2. John Bale Bookstore
City: Waterbury, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (203) 591-1801
Address: 158 Grand St.
Description: The natural connection between books and food comes to fruition at this bookstore and cafe in downtown Waterbury. But this is not just a cafe for book nerds; you’ll find this is also a place that local businessmen, police officers, and construction workers frequent. The old stained glass under the metal awning lets you know you’re in for an unusual treat as you head under the movie-marquee entrance into this 2-story antiquarian bookstore. Try one of the stews if you’re there for lunch. On Sat you can even get breakfast, and on occasion a live pianist has been known to accompany your meal (or your search for books). They have thousands of comic books, and if you’re a collector, you’ll be salivating at more than the food.