Downtown Kent is home to a variety of stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Although you will see a few familiar names strolling through the city, the majority of downtown Kent is filled with small businesses. One of these small businesses is Last Exit Books and Coffeehouse. Last Exit is a used bookstore that sells books, vinyls, cds and of course, coffee. It is currently located in 124 East Main Street in downtown Kent, right near Acorn Alley. It originally opened in downtown Kent in 2004, but was expanded to include a coffee shop in 2015.
I first learned about Last Exit when I toured Kent State University last February. I had never been to Kent before, and when I heard that there was a local bookstore I knew that I needed to go in. When I walked into Last Exit for the first time, I was immediately interested in the layout of the store. There are multiple sections of Last Exit. The first half of the store consists of the coffee shop/study area and the collection of used books. While the other half of the store focuses on vinyls, cds and movies. I instantly loved the coffee shop area and knew that it would be a great place to study.
Last Exit has a great variety of both coffees and teas as well as an assortment of baked goods. I personally recommend their cinnamon muffin and hot chocolate. I also love that if you order your coffee “for here” they give you an actual mug to use, which I think makes the experience more homey. They also have an assortment of syrups to flavor your coffee, including seasonal flavors like pumpkin. Last Exit is a great place to study if you need a place with good coffee, free wifi and comfy chairs.
Last Exit also has a large variety of used books, and their selection is especially appealing to fans of classic literature and poetry. I found a beautiful copy of Pride and Prejudice that was in new condition for only eight dollars, as well as the rest of Jane Austen’s novels in the same matching cover.
Their music selection is also amazing, with a combination of both new and used vinyls. There is something for everyone, if you just have the patience to look through the stands. Every time I go to Last Exit I always take the time to look through the stacks of cds for my sister who is an avid cd collector. In fact, one time she found a season one glee cd for only two dollars. In addition to music, this side of the store is also home to Last Exit’s movie collection, which is full of great options for a fun movie night.
Last Exit also hosts poetry readings and open mic nights, so if you love poetry, Last Exit is the place to go. They also carry tote bags, sweatshirts and t-shirts with their logo on it to further show your support for this local business.
The next time you have some free time or are in need of a place to study, remember this article, and visit Last Exit Books & Coffeehouse! There are so many hidden gems here, so don’t forget to also explore the other amazing small businesses downtown Kent has to offer.