The Best Bookstores in Charlotte

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The Best Bookstores in Charlotte

Charlotte City in North Carolina is no stranger to good art and culture. You already know this means there are several bookstores, independent and publicly owned.

These bookstores range from cute and cosy used books stores to cafes-cum-bookstores. There are those that have a homey vibe to the cutest bookstore cat and the cats are friendly.

In these brilliant bookstores, you will find modern-day titles and rare ones too. In the food section, you will get healthy food and they have a vegan selection too. No doubt this is the holistic experience you look for while flipping pages.

You will always find something interesting and leave with more than you thought you needed. Some bookstores have a section for the great Civil War.

With that said, let’s now explore the best bookstores in Charlotte.

1. Book Buyers – Used Books

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The space of this bookstore will leave a good impression on you. It is a lot bigger than what most people expect.

And when it comes to the books, they are over the place and the isles in this store are endless. The books are well organized according to genres and by the alphabet of the authors.

You can not only buy a book here but you can also trade in your used book or sell it. They offer store credit for such trade.

This store is frequented by regulars who are friendly and can give great recommendations when asked.

Several of the books here are newer publications with anticipated titles.  Some of the books are older and rarer titles.  The employees were friendly and helpful.

Practical Information:

Address: 3040 Eastway Dr Ste B Charlotte, NC 28205

Website: https://www.instagram.com/book_buyers/?hl=en

2. Julia’s Café & Books – Used Books

If you love quirky spaces, this is the bookstore for you. It has a warm welcoming vibe and is much-loved by the locals. The bookshop is next to a bakery, Amelie French Bakery.

The lighting inside the store is flooded with natural light.

This bookstore is a subsidiary of Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, Julia’s Café & Books. Grab a book and read through while sipping and nibbling on some delicious pastries.

Proceeds from sales help fund Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes. They have been able to fund a house completely through the sale of books.

In the kid’s section, you will find fairly priced books that can be used in schools and at home too.

Practical Information:

Address: 1133 N Wendover Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211

Website: www.juliascafe.org

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 8 am – 4 pm

3. That’s Novel Books – Used Books

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This is one of the newest used bookstores in Charlotte. That’s Novel Books, is located at Camp North End and offers co-working spaces.

The bookstore is co-owned by Garrett Tichy the hygge owner and Alyssa Pressler hygge director of marketing.

Their goal is to create a common space for writing, literacy, creativity and art. That’s Novel Books clearly benefits from its passionate founders as well as its location in the creative hub.

Practical Information:

Address: Several Locations

Opening Hours: Thursday + Friday: 10:00am – 3:00pm|Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Website: https://wearehygge.com/retail/thatsnovelbooks/#toggle-id-2

4. CPCC Bookstore

CPCC Bookstore provides its customers with quality articles of not only books but clothing and many more. So if you a looking for more academic and research books, this is the bookstore to visit.

Furthermore, the bookstore has reviewers who are perfect for preparatory exams.

You will also find their digital content within the bookstore, such as eBooks and electronic informative materials. They also sell stationeries and school supplies within the store.

 Their customer service is great too.

Practical Information:

Address: 1112 Charlottetown Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204

Website: https://cpcc.bncollege.com

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 05:00 pm| Closed Sat & Sun

5. Paper Skyscraper – Independent Bookstore

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This next store in Charlotte is more of a gift store than a bookstore. They have plenty of children’s books, trending titles, coffee table books, and cookbooks that will catch your eye.

More gifts include candles, stationery, and glassware. They have all types of home goods and décor. It is, therefore, a great place to shop for friends and family and for yourself, too.

Paper Skyscraper has been in business for more than 3 decades in the historic Dilworth neighbourhood of Charlotte.

It started small to 5000 square feet of unique gifts ranging from home goods, books, stationery and beyond.

This is an easy, friendly space where you are likely to leave with a bag of goodies. It was voted the best independent store on Yelp

Practical Information:

Address: 330 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Website: https://www.paperskyscraper.com/pages/about

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00am – 07:00 pm| Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 06:00pm

6. The Book Rack

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Nothing beats the scent of a new book, but pre-owned books have some sense of warmth and adventure too. So if you are like me, you would visit The Book Rack to get a used book.

They have great bargains and deals for as low as $1. If you are looking for a new title, grab a new arrival at 20-50% off the publisher’s price. Book renting is allowed at $3 for 14 days.

There are more than 5000 titles available in this store. These books range from paperbacks to hardcovers, children to adults, fiction to non-fiction.

Practical Information:

Address: 10110 Johnston Rd #5, Charlotte, NC 28210

Website: https://web.facebook.com/CharlotteBookRack/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 06:30 pm| Saturday 10:00 am – 06:00 pm

7. Park Road Books

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At Park Road Books you will find the right book that is perfect for you. For years, they have won several nominations for multiple book store awards.

The books here are of different genres varying from fiction to educational materials. It is also a perfect place to study or spend some quiet time in the afternoon.

This cosy space has wooden rocking chairs, a book club nook with couches and armchairs, and an old-school vibe that makes you feel welcomed.

In addition, they have courteous staff and librarians always ready to assist their readers, depending on their reading preferences.

This store has been in operation since 1977 and is the only full-service independently owned-bookstore in Charlotte.

Grab a new release or a staff pick, like Tara Westover’s Educated, sit on an armchair, and relax.

Practical Information:

Address: 4139 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

Telephone: (704) 525-9239

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 09:00 am – 09:00 pm | Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 06:00 pm

Website: www.parkroadbooks.com

8. The Grounds Bookstore and Café

Image sourced from The Grounds Bookstore Website

The Grounds Bookstore and Cafe offers a unique mix of a book store and an in-house coffee café. This shop offers quality books varying from fiction to educational books.

Furthermore, the store has is very cosy and perfect for coffee lovers and avid readers.

The staff here are very accommodating and assist you to find your next read. In the café section, they have highly skilled baristas that blend delicious coffee.

Practical Information:

Address: 8335 Browne Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28269

Telephone: (704) 598-9800

Website: thegrounds@mecklenburg.org

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 09:00 am – 04:00 pm| Closed Friday & Saturday| Sunday 09:00 am – 12:30 pm