More than 3,000 screen-worn movie costumes belong to a used bookstore in Maryland. Yes, a bookstore.
The same place that sells paperbacks and old comics also shows off outfits real actors wore on camera.
The displays lean heavily on The Hunger Games, which has made the owner something of a celebrity among fans of the films. The costumes rotate, so the lineup changes over time.
Earlier displays have included pieces from Respect and Carrie.
Then there’s everything else stacked around those costumes. We’re talking over 100,000 comics in the back, vintage toys, records, VHS tapes, and books dating to the 1500s.
I like how a quick browse can turn into a whole afternoon.
I can’t imagine a better rainy-day stop for a family that loves movies. So where is this place, and what should you hunt for first?
A Downtown Bookshop With A Hollywood Secret On The Shelves
Downtown Havre de Grace already charms people with its waterfront streets and old storefronts. Washington Street Books & Music adds a twist that most small towns simply can’t match.
On paper, it’s a used bookstore that also sells music, comics, and collectibles. In practice, it doubles as a showcase for real costumes worn in Hollywood films.
That combination makes it one of the more surprising stops in Harford County. You come for a paperback and end up face to face with a gown from a blockbuster.
The shop sits right in the heart of town, so it pairs easily with a stroll along the main streets. Families can wander in without planning a whole day around it.
Washington Street Books & Music holds a 4.7-star rating on Google across more than 260 reviews. That’s an impressive score for a place this packed with stuff.
Plenty of shops in Maryland sell old books, and plenty of museums show movie history. Very few manage to do both under the same roof, between the same shelves.
So consider this your heads-up before the secret spreads any further. The best way to understand the place is to start with the costumes.
Over 3,000 Screen-Worn Costumes And Counting
Three thousand. That’s how many movie costumes the owner says belong to the store’s collection.
These aren’t party-store versions or fan-made copies. Visitors describe them as screen-used pieces, worn by famous actors and actresses during filming.
Mannequins stand among the shelves, so the costumes feel woven into the shop rather than roped off in a separate wing. One minute you’re scanning book spines, the next you’re inspecting stitching seen on the big screen.
Not every piece can be out at once, of course. With a collection that size, the store only shows a slice of it at any given time.
Some items carry serious value, too. The owner has mentioned a dress on display priced well into the five figures, which tends to raise eyebrows.
For kids, it’s a fun chance to see movie magic up close. For adults, it’s a reminder that costume design is real craftsmanship, not just fabric.
Take your time with each display and look at the details. Beading, seams, and wear marks tell a story that a screen never quite captures.
And yes, you can still buy a book on the way out.
Why Hunger Games Fans Treat It Like A Pilgrimage
May the odds be ever in your favor of finding parking nearby. Fans of The Hunger Games have good reason to make the trip.
The films have been a centerpiece of the costume displays for years. Multiple visitors over time mention seeing Hunger Games pieces front and center.
The owner, John, has earned a reputation in the collecting community among fans of the series. One recent visitor called him an icon in that world, which is quite the title.
Things grew even bigger recently. The owner announced The Costumes of The Hunger Games Exhibit in Gallery One, set to open August 1st next door.
That means a dedicated gallery space beyond the main shop floor. Exhibit details and availability can shift, so check before you go.
Even casual viewers will likely recognize the dramatic style of those films. Bold silhouettes and striking fabrics make the costumes easy to appreciate.
Bring the teen who read every book in the series twice. Their reaction alone could be worth the drive across Maryland.
Just be ready for a lot of photo requests. Nobody leaves a costume like that without a picture or two.
Displays That Refuse To Stay The Same
Here’s a fun problem to have: the exhibit you saw last time may already be gone. The store regularly swaps out costumes to set up new displays.
The owner has said so in his own responses to visitors. New exhibits rotate in, so return trips can feel completely different.
A few years back, guests reported costumes from Respect and Carrie alongside Hunger Games pieces. Other times, the focus has leaned almost entirely on a single franchise.
That rotation keeps the place from feeling like a static museum. It also gives locals a real reason to come back more than once.
Repeat visits make sense for families living within an easy drive. A spring trip and a fall trip could showcase totally different films.
Since the lineup changes, it’s smart not to promise kids a specific costume. Call ahead if your heart is set on seeing something particular.
The owner has even invited people to ask about specific pieces in the collection. With thousands in storage, asking might unlock something special.
Think of it as a living gallery with a bookstore attached. Or maybe a bookstore with a gallery attached.
Honestly, both work.
Books Older Than The Town Itself
A book printed in 1585 sits somewhere in this shop. That’s older than any English settlement in Maryland.
The owner has also mentioned a First Edition of Les Miserables near the front. An antique map dating to 1640 rounds out the oldest treasures.
Beyond the rarities, the used selection draws plenty of praise. Visitors regularly call out the range of both older titles and more recent reads.
Care is a big part of the appeal. Many older books and items come wrapped in plastic to keep them protected.
One visitor described the books as conserved and shelved with great care. That attention matters when some pieces have survived centuries.
Pricing on vintage books can include older stickers from other sellers. The store’s own price appears on the front, so check that label before buying.
Young readers might not care about 1585, but they’ll still find something to flip through. Bookworms of every age can lose track of time here.
For history-loving grandparents, the rare shelves could be the highlight of the visit. Just maybe keep sticky fingers away from the four-century-old pages.
A Back Room Stacked With 100,000 Comics
Comic fans, brace yourselves. The owner says more than 100,000 comics wait in the back of the store.
That’s not a typo or an exaggeration for effect. It’s an enormous stash for a shop in a small Chesapeake town.
Comic books rank among the most talked-about topics for this place. Visitors describe the comic sales display as very respectable.
Card players get their own treat behind the counter. The store reports holding over 170,000 Magic cards.
Kids who collect will likely want to spend serious time digging. Set a budget before you walk in, because temptation is everywhere.
Some of the shelves feature older issues that appeal to longtime collectors. Others make a great starting point for a young reader discovering superheroes.
If you’re hunting for a specific issue, ask at the counter. With a collection this big, browsing alone could take days.
One happy visitor went in purely for books and comics and left thrilled. That says plenty about how deep this part of the store runs.
Records, CDs, And A Rewind To The VHS Era
The word Music sits right there in the store’s name, and it earns its spot. Shelves hold CDs, LPs, and a healthy helping of nostalgia.
Vintage VHS tapes and old magazines turn up too. One visitor called the place an excellent vintage store for exactly those finds.
The owner recently said the shop is building a collection of more than 8,000 CDs. Music fans may want to check back as that grows.
Vinyl lovers can flip through records between costume displays. It’s a pleasant change of pace from staring at screen-worn gowns.
Parents might enjoy explaining VHS tapes to their kids. Prepare for questions like, wait, you had to rewind them?
Video games and mixed media also show up in the inventory. The variety means teens who skip books still have plenty to explore.
Inventory shifts often, since new items arrive regularly. What you spot on one visit may be gone the next.
That unpredictability is half the fun. One visitor summed it up nicely, saying you never know what you will find.
Toys Piled All The Way To The Ceiling
Toys to the ceiling. One visitor used those exact words and added that they meant it literally.
Vintage toys and games give the store a serious throwback feel. Kids of the 1980s, in particular, get plenty to reminisce over.
Sci-fi fans have long noticed a big collection of galaxy-far-away merchandise. Action figures and memorabilia from that franchise have been a fixture for years.
Fresh vintage toys arrive regularly, according to the owner. The selection keeps evolving, which rewards curious repeat browsers.
Collectibles earn more mentions than almost anything else connected to the shop. Antiques and memorabilia also pop up across many descriptions.
For kids, this section can feel like a treasure hunt. For parents, it can feel like opening a time capsule from their childhood bedroom.
Some visitors have praised the prices on collector items as surprisingly low. Values naturally vary by piece, so look closely at each tag.
Fair warning: you may walk out with a toy you swore you didn’t need. Nostalgia is powerful, and this aisle knows exactly how to use it.
An Owner With Encyclopedic Movie Knowledge
Ask John a question and settle in for a great answer. The owner’s knowledge gets mentioned again and again.
One visitor called his knowledge encyclopedic. Others describe the owners as friendly, kind, and full of fascinating information about the costumes.
That expertise turns a simple browse into something closer to a guided tour. Hearing the story behind a costume makes it far more memorable.
John also personally responds to many online comments. He regularly invites people to come back and see new displays.
He seems happy to help shoppers looking for something specific. With so much inventory, asking him is probably the fastest search tool around.
Kids with big movie questions should feel free to ask away. Curious young fans tend to get the most out of a knowledgeable guide.
The personal touch matters in a place this packed. Without someone to explain it all, plenty of treasures could slip right past you.
Visitors often leave talking about the people as much as the collection. That kind of hospitality is hard to fake and easy to appreciate.
Gloriously Crowded Aisles Built For Patient Browsers
Tidy minimalism lovers, consider yourselves warned. One visitor fondly called the store a fever dream of books, collectibles, and comics.
The shop is packed, and some spaces can feel cramped. Boxes of new arrivals waiting to be unpacked have occasionally crowded parts of the shelving.
For many people, that density is the charm. It feels like a cabinet of curiosities where every corner hides another surprise.
Plan to take your time here. One longtime visitor suggested setting aside a couple of hours for a proper look.
Movie buffs, comic collectors, and vintage lovers will feel right at home. Little kids may do best with a parent guiding them through narrow aisles.
Strollers could be tricky in tight spaces, so a carrier might work better. Small hands should look with their eyes around fragile displays.
Teens tend to find the pop-culture pieces irresistible. Grandparents may gravitate toward rare books and old magazines.
If something seems buried, just ask for help. The staff has stressed that they’re glad to assist shoppers hunting for particular items.
Hours, Address, And Smart Timing For Your Trip
Mondays and Tuesdays are off the table. The shop closes both days, so plan for later in the week.
Wednesday and Thursday hours run from 11 AM to 6 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch a little later, from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Sunday opens at noon and closes at 6 PM. Hours can change, so check before you go, especially around holidays.
You’ll find the store at 131 N Washington St, Havre De Grace, MD 21078. It sits in the historic downtown, close to plenty of other shops.
Havre de Grace lies in Harford County, Maryland, near where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. That makes it an easy weekend outing for many families across the state.
Browsing is free, which makes this a budget-friendly stop. Purchases, of course, are another story once the toys start calling.
Saturdays give you the longest afternoon window for exploring. Arriving earlier leaves more time for the costumes, comics, and rare books.
Exhibit openings, like the Hunger Games gallery next door, may have their own schedules. A quick call ahead can save disappointment.
A Small-Town Stop That Punches Way Above Its Size
Few places let you browse a 1585 book and a blockbuster costume within a few steps. Washington Street Books & Music pulls it off with plenty of personality.
It won’t suit everyone, and that’s fine. Shoppers wanting wide, spotless aisles might prefer a chain store.
For curious families, though, it’s a delightful outing. Movie lovers, comic fans, and vintage hunters all get something to talk about on the ride home.
The rotating costume displays keep things fresh. The new Hunger Games gallery adds even more reason to visit soon.
One visitor called the shop a true Havre de Grace landmark. With thousands of costumes and endless shelves, the label fits.
Free browsing keeps the cost low for families on a budget. Just maybe leave a little room in the wallet for a comic or two.
Pair your stop with a walk through the historic downtown streets. Together, they make a well-rounded Saturday close to home.
Proud Maryland locals have something special right here. Who knew a bookstore could double as a Hollywood wardrobe?
