The Big Idea Cooperative Bookstore & Cafe, Pittsburgh PA

I have never been, but they sent me books when I was in state prison! You all rock my socks! Thank you and god bless.

Great bookshop with a very decent collection for its size - and surprisingly ample seating. I love browsing the classics and fiction sections there on occasion - they always have something that catches my eye.

Decent books, coffee and community space downstairs.

My favorite part about this is the community space we were allowed to book in their basement. It was nice to have a public space we could reserve at no charge to have our gathering. The staff was nice and helpful in regards to this.

Love the atmosphere and reading material in this inspiring book shop! This cooperative agreed very last minute to allow me to come offer a poetry pop-up, and I met many fascinating, intelligent people. If you're in the neighborhood, go enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a book to feed your brain.

Pretty cool independent book store. I found plenty that appealed to me in the tiny (but awesome) dystopian and fantasy/sci-fi shelves. Surprising that there's no section for atheism, given the general nature of the store's content. Still, interesting store.

Bad Idea bookstore is more accurate. Cuz the shelves are full of them. For the young, impressionable, easily-led, naive, non-worldly, inexperienced, full-of-themselves, craving attention, economically illiterate set. Three stars for running a thriving independent bookstore in this business climate, even if the entire inventory should be listed under “Fiction”.

Pittsburgh gem in Bloomfield/Little Italy. You can find some real oddities. I picked up two texts on mathematical logic and book on US Imperialism in Central America. Canine friendly.

One of my favorite bookstores in the city. Great coffee, friendly volunteers, and a nice selection of leftist books with other used books. Not a very large selection, but I always find something that catches my eye.

Visiting here is a highlight from my recent weekend in Pittsburgh. If I lived there I'd be chilling at this place regularly. Great selection of books, and cool people to talk to. Very glad to have gotten my first Ursula K. LeGuin book here.

Amazing small bookstore with great coffee and a great staff. A neat place to visit, browse, buy, and catch an event. Devoted to their ideals!

Love the concept of the business. However, be prepared for the food options to be more like a donation engagement rather than an edible one. They should consider selling baked goods and packaged snacks instead of microwaved burritos and bland miso tap water. The success of the Big Idea Bookstore is important to the community, I think a few changes to their offerings for 'eats' would be a positive influence.

Coffee was not great. People were nice and book selection was good. It looks like a place you can curl up and read in a corner or talk quietly with friends at a table. I didn't try the food but I did see a selection of items to eat. Since I prefer coffee and a good book at home I probably won't be back but my daughter's would probably live there for a while.

Great place to study. Quality tea selection, very friendly staff, fair trade chocolate available.