# Shakespeare and Company, Independent Bookstore

> Publicly sourced profile assembled by Optimly, in the Brand Index. Last refreshed 2026-11-07.

- **Brand record:** https://optimly.ai/brand/shakespeare-and-company-independent-bookstore
- **Dataset:** https://optimly.ai/brand/shakespeare-and-company-independent-bookstore.json
- **Markdown:** https://optimly.ai/brand/shakespeare-and-company-independent-bookstore/llms.txt
- **Official website:** https://shakespeareandcompany.com
- **Slug:** shakespeare-and-company-independent-bookstore
- **Categories:** retail-ecommerce

## Overview

- **Tagline:** Independent English-language bookstore, café, and literary institution in Paris, offering books, rare books, gifts, events, and worldwide shipping.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Description:** Shakespeare and Company is an English-language bookshop at 37 rue de la Bûcherie in Paris, opposite Notre-Dame. Founded in 1951, it is a meeting place for anglophone writers and readers and includes a café, online bookshop, gifts and merchandise, literary events, and a publishing arm.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

## Identity

- **Mission:** To serve as a meeting place for anglophone writers and readers and continue the literary and community spirit associated with Shakespeare and Company.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Founders & leadership:** Founded by George Whitman; his daughter Sylvia Whitman was officially placed in charge in 2006.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Website:** https://shakespeareandcompany.com
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Voice & tone:** Literary, welcoming, cultural, and community-oriented.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Founded:** 1951
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Headquarters:** 37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

## Offerings

- **Problem solved:** Provides access to English-language books, recommendations, literary events, cultural community, and related café and merchandise experiences in Paris and online.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Core capabilities:**
  - English-language bookselling
  - Online ordering and worldwide shipping
  - Rare book sales
  - Book recommendations and curated selections
  - Literary events and festivals
  - Click & Collect
  - Gifts and merchandise
  - Café service
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Products / SKUs:**
  - New and current English-language titles
  - Rare books
  - Shakespeare and Company editions
  - Children's books
  - Fiction and literature
  - Non-fiction
  - Poetry
  - Graphic novels and manga
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Pricing:** Products are listed in euros; prices vary by book, rare book, subscription, and merchandise item.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

## Audience

- **Target industry:** Bookselling, literary retail, café, and cultural events
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Customer base:** English-language readers, writers, artists, visitors to Paris, and online customers worldwide.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Ideal customer profile:** Readers and literary customers seeking English-language books, curated recommendations, rare books, literary events, and a cultural bookstore experience in Paris or online.
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Use cases:**
  - Buy English-language books online or in-store
  - Order books for worldwide delivery
  - Reserve books through Click & Collect
  - Browse and buy rare books
  - Purchase gifts, merchandise, and reading subscriptions
  - Attend literary events and festivals
  - Visit the café for specialty coffee and pastries
  - Discover staff recommendations and curated book lists
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

- **Customer outcomes:**
  - Access to English-language books in Paris and online
  - Worldwide delivery of book orders
  - In-store collection through Click & Collect
  - Access to rare books and curated literary selections
  - Participation in literary events and cultural programming
  - A welcoming setting combining books, coffee, culture, and conversation
Source: Brand's website (https://shakespeareandcompany.com) · 2026-11-07

Page last updated 2026-11-07.

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