical pieces. HOWEVER i believe he does not have the capacity to filter his thoughts and is prone to outbursts and obscene and sometimes insensitive comments. Knowing these things keep in mind the experience is worth a bit of awkward questions about your age, confusing rules and the items and arbitrary pricing.

I came here a few weeks ago and had a very odd experience with the owner. To start the stores hours don't seem accurate at all. Me and my girlfriend wanted to check it out for a couple weeks and everyday that it said they were open was closed. Idk maybe we just showed up on bad days. Every time. But the one time the shop was open was later in the day. Awesome!! Anyways we finally get to check out this cool book shop! Except when we get into the shop the guy was just really awkward talking to us. He ESPECIALLY was set on asking questions about age and age related questions. It was super weird and just uncomfortable. I asked him some other question about what time he closed and opened because his hours seemed so weird and he just laughed and never said anything. Very odd experience. Maybe he's just kind of an awkward guy? But it definitely was an uncomfortable experience for us.

This is a Boulder institution. A unique experience with a unique selection. Every time we visit Pearl Street we have to stop in. The owner is very knowledgeable and seems to try very hard to get to know his patrons.

Genuinely avoid this store at all costs. The owner is rude and doesn’t seem to be okay. I went there with my cousin and brother and the amount of discomfort felt is concerning. As I got into the store the owner was complaining about people not buying things and honestly I don’t blame them at all. I was planning on leaving right after I bought an over priced vinyl from This man but that wasn’t my concern at the time. During this process he’s still complaining and making subjective comments on my cousin. I’m about to leave and accidentally knocked over a book, no biggie right? But no, he’s starts screaming and telling me not to move so I don’t and he then goes on to lash out and show such a high amount of disrespect. I wish I could get a refund and I regret going. I’m only writing this review 5 months later because my cousin went there again and had an even worse experience.

I've bought books from Tom since he opened off the mall years ago. Great guy and one of the hippest stores in boulder!! Looks like he is in left hand books spot. I know Tom from the Sundown Saloon also. He care about HIS business and is dedicated to it. He is not rude, short or any of the negative comments made. Buy from Beat Books!!!

Dear owner, you don’t live in reciprocity with your community, you insult it. "Your shop is not a museum" but you stage it like one? Three girls came into your shop who love BOOKS, travel, and quirky spots. You were stifling, abrasive, and an embarrassment to yourself. May your vanity project of a store become more stale with every passing day. We came inside to get warm on our walk home. Your store could’ve been a refuge, but instead it reflected your pretension and disconnect. Go back to the circus, you might learn something.

I went here with a friend and overall had a bad experience. The owner was really rude and took a call to chat with his friend while I waited to ask something (completely wasting my time) and he rudely told the person on the phone of the "2 teenagers who are here and won’t buy anything". along with this, he made creepy comments to my friend. he continually referred to her hair and asked questions about her age. he then ended his 10 minutes of odd comments by comparing her to one of the "most beautiful women ever" and when she was trying to make indicators about being uncomfortable, he told me "i don’t want your girl man." keep in mind, we are obviously younger and this guys was so much older. it was overall a very strange and uncomfortable interaction, and we will not be returning. He also asked 100$ for a magazine that goes for as low as 9$ online.