Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day: A Directory of Bookstores to Support
6 min read
Independent Bookstore Day is a celebration of the bookstores that keep local literary culture alive. These are the places where readers find their next favorite author, children discover the magic of books, writers host their first signings, and communities gather around stories.
For Intellectual Ink, this day is also a reminder that bookstores are part of the literary ecosystem. When we support independent bookstores, we support authors, publishers, editors, readers, book clubs, local businesses, and the future of storytelling.
Use this directory as a starting point. Visit a store, order online, buy a gift card, attend an event, or share a bookstore with someone who needs a good read.
Philadelphia Independent Bookstores
Hakim’s Bookstore & Gift Shop
Address: 210 S. 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Website: hakimsbookstore.com
A historic Black-owned bookstore in West Philadelphia with a deep focus on African American history, literature, culture, and education. Hakim’s lists its location at 210 S. 52nd Street.
Harriett’s Bookshop
Address: 258 E. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125
Website: oursisterbookshops.com
Named in honor of Harriet Tubman, Harriett’s Bookshop centers women authors, activists, artists, and thinkers. The shop lists its address as 258 E. Girard Ave.
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books
Address: 5445 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144
Website: unclebobbies.com
A Germantown bookstore and café founded by Marc Lamont Hill, offering books, coffee, events, and community-centered programming. Uncle Bobbie’s describes itself as an independent and Black-owned coffee shop and bookstore in Germantown.
A Novel Idea
Address: 1726 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19148
Website: anovelideaphilly.com
A South Philly independent bookstore supporting local writers, readers, workshops, and literary events. East Passyunk’s directory lists A Novel Idea at 1726 E. Passyunk Ave.
Head House Books
Address: 619 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Website: headhousebooks.com
A Queen Village neighborhood bookstore offering fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, events, and community programming. Head House Books lists its address as 619 S. 2nd Street.
Multiverse
Address: 8026 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
Website: multiversephilly.com
A bookstore for sci-fi, fantasy, comics, games, graphic novels, and pop culture readers. Multiverse lists its address at 8026 Germantown Ave.
50 Watts Books
Address: 15 W. Highland Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
Website: 50wattsbooks.com
A visually bold bookstore and indie publisher specializing in art books, design, illustration, comics, zines, and unusual finds. 50 Watts says its retail shop is at 15 W. Highland Ave. in Chestnut Hill.
Molly’s Books & Records
Address: 1010 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Website/Social: Instagram
A family-owned Italian Market shop offering books, records, and the kind of browsing experience readers love. PAWS lists Molly’s Books & Records at 1010 S. 9th Street.
Pennsylvania Independent Bookstores
A Concrete Rose
Address: 910 S. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
Website: aconcreterose.com
A bookstore, café, and community space focused on books, culture, food, and authors of African descent.
The Black Reserve Bookstore
Address: 319 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446
Website: theblackreservebookstore.com
A Black-owned bookstore centering Black literature, history, culture, education, and community.
Baldwin’s Book Barn
Address: 865 Lenape Road, West Chester, PA 19382
Website: bookbarn.com
A five-story used and rare book destination housed in a historic barn. Baldwin’s lists its address as 865 Lenape Road.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
Address: 1302 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102
Website: midtownscholar.com
A major independent bookstore and café offering new, used, rare, and academic books, plus author events. Midtown Scholar lists its location at 1302 North Third Street.
White Whale Bookstore
Address: 4754 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Website: whitewhalebookstore.com
A family-owned general interest independent bookstore in Pittsburgh centered on conversation, community, and culture.
The Tiny Bookstore
Address: 113 Grant Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15209
Website: thetinybookstore.com
A small Pittsburgh bookstore featuring books, gifts, toys, collectibles, and community-minded reading.
New Jersey Independent Bookstores
La Unique African American Bookstore & Cultural Center
Address: 111 N. 6th Street, Camden, NJ 08102
Website: launiquebooks.com
A South Jersey bookstore and cultural center focused on African American books, history, education, and community.
Source of Knowledge Bookstore
Address: 867 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Website: sourceofknowledgebookstore.com
A long-standing Black-owned bookstore and community hub in Newark. Best of NJ notes that Source of Knowledge has grown from a bookstore into a community center focused on Black community, culture, and literature.
The Little BOHO Bookshop
Address: 164A Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Website: thelittlebohobookshop.com
A Bayonne independent bookstore offering new and used books, book clubs, children’s programming, and staff picks.
Montclair Book Center
Address: 221 Glenridge Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042
Website: montclairbookcenter.com
One of New Jersey’s largest independent bookstores, with new and used books, records, CDs, and more. VisitNJ lists Montclair Book Center at 221 Glenridge Ave.
Watchung Booksellers
Address: 44 Fairfield Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
Website: watchungbooksellers.com
A community bookstore in Montclair with fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, events, and a strong local following. Watchung Booksellers describes itself as an independent community bookstore in Montclair.
Inkwood Books
Address: 106 Kings Highway E., Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Website: inkwoodnj.com
A South Jersey independent bookstore offering books, gifts, children’s titles, and local events.
Bookends
Address: 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Website: book-ends.com
A well-known independent bookstore with a long history of author events, signed books, and celebrity signings.
The Curious Reader
Address: 229 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ 07452
Website: thecuriousreader.com
A children’s bookstore serving young readers, families, schools, and educators.
Words Bookstore
Address: 179 Maplewood Ave., Maplewood, NJ 07040
Website: wordsbookstore.com
A community-focused independent bookstore known for events, author talks, and inclusive programming.
East Coast Bookstores to Support
MahoganyBooks
Address: 1231 Good Hope Road SE, Washington, DC 20020
Website: mahoganybooks.com
A nationally recognized Black-owned bookstore committed to books written for, by, and about people of the African Diaspora.
Sankofa Video, Books & Café
Address: 2714 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001
Website: sankofa.com
A bookstore, café, and cultural institution rooted in Black literature, film, history, and community.
Loyalty Bookstores
Address: 843 Upshur Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
Website: loyaltybookstores.com
An independent bookstore with a strong focus on diverse books, community programming, and inclusive literary spaces.
The Lit. Bar
Address: 131 Alexander Ave., Bronx, NY 10454
Website: thelitbar.com
An independent bookstore and wine bar that has become a major literary destination in the Bronx.
Café Con Libros
Address: 724 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Website: cafeconlibrosbk.com
A Black-owned feminist bookstore and coffee shop centering women, gender-expansive readers, and community care.
Sister’s Uptown Bookstore
Address: 1942 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10032
Website: sistersuptownbookstore.com
A Black-owned bookstore and cultural space serving Harlem and beyond.
Books Are Magic
Address: 225 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Website: booksaremagic.net
A popular independent bookstore known for author events, contemporary fiction, literary culture, and community engagement.
Yu & Me Books
Address: 44 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10013
Website: yuandmebooks.com
An Asian American woman-owned bookstore in Manhattan’s Chinatown focused on immigrant stories, writers of color, and community.
More Independent Bookstores Across the Country
Octavia’s Bookshelf
Address: 1361 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104
Website: octaviasbookshelf.com
A Black-owned bookstore named in honor of Octavia Butler, celebrating speculative fiction, Black literature, and diverse stories.
Ashay By The Bay
Address: Vallejo, CA
Website: ashaybythebay.com
A children’s bookstore focused on diverse books, Black children’s literature, and educational resources.
Semicolon Books
Address: 1714 W. Division Street, Chicago, IL 60622
Website: semicolonchi.com
A Black woman-owned bookstore and gallery space supporting literature, art, and community programming.
Birchbark Books
Address: 2115 W. 21st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Website: birchbarkbooks.com
An Indigenous-owned bookstore founded by author Louise Erdrich, featuring Native literature, art, and community-centered bookselling.
Deep Vellum Books
Address: 3000 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75226
Website: deepvellum.org
An independent bookstore and publisher focused on translated literature, international voices, and literary discovery.
Square Books
Address: 160 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655
Website: squarebooks.com
A beloved Southern independent bookstore with deep literary roots and a strong author event tradition.
Powell’s Books
Address: 1005 W. Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97209
Website: powells.com
One of the most famous independent bookstores in the country, known for its massive selection of new and used books.
How to Support Independent Bookstores Today
Buy a book directly from an indie bookstore. Order from their website instead of defaulting to major online retailers. Purchase gift cards. Attend events. Bring your book club. Share their posts. Leave reviews. Sign up for their newsletters. Ask your school, library, or organization to partner with local bookstores for author events and bulk orders.
Independent bookstores survive because readers choose them on purpose.
They are not just retail spaces. They are cultural spaces. They help decide which books get discovered, which authors get championed, and which stories stay in circulation.
This Independent Bookstore Day, support the stores that support readers, writers, and community.
Call to Action
Know an independent bookstore we should add to this list? Send us the name, city, website, and social media handle so we can continue updating this directory.
