Big Chicken Barn Books — Local services in Ellsworth

I visited Chicken Barn Books & Antiques expecting a charming, curated experience, but instead found a business model built around frustration, overpricing, and exploitation. From the moment I walked in, the staff were dismissive, impatient, and sometimes outright rude. A pattern repeatedly confirmed by multiple 1-star Google reviews. Any attempt to deny this would only confirm it.

The books are consistently overpriced and often damaged: torn covers, water-stained pages, warped bindings, and brittle spines are common. Yet prices suggest each item is a pristine collectible. To make matters worse, staff write prices directly inside the books in pencil, permanently defacing them. I witnessed this firsthand. Collectors and casual buyers alike will recognize this as careless and disrespectful.

The pricing strategy is transparently exploitative. Staff openly check eBay for the highest listings and then subtract only a few dollars, regardless of condition. This is not speculation, I saw it happen. Any denial would only highlight that the business profits from overpriced, damaged stock.

Staff treat customers as inconveniences rather than guests. Dismissive, impatient, and occasionally rude, they clearly prioritize profit over professionalism. Other reviewers report the same, proving this is systemic.

If Chicken Barn wants respect, the solution is simple: treat customers like human beings, price books honestly based on condition rather than eBay, and stop writing inside books. Valuing both the collection and the people who visit could transform this place into something worthwhile. Until then, it remains a frustrating, exploitative experience.

Let me be clear: this review is based on firsthand observation, verified practices, and corroborated accounts. Any response attempting to deny or explain will not improve the business’s image, it will only confirm the practices outlined here. Chicken Barn Books & Antiques has a documented history of rude staff, overpriced damaged books, and exploitative behavior. That is indisputable.

Consider this a caution: if you value honesty, professionalism, and properly handled inventory, avoid this place. Enter expecting charm or expertise, and you will leave frustrated and aware you were treated primarily as a source of profit. Responding will not change reality… it will only reinforce it.

For management: treating books and people with respect could earn repeat customers and a reputation worth having. Until then, this is exactly what it is now: a disappointing, overpriced, and...

This place is a treasure trove of magazines, books and collectibles and worth a visit, but the surly and unhelpful staff are quite a disappointment. Granted today was a warm summer day and there's no A/C in the place, but the staff could not have been more unfriendly. Upstairs, I asked for some magazines and the woman gave me a curt answered and went about her business--clearly not interested in helping customers. Downstairs, the woman working the cash register has the WORST body odor I've smelled in years--I literally had to step away from the cash register as she rang up my purchases--incorrectly I might add--because her body odor was soooo offensive. The bathrooms were stinky and you got the message when you walk in the door. Instead of signs saying "Welcome, we're glad you're here", you are assaulted with several negative signs about not bringing trash in. OK, we get it--you have a problem with tourists dumping trash. But is that REALLY the first impression you want to create? Time for some throwing out of the surly staff and bringing in some friendly,...

I can sort of see the appeal. If you have an entire day to spend wandering aimlessly amongst overpriced doo-dads and knick-knacks, then this place is for you. That being said…

This place is kinda gross. The air inside is damp and dingy and the whole place smells unbelievably musty. The floors are soggy and dirty carpet. I would not trust buying any item with fabric (i.e. vintage clothing, blankets, etc.) as I can’t imagine how mildew and mold aren’t already growing in them. I also made the mistake of using their restrooms, which smelled even worse than the rest of the place.

Additionally, the folks working the registers are short and rude. Yelling at people and getting frustrated at tourism business (kinda weird since this is likely the only reason they stay in business).

The place was literally once a chicken coop. And you can tell. My advice is to look elsewhere. I have visited comparable and similarly quirky sprawling antique/book shops that are at least...