Every holiday season we encourage West Philly residents to support local businesses and spend more money in the neighborhoods, whether on holiday gift shopping, dining or entertainment. This weekend, some of you will be shopping for last-minute gifts and probably will be looking for books to give to your special someone. This is a brief reminder that we have some really nice bookstores in the area. Some of them are having holiday specials and hope you will stop by and check out their offers. So here are a few suggestions:

Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave) has lots of tasteful, pleasing gifts, including a nice selection of wall calendars. The shop will be open every day through December 24 for your last-minute holiday shopping: Noon – 7 today, Saturday and Monday, Noon – 5 (possibly later) Sunday, closing at 4:00 p.m. on December 24, and of course will be closed on Dec. 25. Stop by for cider at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Feel free to call 215-662-5780.

Penn Book Center (130 S. 34th St.) is offering a special 2 for 1 deal on Everyman’s Library hardbacks and assorted cookbooks. Frequent buyers get a $10.00 credit every time they spent $100.00. Check out the Penn Book Center website to see the poem of the day, for info about the poetry reading series, and more.

Also check:

House of Our Own (3920 Spruce St) – Open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sat & Sun Noon – 6 p.m. E-mail: hooo@verizon.net or call 215-222-1576.

The Last Word Book Shop (220 S. 40th St) – Open Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. For more info call 215-386-7750.

Hakim’s Bookstore (210 S. 52nd St) – Open Wed-Thu Noon – 6 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. E-mail: hakims_bookstore@verizon.net; Phone: 215-474-9495.