Store History
Founded in 1745, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Book Shop is located in the heart of historic , and is not only the oldest bookstore in America but the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world.
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Book Shop was founded in 1745 when the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Church appointed Samuel Powell of the Church’s Crown Inn on the south side of the Lehigh River to operate a book store. After operating at several locations, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Book Shop was moved to the church’s publications building near the Central Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Church in Bethlehem in 1871. Today, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Book Shop operates in the same site on historic Main Street.
How can the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Book Shop claim to be the oldest continuously-running bookstore in the world?
In April of 2000, USA Today stated that John Smith & Son, the longest continuously-trading bookseller in the world, established in 1751, was closing. Since the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Book Shop was established in 1745, it was concluded that it must be the oldest continuously-running bookseller in the world.
