Nestled in the village of Hamburg, New York, outside of Buffalo, Merit Badge Books is a woman-owned, independent bookshop that carries new books for the whole family. But do we sell books about Merit Badges? We get this question a lot! We settled on the name Merit Badge Books because scouting and reading have so much in common: you go on adventures, gain new knowledge, and feel a sense of pride when you finish a book or master a skill. You take a leap into a new place every time you open the pages of a book. Merit Badge Books is dedicated to providing you with an authentic book shopping experience. Step into our storefront and run your fingers along book spines, marvel at new releases, and sure, if you want to, go ahead and judge a book by its cover. Pick a new book that calls out to you!

We are committed to making Western New York a more engaged, inclusive, and well-read community. We believe in the value of reading and share our passion through in-store programming and events and by partnering with local schools, organizations, and businesses to ensure that everyone has access to books.

 You can visit Merit Badge Books at 276 Buffalo Street in Hamburg, New York.

Heather Jackson has always been a storyteller. For most of her career, she has written, edited, and produced stories told through print, online, and audio platforms. She opened Merit Badge Books because she wanted to spend more time creating connections in her community. Now she gets to fill the shop with stories and talk books with customers every day. She was once told she has energy like Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail and considers it a compliment of the highest order.

 She lives in the village of Hamburg with her husband, two daughters, and drowsy cat, Eevee, who is named after a Pokemon and sleeps in a closet for 12 hours a day. When she’s not bookselling, Heather likes to take neighborhood walks and read articles about etymology. She loves Twizlers and hates olives.

Need a book outside of our open hours? Order online with us through our partners at Bookshop.org and get ready for book mail to arrive at your doorstep!

Listening is reading! Our friends at libro.fm carry all your favorite audiobook titles. When you use libro.fm, you’re supporting Merit Badge Books and indie booksellers across the nation.

Late March snow always bums me out even though I know it happens every year. 😅 So let’s talk about spring things to come! Thankfully, it looks like the temps will climb by the time we host Brian Hayden on Thursday April 3rd at 6 PM. Come meet
By far one of our current bestsellers, THE LET THEM THEORY by Mel Robbins, gives readers tools to stop using our energy on the things we can’t control and regain our emotional peace. But how do we go from reading about stressing less to actuall
It’s Tuesday release day! 🎉 We’ve got signed editions of John Green’s new book EVERYTHING IS TUBERCULOSIS in stock! If you’re already a fan of Green’s TikTok and IG accounts, then you know his talent for taking virtual
We are closing up at 4:30 pm today, Friday Mar 14th, to attend the memorial service of a special friend and customer. Chris was one of our biggest supporters; she was a lifelong reader and book collector who shared her giddiness over new book treasur
Easter basket idea!💡We know spring is for chicks and bunnies and birds and lambs but there’s always room for Buffalove in the form of a sweet & silly rhyming book and a new little fluffy friend to hug. 🦬❤️
Planning a staycation for spring break? Come listen as Brian Hayden, author of 111 PLACES IN BUFFALO THAT YOU MUST NOT MISS, shares some of the city’s best, most underrated, or kookiest spots. We bet you’ll be surprised by some of them! A
Okay, maybe teared up a little while reading this sweet new release DEAR BOOKSTORE by Emily Arrow (with whimsical illustrations done by Geneviève Godbout). It shows a young girl growing up through the lens of many visits to her local bookstore