Oxford Book Store

'Oxford Book Store' Atlanta, Georgia natives and longtime residents still mourn the loss of their favorite retail spots: great department stores like Rich’s and Davison’s, buying vinyl records at Peaches or finding a great old film at Movies Worth Seeing. But for literature lovers, the one that truly got away is Oxford Books.

Opened in 1970 by Rupert LeCraw in Peachtree Battle Shopping Center, Oxford instantly became a mecca for readers. Upstairs was the city’s first real coffee house – The Cup and Chaucer – where you could have a pastry with your cup of joe while reading a book or newspaper.

Oxford would expand to include a massive second location on Pharr Road, a used bookstore called Oxford, Too, Oxford Comics and short-lived locations on West Paces Ferry and in Sandy Springs.

The Pharr Road store in Buckhead (where Allure apartments are now located) became the flagship Oxford in 1992. Housed in a former Mercedes Benz dealership built in 1966 by Bruce Goff, the modern, space-agey feel of the two-story circular buildings was like no other in the city. Along with the miles of books, the Oxford on Pharr also had one of the largest magazine selections – from UK music monthlies, to underground literary zines to international newspapers. The store’s video rental section was a go-to for foreign film fans.

The stores attracted some of the biggest authors of the time for book signings. Since it was open 365 days a year, you could wander in after Thanksgiving dinner or spend your holiday cash on Christmas ... and much more.