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The Bookworm, Church Street, Bengaluru
The Bookworm is the Church Street bookshop that Krishna Gowda has run since 2002, with new titles shelved next to rare and out-of-print ones. Books bought here can be brought back for 50% store credit. In April 2026 a cloudburst flooded the shop and damaged thousands of books; the official site still sells online and lists a phone number for questions.
A Church Street institution since 2002, run by Krishna Gowda, the Bookman of Bengaluru, who started out selling used books off the pavement on MG Road. About half the stock is rare and out-of-print, shelved shoulder to shoulder with new titles, which is what makes the browsing slow in the good sense. Anything bought here can be brought back for 50% store credit. Author talks and launches run through the year, and the reading life of the street still leans on this address.
The long, slow second-hand treasure hunt of Church Street, with a legend behind the counter
What makes The Bookworm different
The Bookworm opened on Church Street in 2002. Krishna Gowda, often called the Bookman of Bengaluru, started out selling used books off the pavement on MG Road, and the shop still carries that habit: about half the stock is rare and out-of-print, shelved shoulder to shoulder with new titles. The official site sums it up as a large, unpretentious shop with new publications and second-hand titles.
That mix is what makes browsing here slow in the good sense.
✅ How to shop there
- Give it time. The point of the shop is the second-hand and rare stock, mixed in with new titles, and it takes browsing to find.
- Store credit. Anything bought here can be brought back for 50% of the price as store credit; confirm the terms at the counter.
- Watch for author events. Talks and launches run through the year.
- Buy online if you prefer. The official site sells new and second-hand books and has its own app for Android and iOS.
The April 2026 flood
On 29 April 2026 heavy rain and hail flooded the shop. Krishna Gowda told the press that 4,000–5,000 books were damaged, with losses estimated at ₹12–14 lakh, and that some 20–30% might be dried and sold at a discount while the rest would have to be discarded. The flood was reported in the national press, and readers responded with offers of support.
The official site does not carry a notice about the flood or about changed hours. If you are going specifically for the shop, call first.
Where it is and how to contact the shop
The Bookworm is on Church Street, a shopping and nightlife street that runs parallel to MG Road in central Bengaluru; the pin on the map above shows where it is. The official site lists the phone +91 98450 76757 and the email kris.bookworm@gmail.com. Opening hours are not published there and are not in the visit card above.
On the same street, Blossom Book House is the other big new-and-used bookshop, and the two make a natural pair for an afternoon.
❓ FAQ
Is The Bookworm in Bangalore open after the flood?
The official site still sells online and lists a phone number, but it publishes no notice on hours. Call +91 98450 76757 before going.
Who runs The Bookworm?
Krishna Gowda, who started by selling used books on the MG Road pavement and opened the shop on Church Street in 2002.
Does The Bookworm sell second-hand books?
Yes. About half the stock is rare and out-of-print, and books bought here can be returned for 50% store credit.
Can I buy from The Bookworm online?
Yes. The official site has an online shop and the store has an app for Android and iOS.
What are The Bookworm's timings?
Opening hours are not published on the official site. Call or message the shop before a special trip.