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Charis Books & More
Featured

Retail & Shops

Charis Books & More

Atlanta, GA

Welcome to Charis Books & More, the South's oldest independent feminist bookstore. We opened our doors on November 4, 1974 in Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood, founded by Linda Bryant and Barbara Borgman around a simple, radical idea: that a bookstore could be a gift to its community. Our name comes from the Greek word charis, meaning grace or gift, and for more than fifty years we have tried to live up to it. In November 2024 we celebrated our 50th anniversary of feminist bookselling, and we are still going strong. In 2019 we moved from Little Five Points to a purple house at 184 S. Candler Street in Decatur, where we are proud to serve as the official bookstore partner of Agnes Scott College. Our shelves are curated with intention. You will find feminist literature, LGBTQ+ books, work by writers of color, diverse and affirming children's titles, and the kind of hard-to-find voices that big-box stores overlook. Many of our shelves are on wheels, so the space can shift to make room for readers, gatherings, and one another. Charis is more than a store. Together with our nonprofit programming partner, Charis Circle, we host more than 200 events a year, from author readings and open mics to book clubs and support groups for trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people of every age. Our mission is to foster sustainable feminist communities, work for social justice, and encourage the expression of diverse and marginalized voices. That work belongs to all of us. When you shop with us, you are shopping independent, queer, and feminist. Every book you buy and every event you attend helps keep this community space alive and helps fund the free and low-cost programming that has made Charis a home for generations of Atlantans. Whether you have been coming here since the Moreland Avenue days or you are walking through our door for the very first time, we are glad you are here. Come browse, come listen, come find your next favorite book, and come as you are. We saved you a seat.

Women-ownedLGBTQ-owned
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Charlie's Queer Books
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Retail & Shops

Charlie's Queer Books

Seattle, WA

Welcome to Charlie's Queer Books, Seattle's home for queer books. From our little purple Victorian house in Fremont, we sell books written by LGBTQ+ authors and books that put queer characters, lives, and love front and center. That is the whole shop. Every shelf, from literary fiction and memoir to poetry, graphic novels, sci-fi, and a growing romance section organized by pride flag, is here so you can walk in and find yourself on the page. We started as a mobile book cart in the summer of 2023 before opening our brick-and-mortar doors that November. Our founder, Charlie Hunts, is a man of trans experience who came to bookselling from a background in publishing and brand marketing, and he built this place around a simple idea: queer people deserve a third space that does not revolve around a bar. Somewhere you can browse, sit down, and stay a while. So we made it that kind of room. The walls are pink, the shelves are full, and there is an upstairs reading nook with comfortable chairs when you want to slow down with a book. Banners on the wall say what we mean: you belong here, and being gay is so fun. Alongside the books you will find gifts, stickers, tote bags, zines, jewelry, and apparel, plus a kids and young-reader corner so the youngest readers have shelves of their own. Charlie's is also a gathering place. We host book clubs, author talks, craft nights, and community events, and our meeting room is available to book for groups who need a welcoming space of their own. Over the years these rooms have held everything from a queer silent book club to weddings, and we love that our shop gets to be part of those days. Whether you are hunting for the queer story that finally makes you feel seen, shopping for a gag-worthy gift, or just looking for somewhere that feels like home, we would love to have you. Come find us at 465 N 36th St in Seattle, say hi, and let us match you with your next favorite read.

LGBTQ-ownedTrans-owned
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Happy Monkey Shop
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Retail & Shops

Happy Monkey Shop

Miami, FL

Happy Monkey Shop is a thoughtfully curated baby and kids destination built around one simple idea: the things our little ones play with, wear, and grow up around should be chosen with care. We stock conscious baby and kids brands across toys, clothing, accessories, home decor, strollers, and everyday baby essentials, favoring pieces that are well made, imaginative, and kind to the world our children are inheriting. Step inside our Coconut Creek shop and you will find open-ended playthings like modular activity boards and squishable characters sitting alongside dress-up jewelry, charm bracelets, and playful gifts that light up a child's face. Every brand we carry earns its place on the shelf, so parents, grandparents, and gift-givers can shop with confidence knowing the selection has already been vetted for quality and creativity. Whether you are hunting for a first-birthday present, a baby shower gift, or a small treat that feels a little more special than the big-box aisle, our team is happy to help you find it. Beyond the shelves, Happy Monkey is a community space for families. Our art studio hosts classes, workshops, day camp sessions, and birthday parties, giving kids a hands-on place to create, explore, and make friends. It is the kind of neighborhood spot where a quick errand can turn into an afternoon, and where the staff learns your child's name and what they are into this month. We are located at 4419 Lyons Road, Suite 104, in Coconut Creek, part of the Promenade at Coconut Creek. Our doors are open seven days a week: mornings through early evening on weekdays, later on Fridays and Saturdays, and shorter Sunday hours for a relaxed weekend browse. You can also reach us by phone or email, or explore the full collection online and have your favorites shipped to your door. At Happy Monkey Shop, we believe childhood is worth celebrating with intention. Come see why families across Coconut Creek and Broward County trust us for gifts and everyday finds that feel as good as they look.

Latino-ownedFamily-ownedWomen-owned
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Harriett's Bookshop
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Retail & Shops

Harriett's Bookshop

Philadelphia, PA

Welcome to Harriett's Bookshop, an independent bookstore in the heart of Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood, at 258 E. Girard Avenue. We are named for Harriet Tubman, and like our namesake, we believe in leading people toward freedom, one story at a time. Founded by Jeannine Cook and opened just before the pandemic reshaped the world, Harriett's exists to celebrate women authors, women artists, and women activists. Every shelf is an invitation to discover voices that have too often been left out of the room. As a Black woman-owned business, we carry books that reflect the fullness of our histories and our futures, curated with intention rather than by algorithm. But Harriett's has never been only a place to buy books. From the beginning we imagined a gathering place, a living room for the community where ideas, art, and activism could meet. On any given day you might find a cellist filling the shop with music, a procession moving down Girard Avenue in honor of the women who came before us, or neighbors carrying home free books meant to reach anyone who needs them. We host readings, conversations, and celebrations that turn the simple act of reading into something communal and alive. Harriet Tubman once said, "When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything." That sense of glory, of crossing into something new, is what we hope you feel when you walk through our doors. We want the shop to be a threshold, a place where you arrive as one version of yourself and leave carrying something that changes you. Whether you are a lifelong reader, a first-time visitor to Fishtown, or someone searching for a story that finally sounds like your own, there is a seat for you here. Come browse the shelves, sit a while, and let the women authors, artists, and activists who fill this space keep you company. At Harriett's, we are still writing the next chapter, and we would love for you to be part of it.

Black-owned
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Pan-African Connection
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Retail & Shops

Pan-African Connection

Dallas, TX

Welcome to the Pan-African Connection, a proudly Black-owned, family- and woman-owned bookstore, art gallery, and resource center on South Marsalis Avenue in Dallas. For decades we have called ourselves the shortest trip to Africa without getting on a plane, and when you walk through our doors you understand why. Every shelf, wall, and corner is arranged to reconnect people of African descent with the depth and beauty of their heritage. At heart we are a bookstore. Our shelves carry titles on African and African American history, health and wellness, spirituality, self-determination, and children's literature that lets young readers see themselves as heroes. Alongside the books you will find one of the largest African art collections anywhere, from hand-carved artifacts and sculpture to textiles, jewelry, and posters. We also stock clothing, natural hair products and oils, educational puzzles, and gifts that carry meaning long after they leave the store. But the Pan-African Connection has always been more than a place to shop. We are a cultural center and a gathering place for the community. Throughout the year our space fills with poetry and storytelling, drum circles, children's programs, art workshops, health advocacy, urban farming initiatives, and business mixers that bring DFW entrepreneurs together. Our annual Kwanzaa celebration runs the full seven days of Umoja through Imani, with programming for elders, families, and the youngest among us. Events like our herbal smudging workshops and liberation paint parties invite you to learn, create, and connect in person. We believe that culture is nourishment and that knowledge is power you can hold in your hands. Whether you are a lifelong reader searching for a hard-to-find title, a collector looking for authentic African art, a parent building a home library, or a neighbor who simply wants to feel rooted in something bigger, there is a place for you here. Walk-ins are always welcome. Come browse, ask questions, and stay a while. The Pan-African Connection is your connection to a heritage worth celebrating, right here in South Dallas.

Black-ownedWomen-ownedFamily-owned
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Parnassus Books
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Retail & Shops

Parnassus Books

Nashville, TN

Welcome to Parnassus Books, the independent bookstore for independent people. We opened our doors in Nashville's Green Hills neighborhood in 2011, when novelist Ann Patchett teamed up with bookseller Karen Hayes to make sure our city would always have a great place to browse, discover, and talk about books. Ann has been the store's sole owner since the summer of 2022, and her love of reading still sets the tone for everything we do. Step inside and you will find warm wooden shelves that climb from floor to ceiling, rolling ladders for reaching the top rows, and staff picks tucked into every section, from fiction and local interest to children's books and beyond. Our booksellers read widely and recommend generously, so ask us what we are loving right now. We are proud of our deep local-author shelves and our knack for matching the right book with the right reader. Then there are the shop dogs. From Lexington the dachshund who started it all to beloved regulars like Sparky and Opie, our four-legged staff greet browsers, pose for photos, and occasionally offer a recommendation in exchange for a scratch behind the ears. They are as much a part of Parnassus as the books on the shelves. There is almost always something happening here. We host author events, book clubs, and children's storytimes throughout the week, bringing writers and readers together the way a good bookstore should. If you cannot make it in person, we will happily ship a signed and personalized copy from one of our visiting authors, and Ann's own books are always available signed. Whether you are a lifelong Nashvillian or just passing through town, we invite you to slow down, wander the aisles, and let one of our booksellers point you toward your next favorite read. Pull up a chair, say hello to a shop dog, and stay awhile. That is what a neighborhood bookstore is for, and it is exactly what we set out to build at 3900 Hillsboro Pike in Green Hills. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Women-owned
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Peace Love World
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Retail & Shops

Peace Love World

Miami, FL

Peace Love World was founded in 2009 by Cuban-born, Miami-based designer Alina Villasante, who built the brand around a simple idea: what you wear can remind you of who you are. It began years earlier with her annual "Love Party," where she designed T-shirts, jewelry, and pajamas stitched with symbols of peace, love, and happiness for the women she cared about most. After she and her partner sold their aerospace company, Alina turned that passion into a lifestyle brand, selling $85,000 of merchandise out of her home, with lines around the block, before she ever opened a storefront. The heart of the collection is the brand's signature "I am" messaging. Pieces are emblazoned with affirmations like "I am Love," "I am Blessed," and "I am Peace," so getting dressed becomes a small daily act of intention. The line spans soft, wearable staples for women, men, and children: logo tees and long-sleeve tops, hoodies and crewneck sweatshirts, loungewear, and easy bottoms, all designed for the kind of comfort you reach for again and again. Comfort is not an afterthought here, it is the whole point. Fabrics are chosen to feel good against the skin, silhouettes are relaxed and forgiving, and the palette stays soft and versatile so pieces layer into real life. This is clothing meant for travel days, cozy mornings, school runs, and the moments in between, the pieces that quietly make you feel like yourself. From those early home sales, Peace Love World grew into a movement carried by thousands of boutiques and embraced by names like Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, and Pharrell. Today Alina continues to build the brand alongside her daughter Mia, developing new collections and reaching a devoted community through QVC and peaceloveworld.com. It remains a women-owned, family-run company rooted in Miami, still guided by the founder's original mission to spread positivity, one affirmation at a time. More than a label, Peace Love World is an invitation to wear your intentions, choose comfort, and lead with love. Whether it is a first "I am Love" tee or a well-loved hoodie added to a growing collection, each piece is designed to feel like a warm, wearable reminder of the best in you.

Latino-ownedWomen-owned
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Threads Boutique
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Retail & Shops

Threads Boutique

Pittsburgh, PA

Could not verify a standalone, independently operating business named "Threads Boutique" in Pittsburgh, PA. The website hint (paintedtree.com) points to Painted Tree Boutiques, a large marketplace at 490 E Waterfront Dr, Homestead, PA 15120 (Pittsburgh metro / The Waterfront) that houses hundreds of independent vendor booths selling gifts, decor, apparel, and accessories. "Threads Boutique" appears most likely to be one such women's clothing vendor booth inside that marketplace rather than a business with its own storefront, website, Google Business Profile, or independent hours. Painted Tree's own listing (open ~10am-8pm daily, phone 412-326-1100) covers the whole marketplace, not any single booth, and individual booths are not separately listed with verifiable photos, hours, or accessibility data. Web and social searches did surface other similarly named but distinct Pennsylvania businesses (Threads Boutique in Wrightstown/@threadsboutique.pa near Philadelphia; Threads & Things consignment in McKees Rocks; Threads Marketplace in Phoenixville, now closed), none of which is confirmably the intended Pittsburgh "Threads Boutique." Because a FEATURED, truthful-only profile requires verified facts, no photos, hours, accessibility details, or fabricated description are provided here. To confirm, contact Painted Tree Boutiques Homestead directly (412-326-1100) to verify whether a booth called "Threads Boutique" currently operates there, or obtain the operator's own social/website link.

Immigrant-ownedLatino-ownedWomen-owned
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Tombolo Books
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Retail & Shops

Tombolo Books

Tampa, FL

Tombolo Books is St. Petersburg's independent bookstore, open since 2019 in the heart of the Grand Central District at 2153 1st Ave S. We're woman-owned, founded by Alsace Walentine and co-owned by Candice Anderson, and everything about this shop reflects the belief that a great bookstore belongs to its neighborhood. Our name says a lot about who we are. A tombolo is a slender sandbar that connects an island to the mainland, and that's exactly what we hope to be: a bridge between readers, writers, and the community around us. Step through our doors and you'll find warm wooden shelves stacked floor to ceiling with carefully chosen titles, hand-written shelf-talkers pointing you toward staff favorites, and a colorful, sunlit storefront that has become one of St. Pete's most photographed corners. We stock new books across every section, from Florida fiction and literary novels to mystery, science fiction, poetry, and children's stories. We're especially proud to champion books in translation, work from marginalized voices, and titles from small independent presses that the big chains too often overlook. If you're looking for something specific, or just want a recommendation you'd never have found on your own, our booksellers love nothing more than putting the right book in the right hands. Beyond the shelves, Tombolo is a gathering place. We host author events, book club nights, signings, and community conversations that bring readers together throughout the year. Shopping local here means supporting a small business that reinvests in the writers, presses, and neighbors who make St. Petersburg such a vibrant, literary city. Whether you're a longtime local or discovering the Grand Central District for the first time, we invite you to browse a while, chat with our staff, and leave with a stack of books you can't wait to open. Come find your next great read at Tombolo Books, where every visit connects you to a little more of the world and the community right outside our door.

LGBTQ-owned
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TRUNC
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Retail & Shops

TRUNC

Philadelphia, PA

Trunc is an artisan-made, eco-friendly, and socially conscious shop tucked into Philadelphia's Northern Liberties at 929 N 2nd Street. We are proudly Black, woman, LGBTQ+, and veteran owned, and everything on our shelves reflects the people and values behind it. We believe the things you bring into your home and wear on your body should mean something, so we curate with intention, favoring handcrafted work over the mass-produced and choosing makers whose stories matter as much as their craft. Step inside and you will find a little of everything, all chosen by hand. Our jewelry ranges from sterling silver rings and earrings to one-of-a-kind vintage lace pieces, each with its own character. In home goods you will discover recycled glass charcuterie boards in soft ambers and blushes, handmade serving trays and dishes, candles, and art that carries real local spirit. Our body and skin care shelf is stocked with gentle, thoughtfully formulated goods, and our specialty pantry is where things get fun, with small-batch hot sauces, popcorn, oils, and other treats made by independent producers. What ties it all together is a commitment to sustainability and social good. We seek out sustainably made, upcycled, and eco-friendly products, and we lean toward local artisans, culturally diverse creators, and small businesses whenever we can. Shopping with us is a way to support those makers directly, to keep dollars circulating in creative communities, and to fill your home with pieces that were built to last rather than to be thrown away. Trunc is meant to feel like a discovery. No two visits look quite the same, because our selection shifts with the seasons and with the makers we meet. Whether you are hunting for a gift that says more than a gift card ever could, treating yourself to a piece of handmade jewelry, or picking up a bottle of hot sauce with a story behind it, you will find something here made with care. Come browse, meet the work of artisans from Philadelphia and beyond, and take home something that reflects who you are and what you value. We are glad you found us.

Women-ownedVeteran-ownedLGBTQ-ownedBlack-owned
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Women & Children First
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Retail & Shops

Women & Children First

Chicago, IL

Women & Children First has been a home for readers, writers, and thinkers in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood since 1979. When Ann Christophersen and Linda Bubon founded the store, they were two young feminists frustrated that the books they wanted to read and study, works by and about women, were so hard to find. They built the shelves themselves, stocked them with feminist and children's literature, and set out to create a space where women's voices sat at the center rather than the margins. More than four decades later, that mission still guides everything we do. Today we are one of the largest feminist bookstores in the United States, carrying roughly 30,000 titles across feminist writing, fiction and poetry, children's and young adult books, LGBTQ+ literature, memoir, politics, cookbooks, art, parenting, and more. We hand-sell the books we love and take pride in helping every reader find the next story that will move them. Our children's section, a favorite among Andersonville families, makes up a meaningful share of what we do, because a lifelong love of reading often starts young. We are also a gathering place. Over the years our events have welcomed voices ranging from Gloria Steinem, Margaret Atwood, and Alice Walker to former President Jimmy Carter, alongside countless debut authors reading in public for the first time. Following renovations that added dedicated event and community space, we host readings, book groups, author panels, and neighborhood gatherings throughout the year. Our 40th anniversary block party filled the street with the community that has sustained us. Under longtime owners Lynn Mooney and Sarah Hollenbeck, we remain proudly independent and deeply rooted in the values we opened with: amplifying women authors, championing intellectual freedom, and building community around books. Whether you are browsing for an afternoon, bringing a child to storytime, or joining us for an evening with a favorite writer, you will find a welcoming, accessible space at 5233 N. Clark Street. Stop in, say hello, and let us help you find your next great read. We have been keeping women and children first for a long time, and we are glad you are here.

Women-ownedLGBTQ-owned
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