The Book Escape

09/11/2026

Sold a $250 Russian lacquer box today. That doesn't happen often, but there was a time when it did.

Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Russian lacquer boxes were a major part of our business. We had a separate gallery, an active website, shipped boxes all over the world, and worked with some extraordinary artists and workshops in Russia.

Then came 2008. The recession hit, and it hit this business especially hard and fast. We weren't alone. Galleries, art dealers and other businesses all over were feeling much the same thing. Many never recovered. When people suddenly became worried about their jobs, their homes and their savings, a hand-painted lacquer box or other beautiful item was understandably something they could live without.

Our own business never completely disappeared. It just became smaller as the bookstore became a bigger part of what we did. Then came the war in Ukraine, which complicated an already complicated business even further.

And yet, here we still are. A customer walked in today, saw one of the boxes, appreciated what it was, and spent $250 on it.

Businesses have lives of their own. They grow, they shrink, they change direction, and sometimes something you thought was mostly part of the past taps you on the shoulder again.

I have no idea what the future holds for Russian lacquer boxes. But maybe we're not quite finished with them yet. And when you're in the store, take a look in the glass cases and see how magnificent some of them are. It's a craft that goes all the way back to 1795 in Fedoskino, Russia.

09/11/2026

We are in there, and we have certainly seen a lot of happy couples come through our doors.

🗣️

09/09/2026

A Slice of Bookstore (and Baseball) Life: The $53.38 Game

I went to the Orioles game with a friend last night and bought two 24-ounce b**rs. Total: $53.38. Then the screen suggested a $10 tip. Ok, I usually tip, but this time I was on that “No Tip” button faster than Gunnar Henderson diving back to first on a surprise pickoff attempt. The nice cashier who popped open the can seemed to take it rather well.

So later I discovered that elsewhere in Camden Yards, 12-ounce b**rs were about $5. That's actually a pretty good deal (for a baseball game). I was just an expert at not finding it. 😂

Back at The Book Escape, though, we don't play that game. Two comparable used copies of Moby-Dick shouldn't be $15 and $7.50 depending on where you happen to find them. And they aren't. We work pretty hard at keeping our prices consistent and fair. We'd rather have you looking for books, not hunting around for a cheaper copy.

As for Camden Yards, now I know how to play the $5 b**r game. Only cost $53.38 to learn. Some kind of rookie initiation fee, I guess. Hopefully you can skip the initiation part. 😂

09/09/2026

We’re doing it again! For the second straight year, we’re teaming up with a local Baltimore teacher to help build her classroom library. Every dollar donated goes twice as far at The Book Escape for her—we give her the pick of the store at half price, with no restrictions. So when the fundraiser reaches $500, that means $1,000 worth of great books for her students!.

She once bought her classroom books online, then decided she’d rather keep that money and goodwill in the community. We’re very glad she did. Here’s hoping year two is the second of many more. Thank you in advance to everyone who contributes!

Greetings - My name is Caroline Schmidt, and I'm a … Caroline Schmidt needs your support for Build an Epic Classroom Library & Support a Local Bookstore!

09/07/2026

Open regular hours today 11am-6pm. And its a perfect day to come because Labor Day has never been super busy in our store and you will room to browse.

Also, it's a parking holiday - park in any metered spot for free!

09/06/2026

An unexpected benefit of charging for bags:

We used to automatically ask, “Would you like a bag?” And most people reflexively said yes. Now that bags cost a few cents, a lot more people just say, “Nah, I’m good,” and walk out carrying their books.

We hadn’t planned on this, but we love it. People walking down the streets of Federal Hill with books tucked under their arms is better advertising than any sign we could put up!

We can just imagine someone passing them thinking, “Wow. Books are hot!” Well, we already knew that, of course. Maybe this will help the uninitiated discover it, too. 😂📚

And if you DO want a bag, you have options: we have clean used bags for free, paper bags for 5¢, and really nice, durable reusable tote bags for just 50¢.

But walking out with just the books? Now that is style. 😎📚

09/06/2026

Slice of bookstore life #20

It was 7:00 tonight, closing time, and a young couple was still browsing. After a long day, I was tired, so at about 7:05 I gave them the five-minute warning. A few minutes later they came up to the counter with their purchase:

One “Get Lit” pen, please. $1.25. 😂 Well, $1.25 made is $1.25 earned.

But then we got to talking. They told me they were moving to Michigan, and today was their last day living in Federal Hill. It was their first time in The Book Escape and they wished they'd come in sooner.

So their first visit was also their last. And they left with the pen, complete with a little light and The Book Escape printed on the side. But you know, it made me feel good to know that little pen - a souvenir of the store and of Federal HIll - would be going with them to their new life in Michigan. Staying open those extra ten minutes turned out to be worth it.

09/05/2026

A little upgrade to our front window — now featuring some of our recent social media posts!

We'll switch them out every week or two, so there should always be something new for passersby to see.

And we've just started getting more serious about Instagram. Very early — for now, it's mostly a repeat of our Facebook posts, but we'll probably add some Instagram-only stuff as we go and (hopefully) build an audience.

Right now we have exactly one follower. (Thanks, Alex. 😂) Come help us get rolling!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookescapebaltimore/

09/04/2026

Wow — look what Insomnia Cookies down the street just brought us, completely free! 🍪

Alex is already enjoying one, and we’re happy to share the wealth today only — but there’s a catch: you have to mention this Facebook post. Otherwise, we have a feeling they might disappear a little too quickly. Just say "cookie, please!"😂

And a big thank-you to our Charles Street neighbors at Insomnia Cookies for the very sweet surprise!