Home » Independent Bookstores

  • Search Bookstores

  • or Filter by City

  • Reset

Independent Bookstores in North Carolina

NewPages.com guide to the best North Carolina indie bookstores

Independent bookstores in North Carolina are sorted by City as you scroll through. If your favorite indie bookstore is missing, please contact us.

If you are the owner of an indie bookstore, you can submit a free enhanced listing for your bookstore in our Guide here.

Bagatelle Books is Asheville’s newest second hand bookshop. We are located in historic West Asheville, adjoined by a cafe and a florist. We buy and sell used & rare books, so please stop by!

Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar

Open daily selling books by the thousands and wines/beers/coffees by the glass. Please visit us at our website.

Grumbliest used bookstore in downtown Asheville. Been here and open every single day for night on 28 years.

Firestorm Books
  • Firestorm Books
  • 1022 Haywood Road
  • City: Asheville
  • Phone: (828) 255-8115
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: Alternative/Political, Feminist, LGBTQ+
  • Sidelines: Coffee/Tea, Magazines, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Website

At 1022 Haywood Road you’ll find a unique blend of off-beat, underground, and independently published materials. We carry titles by AK Press, PM Press, Chelsea Green Publishing, Feral House, Autonomedia, Pioneers Press, and many others. Additionally, we host a wide range of events, workshops, film screenings, fundraisers, and presentations.

Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe

Founded in 1982 by Emöke B’Racz, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe is the region’s largest locally-owned independent bookstore. We bring books, coffee, authors, and readers together in an environment that nurtures community, diversity, and the joy of reading. Find us on YouTube.

  • Beach Book Mart
  • 1010 W Fort Macon Rd #11
  • City: Atlantic Beach
  • Phone: (252) 240-5655
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Website

We sell new books, comics, and action figures. We have over 35,000 books for all ages. Come see our large selection of comics and become a subscriber.

Belmont Bookshop
  • Belmont Bookshop
  • 7 North Main St
  • City: Belmont
  • Suburb of: Charlotte, Gastonia
  • Phone: (704) 461-8060
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Literary, Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • Sidelines: Curiosities, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Website

We are Belmont Bookshop, a community-focused bookshop and gathering space located on historic Main Street in Belmont, NC about 15 miles south of Charlotte in Gaston County. We are dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations and learned experiences together. Here are a few of the principles that we believe in and guide how we do business: know and remember your name and recommend books we think you will love and remember.

Sassafras on Sutton

  • Sassafras on Sutton
  • 108 Sutton Ave.
  • City: Black Mountain
  • Phone: (828) 419-0677
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Café/Food, Gifts
  • Twitter
  • Website

Sassafras on Sutton is a bookstore, cafe, & gift shop in downtown Black Mountain, NC.

Highland Books

  • Highland Books
  • 36 W. Main St.
  • City: Brevard
  • Phone: (828) 884-2424
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Magazines
  • Facebook
  • Website

Highland Books is going strong after 35 years in Brevard, NC! We feature real books for real people and real kids, and we host author events. And now, we’re proud to be a Ten Thousand Villages Alliance Store, featuring Fair Trade crafts in our bookstore.

With 3 floors of books and over 100,000 titles to explore and discover, you’ll love visiting Persnickety Books in Burlington NC.

As Burnsville’s locally owned independent bookstore, we stock a passel of books about the region, from fact to fantastic fiction, poetry, foodways, byways, and more.

One of Hatteras Island’s most charming shops and its only full-service bookstore.

  • Island Book Shop
  • 100 N. Lake Park Blvd.
  • City: Carolina Beach
  • Phone: (910) 707-0504
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Facebook

At Island Book Shop we carry a combination of new and used books. We also offer limited computer access, and both fax and copy services. As for books; if we don’t have it we can get it. Come by and check us out.

  • Bull's Head Bookshop
  • UNC Student Stores, Daniels Bldg., 207 South Rd.
  • City: Chapel Hill
  • Phone: (919) 962-5060

Epilogue is an independent bookstore and Spanish-style chocolatería that aims to foster community in the heart of Chapel Hill. It is a place for people to gather, whether to cultivate new ideas, learn old ones, or escape into a welcoming atmosphere.

  • Flyleaf Books
  • 752 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
  • City: Chapel Hill
  • Phone: (919) 942-7373
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Website

Chapel Hill’s independent bookstore: new and used books, a colorful and well-stocked kids section, and events being added to our calendar daily.

  • Book Buyers
  • 1306 The Plaza
  • City: Charlotte
  • Phone: (704) 344-8611
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Facebook

We’re a used bookstore at the corner of Central Avenue and The Plaza. We specialize in subjects including: history, art & architecture, classic literature, and fiction. We also have a store cat named Page; she’s a little sensitive about her weight.

Book Rack

  • Book Rack
  • 10110 Johnston Rd. Ste. 5
  • City: Charlotte
  • Phone: (704) 544-8006
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Facebook

We’re a used bookstore in South Charlotte with 50,000+ books. We also carry a limited selection of new books (including school reading list titles). We do trade-ins for store credit toward used books.

Julia's Cafe & Books

Julia’s Café & Books is a division of Habitat for Humanity Charlotte. Julia’s exists not only to support Habitat, but also to create a place where the community can get a sustainable, conscientious cup of delicious coffee, and find a huge assortment of affordably priced like-new books. We aim to be the best used book store in Charlotte!

Park Road Books

For forty years Park Road Books has been the cornerstone of independent bookstores in Charlotte, North Carolina. Frequent recipient of Creative Loafing’s Best in Charlotte Readers’ Pick award, Park Road Books prides itself on finding the right book for the right person. Stop in seven days a week to discover your next favorite!

Troubadour Booksellers
  • Troubadour Booksellers
  • 1721-7C Sardis Rd N
  • City: Charlotte
  • Phone: (704) 443-7076
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Website

Troubadour Booksellers is a community-centered independent bookstore in East Charlotte, North Carolina. Selling a carefully curated collection of new general interest books, Troubadour Booksellers serves as a welcoming and inclusive community space for East Charlotte residents and visitors alike. 

  • Goldberry Books
  • 12 Union St. S.
  • City: Concord
  • Phone: (980) 439-5050
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Facebook
  • Website

Independent bookstore in Concord, NC – selling new & used

Read ’em & Weep is an independent bookshop in Currituck, North Carolina, offering a large inventory of used books in all genres.

Main Street Books

Main Street Books is an independent bookstore located in the heart of historic Davidson.

  • Duck's Cottage
  • 1240 Duck Rd.
  • City: Duck
  • Phone: (252) 261-5510
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Coffee/Tea
  • Facebook
  • Website

Duck’s most popular coffee shop and the Outer Banks’s most independent bookstore under the same roof!

Island Bookstore is an independent, three-store chain on the Northern Outer Banks, here to serve readers!

Used bookstore with used books and music, new comics and graphic novels.

Golden Fig Books

Used, new, and children’s books at 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd in the same building as Guglhupf!

  • Letters Bookshop
  • 116 W. Main St.
  • City: Durham
  • Phone: (919) 973-2573
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Twitter
  • Website

Durham’s downtown bookstore specializing in used, new, and children’s books!

Durham’s locally owned, independent bookstore since 1976. Selling new and used books of all genres as well as magazines, note cards, gifts, and more!

Rofhiwa strives to reflect the expansiveness of the black imagination. We value books as repositories for collective knowledge.

  • Garden of Readin'
  • 103 E. King St.
  • City: Edenton
  • Phone: (252) 482-7323
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards
  • Facebook

With a great and growing collection of gently-used and well-priced books, CDs, and DVDs, the Garden of Readin’ is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Antiquarian and rare books, plus regional interest new books, cards, and gifts. Relax, browse, and enjoy a pot of organic, loose-leaf tea or locally-roasted coffee. Free Wi-Fi. Recycle your books, DVDs & CDs with us for store credit.

Page After Page
  • Page After Page
  • 104 S. McMorrine St.
  • City: Elizabeth City
  • Phone: (252) 335-7243
  • Type: New books, Primarily new with some used books, Rare books, Out-of-print books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Crime/Mystery, Literary, YA
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Website

Welcome to our bookstore located in the Historic District of downtown Elizabeth City, NC! We have a full selection of New & Used Books of all genres and a full selection of toys and crafts for all ages. We have stationery, cross pens, fountain pens, and pencils as well as art supplies for adults and children. We also host ‘The Candy Bar’ which has a great selection of ‘penny’ candy, fresh made-to-order drinks, cotton candy, and FUDGE! Come see us!! We would love to meet you!!

Emerald Isle Books is a family owned indie bookstore. Established in 1989 it has been a destination for many readers in the Southern Outer Banks.

We’re a downtown bookstore with a good selection of classics, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction books of local interest. We also carry art by local artists.

Cozy and Content is a boutique book and vinyl record store in Franklin, North Carolina.

A Novel Escape

  • A Novel Escape
  • 60 East Main Street
  • City: Franklin
  • Phone: (828) 369-7942
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards
  • Facebook
  • Website

Books Unlimited is an independently owned, local bookstore. We offer a wide selection of new and used books as well as a variety of cards, calendars, and gift items.

John Neal, Bookseller

Since 1981 John Neal, Bookseller has supplied calligraphers, lettering artists, illuminators, bookbinders, type and papercraft enthusiasts worldwide with books, tools, and materials. We also publish Letter Arts Review, a full-color journal on the lettering arts, and Bound & Lettered, a quarterly magazine on making books and making letters.

McKay's Greensboro

Over 10,000 square feet of used books, movies, music, videogames, electronics, gifts, action figures, textbooks, and more! Located on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Greensboro’s premier independent bookstore with a lively café that offers coffee, wine, beer, and some of the Piedmont’s most delicious food. The bookstore offers a wide selection of approximately 10,000 hand-picked quality titles that will impress even the most learned reader and Scuppernong Books also displays and sells art from some of the region’s leading artists. 

Wonderland Bookshop

A local, independent bookshop specializing in children’s, middle grade and young adult new books.

Off the Wall Books n Cafe
  • Off the Wall Books n Cafe
  • 2000 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 400
  • City: Hendersonville
  • Phone: (828) 435-2297
  • Type: New books, Used books, Rare books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Crime/Mystery, Regional, YA
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Café/Food, Coffee/Tea, Gifts, Puzzles
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Website

Off the Wall Books N Cafe provides a comfortable and cozy atmosphere for people of all ages to browse and find books they’ll love. We offer an anonymous book-ordering option, for those who are tired of being constantly surveilled, and we welcome everyone to be themselves in our space. In addition to books, we sell coffee, local pastries from Mini Batch Bakery, cold beverages, child-friendly snacks, and marvelous creations from local artists!

A wide range of used and new books, including fiction, poetry, art, history, religion, reference, games,cooking, natural history and North Carolina subjects. The store hosts readings and signings. Like the Paris store, there is a writer’s guest house for visiting authors. We will order any books that are not available in the shop.

  • Purple Crow Books
  • 109 W King St.
  • City: Hillsborough
  • Phone: (919) 732-1711
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Facebook
  • Website

Coffee Shop & Quality Used Books & More! We carry New, Old & Collectable Books, and More

Tybrisa Books
  • Tybrisa Books
  • 210 Main St. NW
  • City: Lenoir
  • Suburb of: Boone, Hickory
  • Phone: (828) 572-7475
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Crime/Mystery, Literary, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Curiosities, Gifts, Puzzles, Stationery
  • Events: Author Signings
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Website

Established in 2018, Tybrisa Books is Western North Carolina’s one and only $1 Bookstore, with over 25,000 books in stock, all for $1 or less.  We also carry new books by local authors, art and jewelry from local artisans, and lots of great gift ideas!

Putting the right books in the right hands at the right time. Celebrating five years of eclectic independent bookselling in 2017!

  • The Book Lady
  • 3513 Hwy 74
  • City: Monroe
  • Phone: (704) 282-0646
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Facebook

Used and new books for sale. We trade books for store credit. Come in, browse, and have a cup of coffee and donut on us while you shop or just visit!

Dee Gee's Gifts & Books

Located on the Morehead City Waterfront, Dee Gee’s is one of the oldest businesses in Carteret County and the oldest continually-operating bookstore in North Carolina. Dee Gee’s Books and Gifts has been a mainstay for locals and tourists alike.

Adventure Bound Books

Our goal is to be your favorite, local independent bookstore for Burke and surrounding counties by getting to know our customers and your reading interests. In addition to books, we offer book-related gifts and educational items as well as author events, opportunities for book clubs to meet, and space for local writers to come and create.

Thornwell Books is a bookstore and coffee shop in downtown Morganton, NC.

Focused on selling new books, special editions, and children’s books and gifts.

Cleary’s is a brand new, woman-owned independent bookstore located on historic main street in Mount Holly, North Carolina.

Local indie and used bookstore located in New Bern, N.C. We specialize in local authors and artists.

Nestled among live oaks and cedar trees in a charming historic home built in 1898, Deepwater Pottery & Books to be Red come together as the result of a lifelong dream. Located on Ocracoke Island.

Given Tufts Bookshop

Given Tufts Book Shop in Pinehurst sells high quality gently used books. This 1934 Post Office building has been re-purposed and renamed (Given Outpost) to sell books by day and host library-sponsored events and community workshops in the evening.  A unique historical building that is available to rent for rehearsal dinners and special events. Books sales and rental proceeds support the local free library and museum – Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives.

  • McIntyre's Books
  • 220 Market St, Fearrington Village
  • City: Pittsboro
  • Phone: (919) 542-3030
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Newspapers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Website

Full service independent bookstore with year round author events.

Beow’s Books and Brews is a bookstore, coffee shop, and bar that seeks to cultivate the great conversation.

Blackbird Books & Coffee in Raleigh, NC is where literature comes to life, coffee connects us with each other, and creativity flourishes.

Dog-Eared Books

  • Dog-Eared Books
  • 4027 Atlantic Ave.
  • City: Raleigh
  • Phone: (984) 200-2489
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts, Newspapers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Website

All of our books are $1 or less! We have thousands upon thousands of books to chose from. We also have authors in the store every weekend!

Used and new books, records, and comic books.

Quail Ridge Books

Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh’s award-winning independent bookstore, specializes in southern & children’s lit. We hold many author events for all interests.

  • Reader's Corner
  • 3201 Hillsborough St.
  • City: Raleigh
  • Phone: (919) 828-7024
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • Facebook

We pay cash for used and rare books, vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays, and comic books. We do a good business in science fiction and fantasy, Southern history, cookbooks, engineering, philosophy, and math, among many other subjects. Give us a call and we will be happy to look for something on the shelf for you.

An independent bookstore in downtown Raleigh.

  • Books and Beans
  • 1151 Falls Rd.
  • City: Rocky Mount
  • Phone: (252) 544-9890
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Café/Food, Coffee/Tea
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

A gathering place for lovers of books and coffee.

South Main Book Co.

An independent book store in the heart of Historic Downtown Salisbury.

We sell preloved/new books and much more. We offer compact pop-up events. In store community events.

Azio Media: Books, Music & More
  • Azio Media: Books, Music & More
  • 280 Holden Beach Rd at The Gingerbread House
  • City: Shallotte
  • Suburb of: Wilmington and Myrtle Beach
  • Phone: (910) 755-3322
  • Type: New books, Used books, Rare books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Crime/Mystery, Literary, Regional
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Curiosities, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • Website

Come sit on our large front porch with a cold soft drink and shop a locally owned independent book and music shop, located in a historic 120-year-old gingerbread-style house. We carry new & vintage vinyl records, new & used books, CDs, tapes, vintage media, plus rock art made from recycled vintage vinyl records. We are generalist antiquarians dealing in books, vinyl records, and a selection of antiques & ephemera.

The Country Bookshop

The Country Bookshop is located in historic downtown Southern Pines, North Carolina. We are known for small-town atmospere, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Our mascot, Boomer, was designed by local legend Glen Rounds! Please check out our website for more information.

  • Pelican Bookstore
  • 1780 Chandlers Ln Unit 10
  • City: Sunset Beach
  • Phone: (910) 579-8770
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Newspapers
  • Facebook
  • Website

If you miss the small intimate bookstores of yesteryear, then look no farther. The Pelican Bookstore is a place where the employees have actually read the books, not just the reviews. And if you stop by enough we’ll probably start to remember your name. We carry best selling hard backs, trade and mass market paperbacks, used books, children’s books, local authors, jigsaw puzzles, and greeting cards. We even have maps!

  • Sugar Island
  • 206 N. Topsail Dr.
  • City: Surf City
  • Phone: (910) 254-1110
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Café/Food, Coffee/Tea
  • Facebook
  • Website

New and used bookstore, local eggs, honey, seasonal produce, art, HOUSE roasted coffee, specialty lattes, housemade baked goods!

City Lights Bookstore

  • City Lights Bookstore
  • 3 E Jackson St.
  • City: Sylva
  • Phone: (828) 586-9499
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Regional
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Coffee/Tea, Curiosities, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Magazines, Newspapers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Website

Selling new & used books, gifts, journals, maps, and more in Sylva, North Carolina since 1984, and hosting author events. Our neighbors at City Lights Cafe sell coffee and tea in addition to crepes and other tasty treats. Our normal hours are 9 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday, and 10 AM to 3 PM Sunday.

We are a locally owned independent book shop in beautiful Downtown Wake Forest. Hosting author events, book clubs, and more.

  • Pamlico Books
  • 149 N. Market St.
  • City: Washington
  • Phone: (252) 940-1377
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Toys/Games
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Website

Pamlico Books is an independent bookstore serving the community of Washington, North Carolina, on the Pamlico River. New & used books, gifts, toys, games.

We are an independent retail bookstore in Waynesville, North Carolina.

  • Sassafras on Main
  • 196 N. Main St.
  • City: Waynesville
  • Phone: (828) 246-6222
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Facebook
  • Website

Sassafras on Main is an independent bookstore & toy store on Main Street in downtown Waynesville, NC. 10,000 sq ft of magic. Come see us!

We are a small used book shop that has over 50,000 titles in a wide range of fiction and nonfiction categories. Stop by to say hello & explore the shelves!

McAllister & Solomon is an open shop specializing in nice copies of better books in a variety of fields. Most of our stock of 20,000+ volumes are not currently catalogued however we welcome want lists.

Our Iconic Family Owned Bookstore connecting good people with good books since 1982.

  • Papercut Books
  • 200 Market St. Unit 100
  • City: Wilmington
  • Phone: (910) 660-8607
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Facebook
  • Website

A sweet little bookshop in downtown Wilmington, NC. We sell new and used books along with curated gifts.

  • Pomegranate Books
  • 4418 Park Ave.
  • City: Wilmington
  • Phone: (910) 452-1107
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards
  • Facebook
  • Website

Independent bookstore in Wilmington, North Carolina. New and used books, cards, and gifts.

We are a used bookstore located in Wilmington, NC right off of Market Street. We carry a variety of used books anywhere from romance to textbooks.

Welcome bibliophiles of all ages to Book Ferret – a new & used bookstore in Winston-Salem, NC. If you love perusing books new & old, if you enjoy the company of bookish folk, you are welcome here.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks is a literary arts nonprofit that cultivates community by bringing people of all ages together with books and authors who educate, inspire, challenge, and entertain.

  • The Eclectible Shop
  • 1036 W. Northwest Blvd.
  • City: Winston-Salem
  • Phone: (336) 722-8655
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts
  • Website

3,000 square feet packed with over 20,000 old and used books including fiction, nonfiction in all categories, and ephemera. In addition, we have lots of vintage vinyl and framed art finds along with a variety of unusual antique decorative and gift items.

Over 10,000 square feet of used books, music, DVDs, videogames, textbooks, gifts, electronics, and more, located near the Thruway Shopping Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.