Print ArticleThe two level, 12,000 square foot bookstore offers a wide collection of new and used books, magazines, audiobooks, dvd rentals and sales, along with an espresso & coffee bar with sidewalk seating. The new downtown location is the second location for Jacksonville's largest independent bookstore.
Considering the building housing Chamblin's was mostly vacant for the past two decades, this is a shining example of what creative urban pioneers can do with smaller older structures if they are allowed to survive our city's love affair with the wrecking ball.
Chamblin's Uptown is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Once the bookstore and cafe are fully operational, hours will be expanded.
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Jason
May 29, 2008, 11:20:15 AMGreat news. This place has been on the radar for quite some time. I'm glad to see it finally open for buisness.
Driven1
May 29, 2008, 11:21:44 AMvery cool buildout. so glad they are open now. does anyone know their weekend hours (if they exist)? i'd like to go down this weekend.
stephendare
May 29, 2008, 11:24:50 AMHurray! Chamblins is finally open.
Another great place for people who actually read. Downtown could fill to the rim with places like this and I couldnt be happier.
thelakelander
May 29, 2008, 11:33:46 AMChamblin's is a cool place in deed. The place is pretty large and will only get better when its fully stocked and the cafe opens. Its a great spot to kill some time downtown.
Chamblin's Uptown is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Once the bookstore and cafe are fully operational, hours will be expanded.
jeh1980
May 29, 2008, 03:46:06 PMI think that this place was kind of nice. I have one time traded in a few of my DVD box sets for cash there. Great service, great people!
urbanlibertarian
June 02, 2008, 09:49:10 AMIt would be really interesting to hear the story of what they went through to get this going. Especially how they were helped and hindered by city government.
obie1
June 05, 2008, 11:33:20 AMWent there the other day with my wife and it looked kind of antiseptic at first but we ended up hanging out and browsing longer than I expected. So happy to see this here, can't wait until they are fully settled in and the place develops a bit more personality, but even at this stage it's a great addition. we are starving for these kinds of places.
stephendare
June 05, 2008, 01:47:45 PMKortland Bottger and I were there today as well. Its already quite busy.
What an amazing place.
Next door to the Library and the small bookstore there, it makes Downtown into quite the bibliophile location
stephElf
July 16, 2009, 04:54:01 PMIs the DT location still only open late on Wednesday's? I wish I could go there after work today...
stephendare
July 16, 2009, 04:55:50 PMWEdnesday and Saturday till 9pm!
JaxBorn1962
October 13, 2009, 08:17:04 PMmtraininjax
January 02, 2010, 01:23:09 PMHas anyone purchased any used sheet music from Chamblin's? Just curious...
Dog Walker
January 03, 2010, 12:08:57 PMThe cafe has gotten quite good. Simple menu, but everything is fresh and tasty Great place to hang out for a while and read your new purchases.