Since we first published this independent book store guide in 2021, some spots on the original list have closed, while others have found new homes. There are also new stores to explore.
Here's a guide to the shelves around Charlotte and a few others just a drive away. Stores are listed in no particular order.
It’s the original — " the cornerstone of independent bookstores in Charlotte" since 1977, as it says on its website. It's a Park Road Shopping Center staple.
Location: 4139 Park Road
Park Road Books' staff picks are on the right as you walk in. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
There is a mix of new and used books here, along with local items, like greeting cards from Good Postage , also located in Camp North End.
Location: 330 Camp Road
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
You'll find Taco at That's Novel Books. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Trope Bookshop is a bus-turned-romance-bookshop. The Green Girl, as the bus is affectionately known, has what owner Katie Mitchell describes as an old-school English-style pub feel. There's a shelf dedicated to local authors.
Location: Find Trope Bookshop's weekly schedule on Instagram .
Go deeper: Fall in love with Charlotte's romance book store on wheels
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Book Buyers has been selling used books in Charlotte since 1999. The shop relocated from Plaza Midwood to the Eastway Crossing shopping complex a few years ago.
Location: 3040 Eastway Dr. B
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Inky, one of the cats at Book Buyers. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
This south Charlotte used book store has been around for decades and boasts having 50,000 used books for $8 or less.
Location: 10110 Johnston Road, Suite 5
From the partially completed puzzle on the back table, to the treehouse for kids, to the cozy chairs around the store, Belmont Bookshop whispers, "come on in. Stay awhile," the moment you walk in the door.
- It's a short drive down I-85 to the bookshop, which had its grand opening earlier this year.
Location: 7 N. Main St. Belmont, N.C .
Go deeper: 18 things to eat, see and do in Belmont including a rum distillery and farm-to-table brunch
Libby, the shop dog. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
This Black-owned store opened in University City in July 2021 and quickly became a hub for discussions, poetry and sipping wine on the patio. It's now a mobile book store.
- Owner Sonyah Spencer is an Ohio native who found comfort in books after her oldest son died. She hopes Urban Reader can be a space where people can "embrace the culture, ask questions and heal."
Location: Gibson Mill Market for now; 305 McGill Ave. Concord, N.C.
Davidson's redbrick sidewalks and benches are an instruction more than a decoration: They tell you, if you want to best experience this town, you should stop. You should park. You should stroll.
- And when you do, you may stumble into this wonderful bookstore that has its own set of instructions: Stop, pocket that phone and read.
- The book store was a filming location for " The Other Zoey ," a romantic comedy that was also filmed at Queens University of Charlotte.
Location: 126 S. Main St., Davidson
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Alissa Redmond is a diplomat turned bookshop owner in Salisbury. She opened South Main Book Company in 2019. Make sure you say hi to the shop dog, Hazelnut on your visit.
Location: 110 S. Main St., Salisbury, N.C.
Hazelnut hanging out in the window seat. Photo: Alissa Redmond/Courtesy of South Main Book Company
Photo: Alissa Redmond/Courtesy of South Main Book Company
This woman-owned pop-up book store opened in September 2023. It specializes in children's and young adult books. It's named for the scholarly owl from Disney's "The Sword in the Stone."
Location: 1625 Walkup Ave., Monroe, N.C.
Clearly's is a women-owned book store in Mount Holly selling new and used books.
Location: 105 N Main St. Mount Holly, N.C.
The wine bar, restaurant and book store opened in 2021 in Rock Hill.
Location: 295 Herlong Ave. Suite 401 Rock Hill, S.C. 29732
This woman-owned book store and coffee shop opened in downtown Kannapolis in 2017. Editions sells new and used books, plus locally made items.
Location: 217 S Main St. Kannapolis, N.C .
Expect new and used books here. It's named for owner Stephen Hayes' father, Fred, and his Aunt June.
Location: 248 N. Main Street Mooresville, N.C .
Husband and wife duo David and Bethany Kern opened Goldberry Books in 2020. They named their book store after a character from "The Lord of the Rings."
- You'll find new and used books here.
Location: 12 Union St. S Concord, N.C.
This Rock Hill book store sells new and used books. "Come for the high-brow literature; stay for the paper cuts," their Instagram bio reads.
Location: 1037 Oakland Ave. Rock Hill, S.C.
Melinda Parkes opened Walls of Books in 2018 in Cornelius. The shop sells new and used books.
Location: 20920 Torrence Chapel Road B-6 Cornelius, N.C.
Photo: Melinda Parkes
A little drive away
And here are a few favorites within driving distance …
55 Haywood St., Asheville (about two hours west of Charlotte)
Maybe North Carolina's most well-known bookstore, Malaprop's has one of the most knowledgeable staffs in the state. It also has a coffee shop and a huge collection of North Carolina books.
304 S. Elm St., Greensboro (about 90 minutes from Charlotte)
What’s to love: It’s become the "center for culture" in Greensboro, says the mentor and former college professor of Axios' Michael Graff . Scuppernong has a bar in the store with beer and wine, and hauls in great authors and music for events.
3 E. Jackson St., Sylva (about three hours west of Charlotte)
What's to love: When you’re this deep in the mountains, the stories all seem richer. City Lights has been a warm place for writers, readers and artists since local writer Gary Carden founded it in 1985.
Pro tip: Read North Carolina author David Joy's books, and if you haven’t yet, start with " Where All Light Tends to Go ."
220 Market St. Pittsboro (about two hours east of Charlotte)
You can read next to the rabbit if you’d like. Photo: Michael Graff/Axios
What's to love: It’s also in a destination, just 15 minutes outside Chapel Hill. Inside, manager Keebe Fitch and her team can tell you about all the local authors who’ve come through.
- Pro tip: Be sure to visit the rest of Fearrington Village, one of North Carolina’s gems. Eat at the AAA Five-Diamond restaurant. But whatever you do, be sure to check out the Belted Galloway cows.
Belted Galloway cow at Fearrington Village. Photo: Michael Graff/Axios
Editor's note: This guide was originally published on Dec. 2, 2021 and was updated on April 16, 2024.
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