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Charlotte Observer
It’s Banned Books Week, so here are 25 Charlotte-area indie bookstores to support
By Bethany Ivan,
3 days ago
When Goldberry Books opened in downtown Concord, I was ecstatic about the new life popping up on the corner of Cabarrus Avenue. and Union Street. The fact that I could explore the stories found within the pages while sipping on a sweet iced caramel cappuccino from Press & Porter next door excited me even more.
Upon entering the store, I was welcomed by a young woman who looked about my age, sitting behind the checkout counter. Away from the couch and chairs guarded by a table of books in the middle of the store, I gravitated toward the left hand side, toward where the fiction books sit. Mesmerized by the books covering the walls and shelves from top to bottom, I was actually on the search for a new romance novel, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on the one book I was specifically looking for.
Nervously, I approached the counter and asked the young woman if there was a romance book she might recommend. She excitedly got up from her chair and guided me toward the end of the fiction section and picked out a book that seemed almost at random, but it wasn’t. After reading the book jacket, I knew not only that Tommy Wallach’s book “Thanks for the Trouble” was coming home with me, but that I’d found a bookstore I could call my safe place.
There is something about independent bookstores that just makes me feel at home. I could spend hours getting lost along the shelves, either rediscovering books that I haven’t read since high school such as “A Doll’s House” or discovering new titles with plots that spark my interest, like “The Opposite of Maybe.”
At 2nd & Charles, book lovers can immerse themselves in the store’s new, used or discounted book selections. As you walk in, be on the lookout for a sea of orange signs offering more information above tables and shelves, which showcase bestsellers, classics, books from BookTok, Manga, seasonal selections and more. And it’s not just books: Music lovers can peruse the store’s collectables, as well as latest hits on vinyl.
At Archive CLT, powerful stories celebrating Black culture are waiting to be told. Thanks to the vision of Archive’s owner, Cheryse Terry, the store is not your typical coffee shop — but is a business dedicated to preserving Black culture.
“Leisure, community and history” are three words that Terry would use to describe Archive, she told CharlotteFive.
Public figures including Maya Angelou, Malcolm X and Josephine Baker are painted on the walls, welcoming you in to select one of the store’s coffee drinks named after Black music artists such as Foxy Brown and Nikki Gingervanni. The store’s shelves showcase vintage magazines, newspapers, memorabilia and vintage toys dedicated to Black culture throughout history. The store’s book selection features Black authors, ranging from Toni Morrison to Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Cheryse Terry stands in front of a mural of Black history makers inside Archive. Katrina Wilson/CharlotteFive
Belmont Bookshop is a community-focused bookstore dedicated to making meaningful connections. , Libby, the bookstore’s dog, greets you at the door, which has bookshelves set against green walls. Here, the attentive staff takes time to get to know you and offer excellent book recommendations.
Readers will find a variety of authors, such as Hannah Grace, TJ Klune and Ana Huang.
The Gaston County store is dedicated to supporting local authors and artists. Keep your eyes peeled for the colorful blackboard highlighting r fundraisers, blind dates with a book club events and plant sales.
Belmont Bookshop offers a cozy space and a welcoming environment for visitors. Courtesy of Kristina Bulovic and Brian Frederick/Belmont Bookshop
Book Buyers is no ordinary bookstore. Since its opening in 1999, the bookstore has provided used books in diverse genres, including paranormal romance and foreign languages. In the mix are beautiful rare editions, along with a few napping cats to keep you company while you browse.
The store hosts a regular Friday Book Quiz , and winners earn a store gift certificate.. The store also hosts a regular featured writers segment, where attendees can hear writers reading their works.
Book Buyers has a wide variety of books for your next read. Courtesy of Lee Rathers/Book Buyers
Since it opened in 2023, Books On The House has been dedicated to providing access to literary materials to people of all ages. You may come across some unusual items aboard the bookmobile — grocery lists, bookmarks, and fun and cute doodles.. Free, recycled books are given to readers of all ages.
“Our motto is: Read, Recycle, Repeat,” founder Kathleen Varner told CharlotteFive. Varner’s mission is to provide access to books, offering readers a chance to have the time of their lives via the stories.
“We want our guests to know that we truly care about free book access for everyone and that by recycling books in our community we are saving over 40K books from a landfill every year.”
Want to help? You can schedule a book pickup for your donated books .
Coming up: Books On The House will be at Charlotte’s Bookpalooza on Oct. 12 at Urban District Market from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The event is free and open to all. There, you can also meet authors, participate in activities and dress up as your favorite literary character.
Books On The House is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free books and literacy materials to all ages. Courtesy of Kathleen Varner/Books On The House
For about 29 years, The Book Rack has been part of a coast-to-coast network of independently owned bookstores, in which each store is connected through trade-ins and used books. The Book Rack may look small on the outside, yet it boasts a huge selection of books inside.
“So ... many ... books,’ is a common refrain as we lead people through the store,” owner Jeanne Dowd told C5.
Expect a variety of topics and genres, especially in the used book section, including historical fiction, romance and guide books to North Carolina.
You’ll find a wide selection of rare and used books at The Book Rack in Charlotte. Courtesy of Jeanne Dowd/The Book Rack
Bring your appetite to Corks, Cooks, & Books, which is a restaurant, wine bar and bookstore. Guests can begin with either a glass of wine or a Bloody Good Time — a Bloody Mary topped with savory pimento cheese sliders, served with a side of fries.
Readers can shop for all kinds of books — especially cookbooks. Local musicians regularly give live performances. The entirety of the store — soon rebranding to CCB Bistro & Vine — is every food and wine enthusiast’s dream.
Cork Cooks & Books — which is transitioning to become CCB Bistro & Vine — is a restaurant and wine bar in Rock Hill that has a selection of food, wine and books. Courtesy of Michael Petersheim/CCB Bistro & Vine
Fred and June’s Books offers the serendipitous feeling of finding your perfect book. With shelves packed with new releases, historical fiction, romance and new adult genres, the selection is sure to impress.
Examples include Abby Jimenez’s recent release “Just for the Summer,” or Kiersten White’s Dracula Novel “Lucy Undying.” — a book to sink your mind (and teeth) into.
Not sure what to read next? The staff’s selection of personal favorites is a great place to start.
If you are a fan of Fill a Bag sales and challenging-yet-entertaining puzzles, the Friends Books on Main bookstore might be your new favorite. The store operates in connection with the Friends of York County, a nonprofit organization that specializes in supporting York County Libraries and their projects.
It offers a little bit of everything at a low price: racks, bookshelves and islands of books priced at $4, audiobooks ($4), children’s and teen’s books ($2), DVDs ($1), mass-market paperbacks ($1) and puzzles ($3-$6).
Friends Books on Main also hosts occasional $10 Fill A Bag Sales.
While you browse the shelves at Goldberry Books,, filled with works written by Jane Austen, Toni Morrison and William Shakespare, you’ll be accompanied by jazz music or the occasional Claude Debussy tune playing in the background. In the heart of the store, open chairs and a couch offer a place for shoppers to page through options, deciding on books to buy.
As you’re checking out, workers behind the counter occasionally thank customers by placing a bookmark inside purchases, with quotes from Vincent Van Gogh or Mortimer Alder.
Goldberry Books is next door to cozy coffeehouse Press & Porter . Shoppers can either sip on their drinks while browsing the shelves of the bookstore, or take their purchases next door after shopping to relax, read and play a few board games.
The Grounds Bookstore and Cafe, a two-story bookstore and cafe, readers will find fiction alongside books on relationships, finances, devotionals, Bibles and self-help books. The store also offers space for reading, business meetings or simply catching up with an old friend.
Upon purchasing a Cafe Mocha or a seasonal Toffee Hot Chocolate, customers play a vital part in helping the community. Proceeds go toward local ministries in Mecklenburg County and global mission efforts, such as providing refuge to victims of sex-trafficking in the Philippines, teaching English and the Christian gospel to students in Slovakia and more.
Think of Julia’s Cafe & Bookstore as a local’s “Cheers” but with books and coffee. The store supports Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region’s mission to tackle affordable housing.
As you drink a sweet HoneyBee Latte or snack on a brownie from Cakeable , browse through the book selection and be on the lookout for books marked with different colored dots. Each color represents the cafe’s book pricing — books with red dots are $3.98 each or three for $10, and books with green dots are $5.98 each or three for $15. Mass-market paperbacks are $1.25 each or six for $6.
Julia’s Bookstore and Cafe has been temporarily closed for renovations and will be hosting its grand re-opening on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., with activities, food trucks and a raffle.
It’s difficult to leave Main Street Books empty handed. And why would you want to? Its shelves are full of stories written about healing, connections and friendship, such as Elizabeth Stout’s “Tell Me Everything.”
Pro tip: Ask the staff about its carefully curated book selection, which includes stories written by Davidson College alumni authors. Check out John Copenhaver’s New York Times Best Crime Novel of The Year “Hall of Mirrors.” Be sure to also check out Marian Schembari’s moving memoir “A Little Less Broken,“ where she tells her story of self-discovery after being diagnosed with autism at 34.
Mirror Ball Books provides both BookTok books and classic reads.
Check out the shop’s Blind Date with a Book packages: Brown paper wrapped mystery packages with a brief description of what the book is about and decorated with stickers, treats, a small lithograph and the occasional bookmark — with a pink bow on top.
Be sure to follow the trail of pink and mirror balls at the book pop-up’s permanent shop at The Collective in Belmont.
As part of MorningStar Ministries, MorningStar Bookstore welcomes you to a selection of Christian books and teaching materials. Shoppers in need of Bible school materials or leadership needs can work their way through the store and find a variety of Bible studies, worship music, apparel and more.
Bestseller books are displayed on tables, including “The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand” and “The Final Quest Trilogy.”
Be prepared to shop until you drop at one of the cutest gift stores in town, Paper Skyscraper. Readers will be able to find interesting reads with intriguing covers such as “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”; “In Charm’s Way”; “The Fragile Threads of Power” and more.
Not just for book lovers: As you make your way throughout the store, you’ll notice adorable and quirky gifts suited for every occasion. Shoppers can be entertained by funny greeting cards, cocktail kits, bachelorette party favors and home decor.
Paper Skyscraper not only has a variety of books to choose from but also has a selection of party favors, gifts and local art. Courtesy of Paper Skyscraper
Park Road Books is a reader’s dream come true — for adult and child bookworms alike. Among the long aisles of books, a few new titles can be spotted on the shelves — “An Impossible Life” by Matt Haig, “The Games Gods Play” by Abigail Owen and “Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellors.
A charming children’s section is filled with puzzles that both spark curiosity and challenge little ones. The book-themed tote bags hanging on the walls are for sale, enticing shoppers to fill them with new finds.
Pick up some reading material to keep you busy from a local bookstore, order them online or download them to your device. Courtesy of Park Road Books/CharlotteFive
Second Look Books is a family-owned used bookstore with books for any age, genre and budget.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, the staff at Second Look Books is eager to assist, whether you need a specific title or are seeking a recommendation. The store also offers gifts, including charming crocheted bunnies and cozies from crochet artist Amanda Buckner (they caught my eye!).
The bookstore’s staff members are dedicated to supporting the community and helping local authors share their stories by hosting book signings. Recently, the bookstore hosted a signing for Susan Shaw’s new book “Journey of Faith,” recounting the life of her daughter Faith, who passed away from cystic fibrosis in 2019.
For over 40 years, Shepherd’s Fold Books has carried a selection of books in Christian living, relationships, art, cooking and spiritual growth. Search the shelves for books, church supplies, movies, apparel and more. Visitors can also shop for home decor as racks and baskets filled with anointing oil, candles and flowers in vases.
There is much to do at Camp North End, and Alyssa Pressler’s That’s Novel Bookstore is definitely a place worth exploring. Follow the yellow-tiled floor to the bookshelves adorned with plants. If you’re not sure what sparks your interest, Pressler will help you find what you are looking for.
The bookstore also has a section filled with Queen City themed stickers, Thermoses, mugs and shot glasses.
Along the way, be prepared for an unexpected amount of fun. Once in a while, Pressler collaborates with other businesses in Charlotte, hosting fun and entertaining activities for shoppers. One such event included tattoos from High Vibes Tattoo artists. She also hosts Novels and Needles, a small get-together for readers, fiber artists and visitors to discuss their favorite books or crochet to their heart’s content. Be sure to check out the store’s Instagram for upcoming events.
Alyssa Pressler opened That’s Novel Books at Camp North End in 2020. Courtesy of Alyssa Pressler/That’s Novel Books
Those who love scandalous yet addictive book tropes and steamy romance novels are in for the ride of their life aboard the green bus that is Trope Bookshop.
Through the bus’s monthly and weekly pop-ups, you will find shelves filled with spicy romance books, including , books published by local authors. The book bus also sells stickers with sexy sayings, perfect for your laptop or Stanley cup.
At each pop-up, visitors can relax and connect with owner Katie Mitchell and other book lovers aboard the bus, sharing conversations about favorite book tropes, chapters or steamy novels.
The bookstore now has a new home base at Charlotte Collective each Tuesday through Sunday. But fear not, the green book bus still makes its rounds every week, so be on the lookout.
If you are a rebellious reader with a love for banned books, be sure to check out the Urban Reader Bookmobile. After closing down her bookstore by the same name, Sonyah Spencer opened Urban Reader Bookmobile, transforming her store into a venture on wheels.
“Everyone who has been on the bus (says it) takes them back to their childhood, but I enjoy watching the children get on and be amazed by the bus and books. The bus is truly an experience,” Spencer told C5. Urban Reader Books also has a book vending machine at Northlake Mall.
For Banned Books Week, Spencer will host a pop-up at Rickey Smiley’s book signing at Chosen City Church on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Urban Reader was revamped as a book mobile in 2023. Courtesy of Sonyah Spencer/Urban Reader Bookmobile
As visitors wander through the HomeStyles Gallery & Specialty Shops, they will discover Upstairs Book Nook on the second floor. Most of the romance, travel, art, comics and non-fiction books are priced between $1-$5.
Upstairs Book Nook even has an every-day special: Buy any four books and get the fifth book free. If there is a specific book that you are looking for, you can use the form on the website’s contact page, and staff members will do their very best to help you out.
Sad news: After being open for about 16 years, Upstairs Book Nook will close its doors soon. While the exact closing date is uncertain, the store is expected to remain open into October, depending on its inventory.
Calvary Church’s bookstore, The Word Room, offers a welcoming experience to those seeking devotionals.
Located in the Galleria of the church, The Word Room provides Bibles, Christian books and children’s books. The store also sells greeting cards and drinkware with the Calvary Church logo.
Wall of Books is a cozy new-and-used bookstore with a seemingly never-ending supply of books covering the store’s walls, ready to spark curiosity and interest. A chair or bean bag marks every corner of the store, inviting you to settle in and enjoy.
Take a moment to explore the lithographs created by local artists, featuring powerful quotes from stories and public figures. These colorfully printed pieces make a memorable addition to your purchase and enhance your home decor.
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