Reviews of Protean Books & Records. (Book Store) in Baltimore (Maryland).

Protean Books & Records

192 Reviews

117 Comments

Book store

Book store

836 Leadenhall St, Baltimore, MD 21230, United States

Description

Information of Protean Books & Records, Book store in Baltimore (Maryland)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

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Open hours of Protean Books & Records

Popular times

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Reviews of Protean Books & Records

Juhi Pac

Amazing locally owned bookstore! Huge selection of different genres and exceptionally large vinyl collection. Located in what appears to be a repurposed warehouse in fed hill with plenty of street parking around. Has a huge museum-like back room with creepy fun little displays. Very quirky and fun hidden gem

Chris Douglas

What a cool spot! Locally owned small business, so automatic cool points awarded. This place is vast, with countless Vinyl, CDs, Books, Video Games, and just a ton of other random stuff. The location is a little awkward... Tucked in with a bunch of homes and churches, but don't let that dissuade you. I point that out because this firmly falls in the "hidden gem" category. There is ample parking and it's easy to get to. Matt, the owner, really did a solid job building this into what it is. Highly recommend you stop by and check it out!

Tim Walsh

I missed my turn while leaving Fed Hill and ended up driving by, and extremely happy that I did. Great store and selection! They really don't make 'em like this anymore. Nostalgic and reasonably priced.

Lucas H

This place is perfect for anyone looking for a great selection of exceptionally reasonably priced used books, movies, vinyl, and an eclectic array of oddity items and pop memorabilia. A must for anyone looking for a unique book, hard to find vinyl, or gift. DO go to this shop. The owners are very sweet and friendly.

tana santiago

We were driving by and Baltimore and had never seen this store before and decided to go in they have a very large selection of record albums and collections of Toys. The have a large room off to the side where they have comedy show

Phil Stankovic

Eclectic and all encompassing, Protean has more then you could imagine. Just go with a specific mission, or go with the intention of spending hours there. Either way, you won’t walk away disappointed.

Daniel Garcia

Toys, records, philosophy and VHS movies, this place is not just unique to Baltimore but unique to the U.S. in its thoughtful bricolage and earnest want to please. Modestly priced, friendly owner, I am so pleased to have found it.

emory kearns

In my opinion the best used record store in Baltimore. Really cool vibe in there and extremely friendly staff.

Faith Frankenhauser

Yes, walk through this threshold to psychedelic books, records, and unique items mecca.

Derek Robinson

No complaints here! Visited for the first time on Record Store Day and the staff was incredibly nice and helpful. Solid sized selection and I could've spent hours in the store. I'll be back!

Mindy McAdams

Has many, many more vinyl records than books — but STILL a great collection of books! Many categories, some of which are quite amusing (under the Nature shelf, a shelf labeled "Bear Attacks") and a nice assortment of books I don't see in other used book shops. The fiction/literature section is relatively small but there are great finds (not rare, but uncommon). The sections labeled Science, Eastern and Gender were all interesting.

Bobbie Jean

Great hidden gem of art and oddities in Pigtown/Federal Hill area! Awesome retail selection of used (and new) books, records, toys and more!

AEMB

Great shop. We'll organized. Great selection of books, music, games (older stuff, too) You can't help but love this place!

Lauren M

Fun place with a mini museum in the back for free. Didn't find any books I liked unfortunately. The used board games seem very steeply priced. Staff were polite and welcoming. Worth visiting at least once but I probably wouldn't make a big trip to return.

Ryan Martin

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting this books and record store; as well as checking out their oddities space in the back. The books line most of the walls while the records take up most of the floor space. Along the top of the book shelves are random collectible or unique toys. In the display cases at the counter are some vintage and/or harder to find video games like NES, SNES, N64 and then whatever random wii or Xbox might have been traded in. On the side in an attached space they also have a room full of items for $2. They have a nice variety of books, including many that aren't so common like a comedy and an occult section. The records were mostly older jazz, hip hop, and rock albums (probably pop too, I'm not sure though). However they did have a section of older comedy records. I was disappointed that they did not have any sections for punk/indie rock/hardcore or any of their sub-genres; nor did they have much of one for metal (mostly hair metal, and definitely not one for the sub-genres like thrash, grind, black metal, etc..). Most of the punk or metal albums they had were all in the same display and they all consisted of record store day releases. This isn't a poor reflection of the store by any means, it's simply stating to any potential customers not to come here for these; I'm sure you can easily find a store for those genres. If the store owner reads this... people will come if you build those sections. The unique and/or collectible toys are not the main focus of the store (the records and books are); but they included fun items like a r.c. snake, a build your own invisible man kit, as well as some taller (2½-3ft) star wars or comic book figures, and a pile of halloween masks—just to name a few things. Anyway we loved this store.

Mel Foster-Fitzgerrel

I love this shop! You can find a little bit of everything here. Vintage records, unique collectibles, and one of a kind finds. Steve (the owner) is incredibly nice, knowledgeable, and helpful. He goes above and beyond every time we stop in.

Francisco Lopez

Place is great but a bit disorganized, plan to be there for several hours hunting for LP treaures

Kate Tallent

What a hidden gem. Places like this make me realize just how cool Baltimore is. Found 2-great albums. Staff super helpful. I'll be back.

Brittany Broumas

A little hard to find with no name signage out front but.. Fun blast from the past store! All the old school gadgets and gizmos and tons of books, video games, VHS, cassettes, and records. Everything was really well organized and prices were good. Friendly staff and informative for us out of towners as to places to see.

Fritz

I was gonna buy a Mario plush and it was a bit too much over my budget so they gave me another Mario plush that was within my budget and it literally made my day. Also it's cool inside and they have a cool manga section and the games they were selling looked cool too. Basically just a nice store and I will be going back if I ever visit Baltimore again. 🐌

Lisa Greenhouse

I felt totally COVID-safe browsing here the other day because the space is so big with high ceilings. It’s in an old red-brick warehouse. Nice selection of books. The books were all in perfect condition. At first I was confused as to whether they were new or used. I ended up walking away with four perfect-condition books (2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks) for just 25 bucks.

Daniel Miller

One of the coolest, most unique, expertly curated stores I have ever seen. There are so many pop culture pieces, so much music and books. This is an an Amazing store to find a gift for just about anyone. I cannot recommend highly enough!

Rob Herion

My kind of place! Thousands of used vinyl albums, extremely well organized and priced right. Also has a large selection of used books and some unusual antique/vintage things. The store clerk is very knowledgeable about music and the inventory they have. Back of the store has a bizarre exhibit with a vampire corpse, figi mermaids, mummy....more. Spend at least an hour here!

Mike Anderson

It's a nice record store/oddity shop. Big selection and good prices for mostly anything. Anything except the "display pieces"? It was a strange deal, they have decoration pieces on the shelves with the items they sell, but you can't buy the items that are decorative. But you don't know they're really decorative. Hard to explain or to really understand. But still worth your time to check out!

Michelle Cerise

Loved this place, so much fun to search and fine so many cool items!

Kenny cain

Went here with my kids today. I went for the records but found they had a decent kids kids book section. They also had a good amount of games. Great selection of records. Kids made out like bandits and I got some good deals on records. I'd recommend anyone to stop by.

Albert Allen

Cool shop great selection and great friendly stall. Would recommend.

Abhinn Malhotra

Never have I regretted stopping by at this place. They always seem to have one thing or another among records, CDs, DVDs, video games, board games, memorabilia, and books that catches my eye. Only once out of maybe 20 times so far have I left with my hands empty handed. The owner and staff are very friendly and helpful, and have very good taste in the music playing store-wide.

James Horton

Great selection of books and records. Steve is very friendly and always goes out of his way to help me to find things that I'm interested in. They even have a creepy and cool little museum of oddities in the back of the shop. I definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

Matthew Waghorn

Massive collection of all things retro from toys to videogames, books and an enormous collection of records meticulously organized. They have good blues and jazz section and even a pretty good soundtrack collection. The staff we met were very cool people and happy to help play some music for us - I found some long sought after discs here. Looking forward to that listening station!

Philip Disario

This shop has the coolest stuff! Mind blown in full... Lots of retro goodness and nostalgia. Great selection of books and vinyl, but the crypt was by far my favorite!

Elise Paulsen (Elysianxx)

Quirky place with a large selection of used books. There was some odd music choice but I think it goes with the vibe. There's also more items being sold than just books, we saw board games, audio tapes, star wars figures etc.

Edward Cole

I think these days one has to ask of a bookstore: what need, or niche, is it serving? And I can't imagine what this store's answer would be. It's the same used books that one sees in EVERY used bookstore. The same CDs, The same LPs. It's just....boring.

Kim Putty

Large selection of albums at a reasonable price. The albums are categorize in alphabetical order and genre, making it easy to find what you're looking for. Highly recommended.

Gautam Chhibber

This place has everything! Books, vinyls, toys, comics and dvds/Blu rays. The owner is really nice and place is highly recommended for these items

Nat W

Awesome little den of culture at good prices

Micheal Yowan

Love this place. Wish I still lived close to it.

Stephanie Pessin

This place is a true hidden gem: a 10 min. walk from the harbor with a diverse, ecclectic, affordable abundance waiting for any book lover. Knowledgeable, friendly assistance, and a special secret room in the back for a currated Ripley's-like hit of weird.

Chelsea Robertson

This place is a hidden treasure! Really appreciated the organization by subject matter which is sometimes haphazard in used book stores. We found many current books on philosophy and medicine.

Damon Walker

Such a cool place, filled to the brim with vintage toys, games, records, memorabilia, and books. I felt like I was on a treasure hunt, I actually found a few gems.

Summer Michau

There's always something new and interesting here each time we visit. I even got a pair of roller skates once! The prices are great and the staff are very knowledgeable and cool.

Philip Lounsbury

Great store alot to look through. Books movies records cool vintage toys along with video games

Rob Novak

Record selection is pretty bargain-bin. When it isn't, it's usually overpriced. 70s represses of 60s albums are not $90 collectors items.

cambull47

Dropped in to see Dr Gloom's Crypt of Curiosities. Worth a look if you want to see some creepy things and maybe suspend belief for a while. Great record shop too, with what looked like an extensive selection.

Bob Bruhin

Old school in the best possible way. A bookstore that makes me dream of the golden age of physical media.

Steven Gerard

Great book and record store! Friendly staff, excellent selection and great value. Two thumbs up and smile from me! Good Instagram account too :)

Adam Klin-Oron

Wow, way out of this world - not just book or music store, but an experience. Highly recommend.

Joseph Smith

Great record selection. You could spend hours looking for good finds. Books, CDs, cassettes, tons of cool stuff. Prices are reasonable.

Erin Marie Fleming

Fantastic selection of records, books, and more! Steve is an endless source of knowledge and happy to help you find what you need. And be sure to check out the Crypt of Curiosities, too!

Sarah Lynn

HEY YOU! Seriously go there!! it's an experience in its own that you don't get otherwise. The working force behind that store is super informative and fair with their pricing scale which when do you experience fair anymore? GO THERE I was taken by a friend and now I pass down the tradition every time I go I bring a new friend, you should toooooo P.s THEY HAVE ALL THOSE THINGS YOU THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER FIND

Michael Michau

Great store for used books and records. Also has a good selection of used video games.

Sierra Larson

I am so excited by the books I found here, I can barely contain myself!! I love used book stores, and this one takes the cake... I only wish I could come back over and over again...

Maria Barefoot

The crypt of curiosities was so cool and fun! I also found some great books while i was there. Well worth the walk!

Michael Stewart

Cool spot for used books and records. Fun to just browse

Leigha and Patrick Strickler

Really awesome store and the people are so nice and laid back. Awesome local shop

Mark Berkihiser

Nice little shop with a large variety! Especially liked the hall of criptids. Definitely would go again.

Fran Levitt Higgins

Each time I wander in I find something else I know I needed. Great vinyl selection and a leave you be to shop attitide. Perfect!

Saul Slowik

I cannot say more positive things about this shop. They have, by far, one of the best record collections I've ever seen, not to mention curios.

Denise Draper

Love this store visut every year from england cant do enough to make us welcome and fulfill our need for vinyl thank you for a great experience x

Mandar Bokare

Cool book and record store. Remember to check out Dr Gloom's Crypt if Curiosities in the back of the store !!

michael hertzog

Librarian was very welcoming and friendly. Huge selection of games/records/books.

Adriana Laser

Love this place. Go mostly for the reasonable children used books! Now in a much larger open space

Colton Mayo

Very cool weird store, good selection of used books and collectibles.

zeke frantom

Great place to go to get records, books games, and more. Great collection and staff!

Eric Planck

Cool record and book store, great selection of vinyl records and plenty of well organized books

Gerald Falo

A great store, used books, music, and more including the Crypt of Curiosities.

Tyler Pruitt

Awesome low key record and book store near Sharp-Leadenhall, Otterbein and Federal Hill. Nice folks.. support local biz!

Tony Venne

Another great used record and book store. A wide variety of rock, soul, and jazz.

Kristen Simonette Messmore

Great selection of books, movies, records, toys, games, and more. The crypt is fun!

Antoine Vinson

Since I just purchased a record player, I decided to stop by. I found some gems of music that I grew up listening to.

Michael Lear

This place is one of a kind!! Instantly taking back to my childhood,with all the cool toys and records

Therese Montano

Prolific selection of books, toys, and records that has something for everyone, but especially the nostalgic and the morbid.

salvatore seeley

What awesome find...great and unique selection of books and other items!!!

J Perry

Cool place with lots of interesting finds. The oddities room is worth checking out.

B H

Great selection of classic vinyl records. Fantastic customer service.

Amanda Mitchell

This place is just. . . awesome!! No description would do it justice.

J Hickok

Great place to did through some vinyl, possibly finding that treasure hiding amidst the masses

Seth Knight

My favorite record store in the city!! And they have a little horror museum in the back!!

Tim Somerville

Great collection of science & non-fiction books. Could use a bit of interior decorating, however.

Wilbur Cox Jr

Awesome little store, great pricing on used books

Nathan Songné

Great selection of trade paperbacks. If you're a comic fan, check it out!

andre perkins

This place took me back in time. Can't wait for a chance to revisit.

Daniel Smith

Great selection of everything from records to video games to collectibles

Nakeesha

Huge selection of books, records & nostalgic items

Chris Roberts

Well organized vinyl sections for every genre

1730bobby

Excellent. Gotta stop by if you're in the area.

Joe Tramonte

Great place, loved it. Lots of unique treasures.

John Kwamya

Always love going there.

Victoria S

Great selections of records and books!

Eleanor Cromwell

Really great selection

Ade Abolarin

Nice hidden gem. Great Selection too.

Altered States

Great selection and helpful friendly staff

Joe Hale

Great selection of old records.

Paul Maison

Great selection, better price!

Noah Shumway

Books, records, and even old dvds and board games!

latifah mounkaila

I like the place is good very friendly and very helpful

Mary Brown

A nice place to visit and just look around

Nikki Runzo

Awesome store, friendly staff

Karen “Missy” H

What a secret! A hidden gem for crate diggers

Acee Wags

Nice selection! Thanks

Kathleen Crook

Fun place

Gerald Smith

I looovvvveeee this place omg

Nathan Walters

Good

Matthew Belardi

Great selection

Michael McCollum

Fun stop in Baltimore

Marvin Clark

Love the place

Sean Fleming

awesome spot

Leonard F

Bill Utasi

Jamieson Elliott

Matthew Marie

Phil

Kristina Lemieux

SLadyTee

Cooper C

Chip Hall

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