<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000830134</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BROOKSTONE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BKST</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001238006</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STRICKLAND STEVEN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>99 BAYBERRY AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PROVINCETOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02657</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>V P OF MARKETING</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>9/27/04 date reporting person became an officer of Brookstone, Inc., no securities owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Steven Strickland</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

