So many books, so little time.
Charlotte is no stranger to good art and culture, and that is precisely why we’re excited to highlight 5 of its best independent book stores. From cute and cozy used shops to cafes meet bookstores, to ones that are homes to the cutest bookstore cat, you’ll definitely wan to visit all of them if you’re a book lover.
1. Park Road Books
Park Road Books, operating sine 1977, is the only full-service independently owned-bookstore in Charlotte. A frequent recipient of Creative Loafing’s Best in Charlotte Readers’ Pick award, this bookstore focuses on pairing the perfect book for your tailored tastes. Park Road stocks only new titles but keep its old-school vibe with a classically designed layout. Grab a new release or a staff pick, like Tara Westover’s Educated, sit on an arm chair, and relax.
Where: 4139 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
2. The Book Rack
The Book Rack is a huge used bookstore based here in Charlotte with over 50,000 used titles for $6 or less. They even have the option to rent new titles for $3 for 14 days. From paperbacks to hardcovers, children’s to adult, fiction to non-fiction, you’re guaranteed to leave with a stack of new and cheap books to get lost in.
Where: 10110 Johnston Rd #5, Charlotte, NC 28210
3. Julia’s Cafe & Books
Julia’s is known for their enormous used books selection–from best sellers to rare and antique finds. This bookstore-meets-cafe also prides themselves on tasty, roasted coffee and pastries. Pull up a chair and check out a unique art or cookbook or literary novel while munching on a baklava or sugar cookie and a mug of hot brewed coffee from the local roaster, Magnolia. Definitely a gem of Charlotte’s community.
Where: 1133 N Wendover Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
4. Buyers Books
facebook / buyersbookclt
BuyersBooks is another used bookstore in Charlotte. Located inside a small unassuming shopping mall, the mood inside is quite cozy. Their Facebook promotes a lot of fun and niche sections of their bookstore, and even has an interesting series called ‘Things Found in Books,” like old letters and photos. BuyersBooks really brings back the feeling of discovery that comes with book shopping. Another unique feature of the bookshop is the model airplane used in the 40s that has been in the process of being restored piece by piece sine 2010. They’ve also got the cutest cat.
Where: 1306 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
5. That’s Novel Books
Located inside the co-working space, podcasting studio, and wellness pace, ‘we are hygee,’ is Charlotte’s newest used bookstore called That’s Novel Books. They specialize in used books as well as a hand-picked selection of new titles from local Charlotte authors. Their motto is about creating a community around books in a way that brings a social aspect to the otherwise solitary act. They’ve recently opened (February 2020) in the Camp North End part of the city so stop by and say hi, and pick out a new favorite book.
Where: 330 Camp Rd Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28206
[featured image by Julia Fay via Instagram]