Some bookstores ask you to browse a few shelves; McKay’s Winston-Salem makes you wonder how long it would take to see them all. At 745 Jonestown Rd, this massive North Carolina bookstore is packed with thousands of books alongside movies, music, games, puzzles, and other unexpected finds, often at bargain prices.
Walking through the store feels a little like treasure hunting. Shelves are crowded with familiar titles and forgotten favorites, while one aisle might lead you from a well-loved novel to an old movie or a game you have not seen in years.
McKay’s has a relaxed, wonderfully unhurried atmosphere that rewards anyone willing to wander.
Whether you arrive with a particular book in mind or simply want to see what turns up, the fun is in never quite knowing what waits around the next corner. There are plenty of discoveries waiting to make an ordinary stop feel surprisingly memorable.
The First Step Feels Like a Treasure Hunt
The best kind of shopping trip begins with a small jolt of surprise. One minute you are pulling into a large lot off Jonestown Road, and the next you are standing before rows that seem to keep unfolding.
McKay’s Winston-Salem, at 745 Jonestown Rd, makes that first moment feel playful rather than polished. The store is known for used books, movies, games, records, puzzles, collectibles, and free book bins near the front, so the visit starts before you even reach the aisles.
Go in with a loose plan, not a strict list. Maybe you want a paperback for the weekend, a classic movie, or a board game for family night, but the real fun comes from noticing what another shopper traded in yesterday.
Give yourself at least an hour, and two is better. Check prices, scan the shelves slowly, and let the bargain hunt set the pace.
That easy mix of choice, savings, and chance is why people come back.
Aisles That Seem to Keep Going
There is a funny moment when the size of the place finally sinks in. You pass one row, then another, then another, and realize this is not a quick stop unless you make it one.
At McKay’s Winston-Salem, the book aisles carry the calm feel of a library with the buzz of a busy market. Genres are grouped, signs help guide you, and the shelves hold everything from thrillers and romance to history, cookbooks, graphic novels, and young adult favorites.
Smart browsing helps here. Start with the section you care about most, then branch out only after you have looked carefully.
If you are hunting for an author, remember that organization may feel different from a chain bookstore, so slow down and scan nearby names too.
The reward is not just a lower price. It is the pleasure of getting pleasantly lost without leaving Winston-Salem.
For readers who like wandering more than clicking, these aisles offer a real afternoon escape.
Bestsellers, Classics, and Lucky Accidents
A book you forgot you wanted has a way of finding you here. It may be a worn classic with a soft spine, a BookTok favorite, or a hardback that still looks ready for gifting.
McKay’s Winston-Salem works so well because its stock changes with the community. People sell and trade books all the time, which means the shelves can shift from one visit to the next.
Popular authors sit near quieter titles, and that mix keeps browsing lively.
If you visit with kids or teens, let them choose one section to explore on their own while you stay nearby. Young adult shelves, graphic novels, and series books can turn a reluctant reader into a proud finder.
Adults may enjoy checking nonfiction, cooking, local interest, or old paperbacks that no algorithm would suggest.
Prices can vary, so compare when something feels high. Still, the store shines when you treat it like a scavenger hunt.
The book you carry home may be one you never planned to meet.
Movie Night Starts in the Media Rows
Some shelves feel like a time machine with price stickers. A favorite comedy from high school, a spooky film for October, or a TV box set can pull you in faster than expected.
The media selection at McKay’s Winston-Salem gives movie lovers plenty to sort through. DVDs, Blu-rays, and occasional older formats fill row after row, with family films, action titles, documentaries, dramas, and classic movies sharing space.
Visitors often mention finding good deals on films that are harder to spot in regular stores.
Before buying, take a minute to check the case and disc condition. Used media can be a bargain, but a quick look helps you avoid disappointment later.
If you are building a home movie shelf, bring a phone list of what you already own.
This part of the store is perfect for rainy nights, road trip rentals at home, or replacing a childhood favorite. For the price of one new release elsewhere, you may leave with several weekends planned.
Vinyl Crates with a Nostalgic Crackle
A record bin invites a slower kind of looking. Fingers move past worn jackets, bright cover art, and band names that seem to carry old car radios and living room speakers with them.
McKay’s Winston-Salem has become a favorite stop for people who still love physical music. The record section can include rock, pop, country, jazz, soundtracks, and albums from past decades, while nearby CDs add even more choices for collectors and casual listeners.
Vinyl shoppers should check both the sleeve and the record surface under the light. A little wear may be fine, but deep scratches matter.
If you collect by artist, keep a short wish list on your phone, because it is easy to forget names once the bins start pulling you in.
The joy here is partly sound and partly memory. You might find a 1970s album your parents played, a cheap CD for the car, or a record that makes dinner at home feel warmer.
Games, Puzzles, and Family Table Finds
A good game shelf can make a family start planning the night before they even reach the checkout. Bright boxes, odd titles, and familiar classics create the happy problem of choosing just one.
At McKay’s Winston-Salem, board games and puzzles are a big part of the draw. Shoppers often mention finding party games, strategy titles, jigsaw puzzles, and old favorites from past family rooms.
Video games also appear in the mix, from newer releases to older handheld and console titles.
Used games need a little care before purchase. Open the box if allowed, count key pieces when possible, and check whether instructions are included.
For puzzles, look at the condition notes and decide if a missing piece would bother you.
This section is great for visitors traveling with kids, college students furnishing a dorm hangout, or couples looking for a low-cost date night at home. The best find may be a game nobody knew they needed until it landed in their hands.
Trading In Gives the Shelves New Life
Every full shelf here has a quiet backstory. Someone cleared a closet, packed a tote, and gave an old book, game, or album the chance to find a second home.
The buy, sell, and trade system is one reason McKay’s Winston-Salem stays so interesting. Customers can bring in previously loved books, movies, music, games, electronics, and more, then receive an offer for cash or store credit.
Store credit is often higher than cash, which can be useful if you already plan to shop.
Arrive prepared if you want the smoothest trade experience. Sort your items, make sure discs are in cases, charge electronics if needed, and know that condition, demand, and current stock affect the offer.
You do not have to accept if the number does not feel right.
For visitors, this system explains the store’s changing personality. It is never frozen in place.
The thing you miss today could be replaced tomorrow by something even better from another Winston-Salem shelf.
Collectibles Hide in Plain Sight
Not every treasure has pages or a soundtrack. Sometimes it is a tiny figure, a loose LEGO piece, a puzzle box, or a strange collectible that makes you grin for no clear reason.
McKay’s Winston-Salem stretches beyond the usual used bookstore idea. Along with books and media, shoppers may find Funko Pops, action figures, toys, electronics, musical instruments, loose building bricks, and other curiosities.
That wide variety gives the store a flea market spark without losing its bookstore heart.
Collectors should bring patience and a little price awareness. Check packaging, missing parts, and online values for higher-priced items, especially electronics or rare figures.
For casual shoppers, the fun is simpler. Browse with an open mind and see what odd little object calls your name.
This is a strong section for gift hunters. A puzzle for a grandparent, a toy for a kid, or a quirky desk item can feel more personal than something pulled from a regular retail shelf.
Bargain Prices Reward Patient Browsers
Finding a low price feels better when you had to work for it a little. The small victory comes from spotting the right sticker, lifting the book, and realizing it costs less than lunch.
McKay’s Winston-Salem has a strong reputation for affordable used books and media, though prices can be mixed depending on demand, condition, and category. Many shoppers find excellent deals on paperbacks, movies, puzzles, and older music.
Some collectibles, games, or electronics may sit closer to online market prices.
The best strategy is simple. Compare before buying anything expensive, but do not overthink every small purchase.
If a book is cheap, clean, and likely to be read, that is already a win. Bring a tote bag or leave room in the car, because bargains add up fast.
Budget travelers, students, teachers, and families can all do well here. The store rewards people who enjoy looking closely.
A careful half hour may uncover a stack that feels both useful and lucky.
A Winston-Salem Outing Worth Planning Around
Some local stops turn into the story you tell after the trip. You meant to browse for a few minutes, then left talking about free book bins, crowded carts, and the one find you almost missed.
McKay’s Winston-Salem sits at 745 Jonestown Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, with a large footprint and plenty to explore. Google Maps lists it as a used book store with a 4.5-star rating from thousands of reviews, and its hours often run late, typically 9 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 10 AM to 7 PM Sunday.
Plan the visit like a relaxed attraction, not an errand. Wear comfortable shoes, eat before you go if you browse slowly, and set a spending limit if you are easily tempted.
Restrooms and parking make longer visits easier.
For book lovers, collectors, families, and curious travelers, the appeal is clear. It is a big, busy, ever-changing North Carolina store where bargain hunting still feels wonderfully hands-on.