Frequently Asked Questions
When are you closing? Will you be relocating?
Our last operating day is December 31, 2024. We will be closed for New Year’s Day on January 1, and we will remain closed in 2025, because our landlord is not extending the bookstore’s lease. They have plans to remodel the space for their own use. Hooray for Books! will not be sold or relocating – it’s time to conclude our story.
We’re thankful for the support and love we’ve received from loyal customers and bookish friends during our nearly 17 years in business. You’ve helped us survive the Great Recession, multiple flash floods, and the COVID Pandemic. Endings are hard to write, but now’s the time to do just that.
Is everything 50% off today?
We are hosting our Super Sales only on specific days, which will be announced via our email newsletter and our website calendar. On other days, all items are full price.
Do you have Jellycats?
We are all sold out of Jellycats! There are several other stores on King Street who stock Jellycat products, including Pippin Toy Co. and Red Barn Mercantile; we encourage you to turn to them in your quests.
When can I return or exchange merchandise?
All sales are final as of 6 PM on December 31. We cannot accept returns or exchanges afterward, as we need to clear out our space so our landlord can start their remodel.
What should I do if I have a gift certificate? What about store credit?
You can still redeem your gift certificate until the doors close on December 31, so we encourage you to come spend it!
However, if you have gift certificates you won’t be able to spend before we close, please contact us and we will refund their remaining value by credit card or check.
Until December 31, we can process your refunds in person or over the phone; from January 1 to January 8, please call the store for your refund; and after January 8, you will need to mail your gift certificate to the store (to be forwarded) with the name and address of the person to receive a refund check.
To refund a gift certificate over the phone, we will need the gift certificate number written on the certificate itself so that we can locate it in our system. For a credit card refund, you will also need the credit card you want the refund paid onto.
We will also refund unspent store credit. If you have unspent store credit, please contact us via phone or email by January 8.
What happens to unspent Bookstore Booster certificates?
Since Bookstore Booster credits are rewards for shopping with us, they are not redeemable for cash. We encourage you to come in and shop by December 31 to use up your Bookstore Booster rewards!
if You don’t have a specific book in stock, can you order it?
Due to our impending closure, we are no longer taking orders for books not currently in stock.
If I can’t come in to pick up my special order by December 31, what should I do?
If you can’t pick up your special order before we close, please call the store between January 2 and January 8 (we are closed on New Year’s Day). You’ll need to pay via credit card over the phone and provide a mailing address where we can send your order. If your order is still here by January 8, we will have to send it back to the publisher, since we have to vacate the premises shortly after.
If you’ve decided you no longer want your special order, please let us know ASAP.
CAN I SHOP ONLINE?
Yes! We have partnered with Bookshop to allow you to shop online and still support independent bookstores! Click here to access our online storefront. Please be aware that Bookshop does not show what is currently available in our store. Books purchased there will be shipped directly to your home. If you would like to check what we currently have in stock, please call us at 703-548-4092.
Do you ship?
Yes! Anything you buy from us can be shipped throughout the US. We practice shared-cost shipping.
do you sell audiobooks?
Yes! We partner with libro.fm to sell audiobooks that you can listen to from your phone or computer! Click here to access our libro.fm store. Once there you can create an account, select Hooray for Books! as your local store, and start listening right away. There is a monthly subscription option, or you can buy single titles.
Do I need to register for your story times?
No. Our story times are free and require no registration.
Where Can I Park?
There is metered parking along King Street. The side streets have free parking with 2 and 3 hour limits. If you don’t wish to drive here, we are only two blocks from the King Street Metro Station (Yellow and Blue lines). Click here for more information about parking in Alexandria.
I wrote a book, will you carry it in the store?
Congratulations! Due to our limited shelf space, we only stock books from publishers whose sales representatives we already work with.
Do you sell used books?
No, but our favorite used book store, The Company of Books is located just up the street in Del Ray!
Can I donate my used books to you?
No, but The Company of Books up in Del Ray does accept donations.
I’m a school teacher/librarian, can I get a discount?
Yes, we always offer a discount to schools paying with a school purchase order. Please contact ellen@hooray4books.com for more information.