The best book, hobby & craft shops in New Britain

11 book, hobby & craft shops we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of New Britain’s best · Restaurants · Entertainment · Nightlife · Bakeries & Sweets · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Shopping · Beauty · Home & Garden · Arts & Culture · Parks & Outdoors · Cafes · Pets · Sporting Goods

Pinned in New Britain today

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Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · 11 places · showing the latest additions first

Tabletop Gaming Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Large gaming retailer, stocking board and card games, with space to play.

741 New Britain Ave (Newington)

“Large gaming retailer, stocking board and card games, with space to play.”

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Martel Music Store

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Martel Music Store is the go-to spot this week for Hartford players, with walls of guitars and basses, a selection of keys and drums, and…

1 Whiting St (Plainville)

“Martel Music Store is the go-to spot this week for Hartford players, with walls of guitars and basses, a selection of keys and drums, and pedals from Strymon and Walrus Audio to JHS and Universal Audio. They also handle rentals, lessons, repair, and solid pre-owned finds.”

From the Hartford newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).

600 Hartford Rd, W Farms Mall

“Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).”

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RANDELL REID MASTER VIOLINS

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

If your fiddle needs love before the next rehearsal, Randell Reid Master Violins has been Hartford’s West End luthier since 1998, doing…

125 Warrenton Ave (Hartford)

“If your fiddle needs love before the next rehearsal, Randell Reid Master Violins has been Hartford’s West End luthier since 1998, doing meticulous restorations, bow rehairs, and setup tweaks, plus handcrafted violins, violas, and cellos from aged European tonewood that play like butter.”

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Run a New Britain business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

Music & Arts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Retail chain offering musical instruments, audio gear & accessories, plus rental & repair services.

989 Farmington Ave (West Hartford)

“Retail chain offering musical instruments, audio gear & accessories, plus rental & repair services.”

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Michaels

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).

The Village Shops, 99 Executive Blvd N Ste 25 (Southington)

“Chain retailer carrying art & hobby supplies plus home decor (most offer classes & custom framing).”

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Jerry's Artarama of CT

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Retailer selling an extensive selection of art supplies, from paints to paper to portfolios.

1109 New Britain Ave (West Hartford)

“Retailer selling an extensive selection of art supplies, from paints to paper to portfolios.”

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Music & Arts

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Retail chain offering musical instruments, audio gear & accessories, plus rental & repair services.

99 Executive Blvd S (Southington)

“Retail chain offering musical instruments, audio gear & accessories, plus rental & repair services.”

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Hobby Lobby

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Chain carrying a variety of arts & crafts materials, plus party supplies, fabric & home-decor items.

1235 Farmington Ave (Bristol)

“Chain carrying a variety of arts & crafts materials, plus party supplies, fabric & home-decor items.”

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Guitar Center

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Retailer of guitars, keyboards, drums, and other musical instruments, as well as sound equipment.

839 Queen St (Southington)

“Retailer of guitars, keyboards, drums, and other musical instruments, as well as sound equipment.”

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The Music Shop

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Instruments include guitars, drums, saxophones and trumpets, plus lessons, repairs and sales.

405 Queen St (Southington)

“Instruments include guitars, drums, saxophones and trumpets, plus lessons, repairs and sales.”

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