Had the privilege of being the first customer to visit after the store had been closed for what I assumed was a reorganization of their massive inventory. I was very clearly a fish out of water, I just needed to help my sister find a book for school. The staff were very welcoming and friendly, and they were eager to help us find what we needed. Definitely looking forward to my next trip here :)

I live up the street from this store and have been supporting them since the beginning of the pandemic. i read about a book a week and switched from amazon to start going to this store because i knew how much local spots were struggling. i preorder all my books and am in there all the time. they’ve been under construction for a while so i’ve been getting caught up and waiting to go in. today i was walking my dog and noticed they were open so i stopped to see if i could walk in with my dog in my arms. i asked if i could and the man behind the counter interrupted me and said “we’re requiring masks!” which of course, i knew. i just wasn’t planning to go inside anywhere today so i didn’t have one. i’m not some anti masker. i totally respect stores requiring a mask! i’ve been vaccinated since april. i asked if they had one i could wear and the man didn’t even respond to me. he just went back to what he was doing. he just brushed me off like i didn’t even exist. like i was some bad person for not carrying around a mask with me every time i walk my dog (he’s a puppy so like 6 times a day!) it was so rude! they were sorting through posters or something. i live in cary town and try really hard to support all the local businesses. but talking down to a customer, especially one who has given hundreds if not thousands to support you is in bad taste. i was very disappointed and will be taking my business elsewhere. i’ve never written a google review before but this really bothered me. kindness matters.

Always appreciate their curated selections and looking for a used book treasure. Cant wait for in person shopping to be the norm, but their appointment system and general ordering has been excellent in the interim!

I LOVE this bookshop! Not only is it local, but throughout the pandemic they have ordered books for me and made it easy to pay them remotely and even delivered books to my house (Im in the neighborhood) as a courtesy. So easy to work with and quick to respond to emails!! I HIGHLY recommend them even for pandemic remote shopping!

Appreciate that masks are still required so my high risk child is able to still get books.

Great selection and customer service. It helps theyre across the street from a delicious coffee/tea shop. Theyve done a great job being more accessible during the pandemic, too.

One of my favorite establishments in richmond. so many great books!

Right now you have to make an appointment at their website for visiting time and abide by their COVID-19 protocol. But the staff is friendly and helpful. Plenty of categories to choose from.

I really love this bookstore! they have a great selection of used books that is very reasonably priced. they also do an excellent job curating new books. throw in some awesome t-shirts and jigsaw puzzles, add a smart, knowledgeable and attentive staff, top with an awesome shop cat, and youve got Chop Suey. Wandering around here was one of my favorite things to do pre-COVID. Cant wait til I can do that again regularly. I almost always walk out of there with an arm load of books and a smile on my face.

Very helpful through Instagram. Great selection. In store shopping by appointment only.

I used to go in here occasionally, often buying the 1$ books outside the store. Sadly, Covid-19 meant that I couldn’t do that anymore, but instead, I’ve been buying a steady flow of used books over the phone. Every time I’ve called they’ve been super helpful, and I’ve never been disappointed with the service. They don’t always have the books you want, but that’s part of the fun! I highly recommend calling in books from chop suey, and I would even continue to do it, even as we begin to be in person again.

I absolutely love this book store! I have been coming here for over 7 years now and have never been disappointed. They have an excellent selection of new and used books and they are always willing to order something for you if they dont have it. The staff is always very sweet and helpful and the in store kitty is too cute not to pet! I try to support this book store whenever I can because its a independent business staple here in Richmond and you should too! Highly recommend!

Tons of new and old books plus some magazines, second story seems daunting but if you are willing to browse youll find something. Employees are knowledgeable and nice. Good atmosphere.

I just wanted to talk about what a great experience Ive had with Chop Suey Books in Carytown over the last two weeks. Im starting a Kindergarten curriculum with my kids this month and they have been so willing and helpful. They made it so easy to get our reading list pulled together. All I did was email them a picture of our required reading and they pulled what they had in store (used or new) and then ordered the rest for me. They let me know once it all came in and brought my order in a box to our car so I didnt have to walk all the children inside. I was so happy to support a local business, but they really served our family in return. If you can think of a need they could meet- you should give them a call.

Wonderful selection of books, old and new. Local business with good prices and excellent COVID protocol, including local delivery! The cat is a bonus

My very favorite local bookshop.

This fine establishment always offers personal service and the books never disappoint. I am grateful to have Chop Suey in our community and especially in the lives of my kids to help broaden their horizons.

Very helpful staff! They ordered me in a special book!

Support local bookstores! I’ve bought several books through their new email ordering system which has been easy and seamless.

**Avoid if you’re allergic to cats, they do have a store cat**I really enjoy this store! It’s two stories, and the second story is very charming, it’s got wood floors that creak when you walk, but that makes it feel like an authentic book shop in my opinion.Their prices seem to be pretty good and the staff is always friendly.

Ward is probably the rudest store owner on Cary Street ...which is saying a lot. Hes full of himself and will rip you off EVERY CHANCE HE GETS. Id avoid this store.

One of my all-time favorite businesses in Richmond! Cozy, friendly, and has an awesome selection of new and used books. If they don’t have something you’re looking for, they can order it. Plus they have a shop cat, Wonton! Perfection.

One of my favorite local bookstores!

Great selection, helpful staff, and their “blind date with a book” has a good return policy

A weird story but here goes. On my way to Richmond I was listening to a podcast about a specific ghost hunter. Apparently they had written quite a few books in their lifetime. I thought to myself if only there was a collection of those books. Fast forward to a trip to one of my favorite book stores in America and what do I find? A collection of his books for a crazy low cost.I love this place and enjoy the look and feel of it. A true find for someone looking for new or old literature. Also say hi to WonTon!

Huge selection of new and used books. One of my favorite places to stop in Carytown. Love WonTon, too!

Excellent selection of new and used books. Amazing, knowledgeable, and friendly staff. You can do a terrible job describing what you are looking for and they still are able to figure it out. I always find something here I didn’t know I was looking for and have found so many books to gift I never would thought of on my own.Don’t forget they have a second floor.Every bookstore needs a cat and WonTon is best of them.

It was so cool to explore. I didnt get to spot the cat tho 😔.

The cashiers are friendly, the books are endless, and the vibe is sensational. I found the book that I was looking for, fairly priced and in good condition. They have new and used books. The only down side was I came in with a full bladder. Other than that it went wonderfully.

This is a fantastic independent bookstore offering new and gently used books and events like author readings. They have a wonderful, eclectic collection and Ive never left without something in my hand. The staff is extremely well-read and are great with suggestions. If the reader is only interested in popular, easy reading this may not be the place for them. This is a store catering to the eternally curious, the reading adventurous, the lovers of a well-written word, and lots of writers. It is not uncommon to see Richmonds writer class somewhere in the shelves looking for the next great book. Also I particularly like their graphic novels section. They have a wide variety and it is always changing. They mostly offer used graphic novels which is also a plus. If you do not know how to parallel park, there is a small parking garage only a block away. It is free but is often crowded. It is worth learning to park if it means you get to go to this bookstore.

Best Local Book Store Ive ever been to. The mystery bags are really cool too.

So fun! You could spend hours in here. They have a cat too which is awesome. Very nice kitty. I went to the holiday bizarre thing which is upstairs and it was really cool. Local artists make stuff for it. Also they have a lot more books up there. I will say they dont have a lot of gift type stuff (things you find around the register at these types of places) but whatever. It was awesome and in a really fun area.

Nothing but GREAT to say about this dear store, and its FOLKS, over many years ❤️

Chop Suey Books is a gem of Carytown. Great selection of new and used books. The atmosphere is great and the staff are super friendly. This place can easily eat up 2 hours of your day!Chop Suey is Richmond’s best independent bookstore. Do yourself a favor and stop by!!

This bookstore is a must-visit if you are in the Carey Town area! Its a very cozy and friendly shop, with mountains of books. Theres a very comfortable and welcoming atmosphere here, not to mention their cat is the sweetest pet youll ever meet! You should definitely come visit Chop Suey Books if youre ever nearby! Good prices, fun choices, wonderful people, and a beautiful shop! Overall, a great place! I can only hope that you will love it as much as I do!

I love the upstairs here. Lots of awesome old books to look through. I had a few in mind, but I was able to find the main book I was looking for in near minutes.

Charming store with lovingly curated selection of books and knowledgeable staff. Great selection of used books related to Eastern religions and Buddhism upstairs. Wonton, the adorable bookstore cat, can often be seen loafing around the store.

This is a wonderful book store! They have a plethora of books from all genres on every topic you can imagine! I also love how many of their books include the authors autograph! I recommend heading upstairs first. The amount of books they carry is almost overwhelming! There is definitely something for everybody!

U always find a gem. The ppl who work here are super sweet and are always ready to help. My only complaint is that they always have Ayn Rand garbage in their philosophy section. But other then that its a dope bookstore!

My favorite bookstore in Richmond. They have an eclectic selection of new and used books. The staff is always friendly. I can always find a treasure in there or something I wouldnt have found elsewhere.

This book store has many great things happening! New books, used books, even blind date with a book! The staff seems pretty quiet but they are knowledgable if you have questions for them. Events like readings from local authors are fun to attend.

This place has so many books i feel as though the building might collapse lol. Huge selection. Whatever you are looking for they probably have it. Definitely worth checking out. Lots of blind dates with books as well if you like a surprise. Very reasonable prices. And friendly staff.

Chop Suey is hands down one of the best local book stores in RVA. It has quickly become one of the spots on Cary that I always have to visit when Im in the area. The staff is happy to special order books that they may not have in stock and the new book portion of the store is a great mix of both best-sellers and smaller and local authors. The upstairs used book section is carefully organized and its easy to find whatever topic you may be looking for. Plus the namesake kitty is a sweetie who is always a joy to see roaming around the stacks!

This store is eye catching and interesting however, I was disgusted with the level caring that the clerks provided for me. Wanting to support a home grown local shop I went in searching for an HP Lovecraft book. Upon entering I was given no greeting at all and after floundering around the store for a few minutes I had to make the first interaction, which was weird. I asked where the book would be kept. I was told it was upstairs. Instead of showing me where the book was both of them continued about their business and ignored me. Instantly put off, I figured I would at least look for it myself. The upstairs is a poorly labeled mess and I had no clue where anything was. After 10 minutes of wandering upstairs aimlessly, one of the clerks came up. He didnt say anything at all, let alone ask me if I needed any help. At this point I was so frustrated I walked downstairs and head toward the exit. Right as I was about to leave I turned and looked at the clerk. He simply said, bye. I chuckled and walked out. It was as if they didnt want my business at all. The funny thing is, that while I was wondering upstairs, I easily saw three other books I would have bought along with my initial purchase, but because they didnt even try they lost out on a much larger sale. Business like this does not deserve to be in business. Dont be rude, help your customers, because now Im going to Barnes and Noble and I dont care about paying extra. At least their employees are helpful.

I found the store to be well organized and have a large selection. Their problem lies in customer service and customer experience which seems to not be a priority at all. Though I was shopping and spending money in the store when I asked to use a restroom I was directed to ask around at the other shops in the area, where I was NOT spending my shopping dollars. When I called before I drove aFairly long distance to the store to ask about some specific books I was searching for the clerk was very “meh” about helping me figure out if it was worth the drive. A quick look on the shelf could have confirmed they had the books. But this was not offered at all. So customer service is certainly very minimal. They are there to cash you out. Not help you.

Great spot to wander around and find lots of great used books. Nice staff and awesome shop kitty too.

A great selection of books, kind and knowledgeable staff... and a cute cat, of course!

Such a delightful book store. Everyone owes it to themselves to spend an hour or two browsing quietly. You will not be disappointed.

Amazing book store with a combination of new and used books. The selection is incredible and will always surprise you, no matter what kind of books you’re into. Also you can definitely find some cheap used textbooks here.

One of my favorite places in Richmond. They always have a fantastic selection of new releases, or some great hidden gems in older used books, and they host book readings/signings, art shows/pop-ups, and other events really frequently. The staff is incredibly helpful with recommendations or tracking down a book, and the shop cat Wonton is a plus! Pro tip: order your books through Chop Suey instead of a big wholesaler like Amazon. It arrives quickly, I believe they give you a little discount plus no shipping costs, and of course you are supporting a local business instead of a massive corporation.

Great bookstore!

I sold a lot of books to them and they always give me a fair price. Cool bookshop with a great used selection! One of my favorite businesses in Richmond.

New and used books. Great bookshop in Carytown! Always my first stop when visiting.

What a treasure! Such a cute bookstore with a variety of genres, new and used, to choose from, plus, there is a bookstore kitty to pet while you browse.

I spent $200 on books here. They have punk and genderqueer zines that are affordable and important to counterculture in the area. Up the stairs you can find a great comparative religion section with plenty of Eastern religion books as well as books on cultural mythology. Plus they have a window cat.

This book store reminds me a lot of the feminist book store from the show Portlandia. Its hilarious. But this store has two stories full of cool used books. My mom got me ten Robert E. Howard paperbacks from here (Im a big fan) for about three bucks each. Its next to a great burger place so get hit both up.

Dont bother going here. The employees are rude and not every helpful. 2 sell girls sat behind the sells desk and didnt help. And this guy was a world class jerk.

Awesome bookstore! Tons of new and used books. Two stories, with used books upstairs. Great selection of science books. Very friendly and helpful staff. No real selection of childrens books, though.

What could be better than a used book store. They also sell many new books. Although they have a rich collection of all main categories, they specialize in local books, art and culture books. They buy used books for cash or credit but they are very selective. A treasure of a store.

Funky + plugged in with the RVA scene. Their compilations of local stories and poetry are really cool.

If you have 10 minutes to spare, go! Its better if you have more time so you can check out the amazing collection upstairs, too! Staff are friendly and helpful. You can also sell books back!

Chop Suey has a great variety of books at reasonable prices. But lets be honest the reason you want to go is to see the cat. Its okay to admit that.

Amazing collection, knowledgeable staff, and enchanting atmosphere.

My family and I took a 3 day trip from NY to DC a month or so ago. After all of the sight seeing in DC, we decided to visit Richmond VA before we finally packed it up to head back to NY. The drive from DC to Richmond was absolutely beautiful. Without any planning or intention we ended up dinning for lunch on Cary Street in Richmond. My wife and my two daughters were intrigued by the boutique style stores (not my thing as there are so many in NY) . We all agreed to take two hours apart to explore what we felt was a fascinating strip of stores. Myself being one who likes to venture into independent book stores had the pleasure of spending most if not all of my time at Chop Suey. I have to say that their unique collection and inventory was great if not amazing. The same goes for their helpful and knowledgeable staff. Thanks - and two thumbs up.

Great collection of used books that get into some really niche topics without becoming a disorganized mess which can often happen at bookshops

If you like books youre going to like this place. Dont miss the upstairs.

This is an awesome locally owned bookstore. I especially enjoyed the variety in the used book section.

My son ended buying 10 books. Better than expected. We will go back.

Super cool collections of new and used books. Every time Im back in Carytown, Im sure Im gonna drop by to see what i can find.

Cute shop with a good selection, but most of the books are new and full priced rather than being used. The sections arent marked clearly, but youre bound to find something by wandering through. Friendly staff (and cat).

Always an excellent experience. Great cross section of books to choose from both old and new. Friendly helpful staff.

Best book store in town. The table across from the register always has great new fiction, and the price and selection of used books is great. Theres definitely something for everyone here.

I’m a bookaholic 100%, and this is my favorite bookstore anywhere. They have a wide range of genres, new and used options. Used selections in general can be very hit or miss, but I’ve never walked in here and not walked out with something. Prices for used books are reasonable—$4-$8 for most of them and a few more for a first edition hardback.

Very kind and helpful staff. Prices are really fair too. Didnt have time to check out the upstairs, but look forward to heading up there next time.

Broad selection at reasonable prices. Interesting layout and relaxing atmosphere. Busy but attentive staff. In short, an excellent used-book store.

Cozy and very affordable used bookstore. I always can find a few new books to read in the fiction section upstairs.

Excellent selection of books. Best poetry selection I’ve found since moving to the Richmond area. Very kind staff and Wonton the kitty is precious and loving.

Cute little store with extremely nice employees.

Beautifully curated book selection that includes a refreshing representation of diverse authors and titles.

Eclectic mix of books with a large local selection that was awesome

Such a cute little book store, and absolutely loved the view upstairs. Will definitely come back! Great selection of books!

I always find something here that piques my interest, whether its something in their enormous selection of used books or a new major title, or something by a local poet or author. Chop Suey has the vintage-yet-hip feel that the best small local bookstores all seem to gave (bookstore cat included). Staff is always more than happy to help you find what you need or they can order it for you usually if they dont have it.My only (very minor) complaint might be that I wish their used sci-fi section were a bit more consistently robust, but I can always find something else in the entire rest of the store to keep me busy reading.

I dont know why it has taken me so long to write a glowing review of this wonderful Carytown gem considering my wife and I go in there at least twice a month. I always find something wonderful when I go in and I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves good books and a helpful staff!

This is a very nice bookshop. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I greatly appreciate the fact that they do not disturb me while Im browsing for books. The only complaint is that Wonton, the silent owner of the shop is aloof, but he cracks the whip on the staff.

I love that I can find books I didnt even know about and end up loving!They have have a wide variety of books,some from almost 100 years ago to the new bestsellers.I wish they had a few more of the older classics but otherwise you can find books on any genre or subject.One of the top bookstores in Richmond!

Chop suey has everything I want in a book store- great selection of new and used books, an impressive array of topics (particularly gender studies in the used book section), reliable staff picks (I have yet to pick up a book with the staff pick sticker that I didn’t like), AND A BEAUTIFUL CAT!I appreciate that the store takes stands and encourages people to pick up books to learn about relavent topics especially in our current political climate.

Quaint used book store with a political agenda that would make our Lord and Savior Bernie Sanders smile down upon them. Politics aside, the selection is great and the prices are reasonable.

This place has great books both new and used, they also have a shop cat which is a bonus!

Cool place, great selection, stopped in 5 minutes before closing and left with 3 books.

I adore this book store. They have such a large selection of used books, and the staff is very helpful.

There is always something interesting to find at Chop Suey! An eclectic selection of old and new books, a friendly knowledgeable staff, and Wonton the resident cat make this my favorite bookstore!

This place is exactly what Id want my house to look like... It is my warm happy place and I always walk out with great deals and a LOT of books. I stop by every time Im in town.

They are pleasant and eager to accommodate us.

Great store! Lots of old goodies in the used section and a good selection in the new books.

Love this local RVA bookstore. Mix of new and used books. Good buys on gently used books.

Cozy little bookstore with mountains of books to choose from, some new some old. youre sure to find something.

They have a good selection and a really cute cat

A damn groovy bookstore that is worth stopping by if you are in the carytown section of Richmond.

Love this bookstore. I buy my son a book here every time I come to Richmond. I usually buy more than one for me.

Big fan of CSB. The people the owner hires will spend genuine time with you to help you discover something new or locate something specific, even when they dont have it in store. Im not usually looking for a particular book, but theyve always let me stumble through an explanation of what I like and guided me towards solid suggestions. Also the store cat let me pet its belly.