529 West Chestnut Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
e: info@DogStarBooks.com
t: 717-823-6605
c: 717-538-2263

Store Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10-5:45, occasional Sunday mornings, by apppointment or by chance.

Buying and selling scholarly, antiquarian and better books, unusual paper, music and images since 1991--a spot for community confluence and excellent coffee starting in 2006

About Us

History

DogStar Books finally opened its doors as an open book shop in October of 2006. The idea for the bookstore, though, had taken root more than 20 years prior while the owner, Brian Frailey, was still in high school. An early and devoted fascination with books and reading led him to begin bookscouting for local dealers while still in his teens. Over the course of 15 years, selling at antique markets, book shows and through several catalogs, Brian gained experience and insights into the practice of selling books as a livelihood. Only after returning from several years living overseas – teaching English to political refugees from Burma – did Brian take up bookselling as his full time occupation.

From 2001 through 2006 DogStar Books was a successful internet-only enterprise. After giving considerable thought to the risks involved in opening a book shop - when so many others were closing or going internet only - Brian decided that the confluence of events and forces had made viable the prospects for an open shop.

The cozy, inviting and pleasantly well ordered store is the product of much planning. It is expected that the internet will continue to be the cornerstone of viability for some time, but that the store’s active in-shop clientele will continue to grow and become the bedrock of its business.

DogStar Books could not have come into being without the very valuable help of many individuals. Phannida (Lhaow) Frailey is unequalled in her finesse - packing books for safe transit to their destination and still more so in her preparation of divinely tasty Thai finger foods served at readings, art openings and events. Young Orion Frailey is an eager packing assistant and an avid lover of books.

Talented artist, Jeff Geib, did an exceptional job of translating the idea of the bookstore into an immensely pleasing logo. Illustrator and graphic designer Ned Bustard further refined and enlarged on the idea with astounding success in the form of bookmarks, advertisements and the website itself. Without the devotion, ingenuity and assistance of Art History Ph.D candidate, Johanna Gosse the bookstore might never have gotten off the ground. Designer/Architect, Antonia Hinnencamp, exceeded any and all expectations with her design and layout for the store.

Why an Open Book Store?
Over the last 10 years local used book stores have been closing at an alarming rate. The explosion of quantity and quality of books offered through the internet, combined with the rapid deterioration of business climates in many downtown and urban areas combined to make the open book shop appear more a cultural artifact than a viable business idea. Both of these trends appear to be reversing. While the quantity of books offered over the internet continues to increase, the number of reliable and honest dealers appears to be declining considerably, especially when considered as a percentage of those selling books on the major selling venues. The combination of hobbyist sellers, scam artists and very large corporate scale used book operations have exploded in recent years. Book conditions poorly, inaccurately or not at all described are becoming the norm. Packaging of books sent through the mails is often atrocious. The chance that a book purchase online will be a disappointing transaction has dramatically increased. Against this setting, the prospects for an open shop with clean well selected material seems considerably brighter than it did even two years ago.

At the same time, the ever growing suburbanization of our society appears to be approaching a natural conclusion. Spiraling energy costs, dangerous threats to our environment as a consequence of our dependence on and profligate use of non-renewable energy, loss of cultural and social connectedness in far-flung suburbs; these are factors which have begun to make urban and semi-urban living considerably more attractive to many families and individuals. They are some of the factors that are driving the revitalization of urban centers. The prospect of walking or biking to local businesses to buy life’s necessities (including good reading material) to experience music, art and performance are prospects unique to city living.

DogStar Books is part of that revitalization. Flexible space allows the store to host readings and art exhibits, host events and serve as a meeting and gathering place for the neighborhood and the larger community. Think Local: stop by and browse our books, check out the excellent art on display and enjoy one of the freshest most robust cups of coffee that you will find anywhere.