Visit Our Store

Our Location

click the image below for directions

We are located on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution in the garden level of the Chautauqua Post Office building which was built in 1909.  For the majority of the year, the Institution grounds are open to the public with no entry or parking fees.

For nine weeks in June-August, gate & parking passes are required Monday-Saturday.  Sunday entrance is free (free passes are required, and available at the Welcome Center).  Sunday parking is free until 2 p.m.

 Access may sometimes be affected by overriding guidelines.  For more regularly updated information from Chautauqua Institution, click here.

There is also a bike rack near the Bookstore entrance.

Accessibility

There is elevator access at the center of the building, to the right of the Bookstore's main entrance (there are steps at both the main and side doors).  Three short-term accessible parking spaces are included in the lot near the building's main entrance; however, during the summer season, traffic on the Institution grounds is regulated.  During our snowy winter months, heated sidewalks, surface treatments, and a temporary roofed structure in front of the elevator help keep the path between the parking lot and entrances as clear as possible. 

The Bookstore is on one level, with no platforms or steps separating any section of the store.  Several floor mats are present throughout the store, and areas of the flooring are uneven.  Some of our shelves and wall displays can reach from the ground to over six feet high, and our staff is happy to assist with retrieving items and/or holding items at the register to ease further browsing. We also offer small shopping baskets. 

Our stock of Large Print and Audiobooks onhand is generally limited, but any available title can be ordered upon request.  We also stock the assistive listening devices and telecoil networkable neck loops that may be used with the sound systems at the Amphitheater, Hall of Philosophy, and Bratton Theater.

We sell scented products, but do not fragrance our store.  We also play quiet music, which may be turned off or down upon request.

There are no public restrooms in the Bookstore.
The nearest restrooms in an accessible building that are open off-season are located in the first floor of the Hultquist Center (daily 9-5).  The restrooms in the lower level of the Colonnade building (not accessible) are open 24 hours.  During the summer, there is also a public restrooms facility at Odland Plaza (from the point of view of the Bookstore, behind Smith Memorial Library).

We are happy to arrange for curbside pickup for web and phone orders.  At this time, all curbside orders must be prepaid by credit card. 

If you have difficulty accessing the Bookstore, or have any questions or comments about the Bookstore's accessibility, please let us know. 

Get more information about accessibility on the Chautauqua Grounds.