The Woodbridge Gazette
There are bookstores, and then there are the kind of bookstores that make you slow down at the door before you go in — the ones that feel like they were built for people who actually love books rather than just sell them. Sleepy Dragon Books, which opened its doors on April 25 on Center Street in Historic Old Town Manassas, is exactly that kind of place.
The shop was founded by Emily Hamby, the owner of the beloved Honey & Ivy Gluten Free next door, and the connection makes complete sense the moment you walk in. For four years, Hamby heard customers in Old Town ask the same question: where's our bookstore in Manassas. That origin story — a community need, met by someone already deeply rooted in the community — is exactly the kind of thing this corner of Prince William County does well.
Open Tuesday through Sunday — closed Mondays. Plan your visit accordingly.
Sleepy Dragon is fantasy-focused by design, its shelves stacked with everything from picture books to adult fiction, with a mystical sensibility running through the whole place. But don't let the name fool you into thinking it's niche — there's a full sci-fi section, a romance section, and the classics are well represented too. The walls are lined with books ranging from fantasy and sci-fi to non-fiction and activity books, alongside decorative socks and trinkets. It has the feel of a shop that was curated by someone who reads, for people who read.
The blind date with a book packages — books wrapped in kraft paper, tied with twine, tucked with a little charm and a few clues about what's inside — are the most charming thing we've seen in a bookshop in years. It's the kind of touch that reminds you why independent bookstores matter in a way that an Amazon cart never will
Pick your mystery read. Each blind date package comes wrapped with clues about what’s inside.
sleepy Dragon Books is located at 9101 Center Street in Historic Old Town Manassas, right next door to Honey & Ivy. Pair it with lunch at one of the nearby restaurants and you have a perfect afternoon. Follow them on Instagram at @sleepydragonbooksva.
Worth the Drive: Old Town Manassas on a weekend afternoon — bookstore, bakery, and a stroll through one of the most charming streets in Prince William County.
Details: 📍 9101 Center Street, Historic Old Town Manassas, VA 📸 Instagram: @sleepydragonbooksva 🕐 Hours: Check their Instagram for current hours