They say the store compares favorably with French bookstores.
Local patrons like Glenda A. Medeiros provide insight into how the renovated Coop differs from the old bookstore.
Medeiros attributes the warmer atmosphere in the building to the addition of the cafe during the renovation.
"Since the cafe has opened, I spend a lot of time in the store," Medieros says.
The dining area not only satisfies hungry customers but encourages book sales, Medieros says.
"It used to feel like you weren't allowed to take a book to read; now they must sell a ton of books by allowing browsing," says Medieros.
She offers an explanation of how the cafe boosts the Coop's business.
"I just picked up a book of Chekhov short stories to read over coffee," Medieros says. "I will probably end up buying it even though that was not my plan."