Photo via cityofstpete/Flickr
Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, Florida has become the go-to space for Florida authors to show off their new works and connect with readers.
The experience is even better at a local bookstore.
Luckily for us, the Tampa Bay area has more than a dozen independent and used bookstores, filled with both new and pre-loved treasures.
Editor’s note: Want to support local bookstores without leaving your home? Find your favorites, including the ones below, on Bookshop.org.
Tampa
Oxford Exchange The luxurious, European-style bistro and bookshop is a destination for both locals and visitors. The small bookstore is part of the main entrance to Oxford Exchange and its dark shelves and cover-facing displays allow the books’ colors and titles to pop. The shop also frequently hosts book clubs and author events. 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
Mojo Books and Records The largest indie new and used bookstore in the city, Mojo is known just as much for its book restocks as it is for its solid collection of records for sale. Mojo, which also hosts local music at nighttime, is right down the street from the University of South Florida Tampa campus, so its cafe and stacks are popular among the college-aged youth. 2554 E Fowler Ave., Tampa
Black English Bookstore City Councilwoman Gwen Henderson just opened this indie bookshop with a focus on works by Black authors. The selection in Tampa Heights is 98% African American or Black-authored books with more than half written for children. The educator-turned elected official also aims for the bookstore to be a community event space. 401 E Oak Ave., Tampa
Brandon
Book Corner Tampa Bay Book Corner Tampa Bay has been around for more than 30 years and is a go-to spot for those wanting to hunt for vintage and collectible books. Amid displays of more-than-100-year-old leatherbound tomes and pulp paperbacks you’ll find stacks of classic children’s books and even some of the most popular fantasy and romance books. 728 W Lumsden Rd., Brandon
St. Petersburg
Tombolo Books A community-focused bookstore if there ever was one, Tombolo has become the go-to space for Florida authors to show off their new works and connect with readers. It’s got very artsy St. Pete vibes, and locals love it for that. 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
Wilson’s Book World The oldest bookstore still open in St. Petersburg, Wilson’s is known for its vast, always growing collection of used books for sale. It's in a smaller shop now, but there’s always something interesting to be found in the stacks. Wilson’s alsos get new items every week—from vintage hardcovers to TikTok favorites and comics. 535 16th St. N, St. Petersburg
Books at Park Place Books at Park Place is what most people picture when they think of a local bookshop. It’s small and cozy, but filled wall-to-wall with all genres of books. It also offers a selection of used books and often host author and bookish community events. 6800 Gulfport Blvd. S Suite 113, South Pasadena
Book + Bottle The trendy shop in downtown St. Pete is a bookstore with wine pairings and a wine store where you can also buy books. It’s a popular spot for happy hours, book clubs and wine tastings. 17 6th St. N, St. Petersburg
Pinellas Park
The Book Rescuers The Book Rescuers do what their name implies—rescue books and other mixed media and direct them to new homes. They get new and pre-loved inventory from local shops and libraries as well as donated personal collections. Most of their books cost $1-$3. 10410 66th St. N no. 6, Pinellas Park
Safety Harbor
Portkey Books Possibly the smallest local bookshop in the area, Portkey Books is a one-owner, one-employee store with big heart and love for the Safety Harbor community. Owner Crystel Calderon is always organizing book clubs, author events and now midnight release parties for the most popular reads. 404 Main St., Safety Harbor
Dunedin
Back in the Day Books A go-to spot for Dunedin locals, Back in the Day Books offers a curated selection of new and used books and bookish gifts like t-shirts, bookmarks, mugs and socks. The store will also buy used books and collections by appointment. 355 Main St., Dunedin
Palm Harbor
Book Swap A hidden gem of a bookstore off the busy highway, Book Swap has a large collection of used books and a knowledge staff ready to offer recommendations. As the name implies, it’s also a good local spot to sell and trade your used reads. 32840 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor
Dade City
The Book Shack The family-owned shop has been around for over 30 years and continues to stock new inventory every day. Most of its pre-loved books are 75-90% off the original cover price, and The Book Shack also has a trade-in program. 14145 7th St., Dade City
Port Richey
The Paperback Exchange This shop’s shelves are filled with discounted used books, rare pieces and collectibles and works by local authors. There’s always new inventory posted to social media, and the store’s trade-in program offers up to 50% off used books. The owners are also knowledgeable and supportive of diverse, inclusive reads and efforts to provide safe spaces for the LGBTQ community. 6412 Ridge Rd., Port Richey
Lakeland
Inklings Book Shoppe Soon to be moving to 243 N Florida Ave., Inklings Book Shoppe is a cozy treasure trove of new and used books of all genres—including an entire shelf of indie published books signed by their respective authors. 2120 S Combee Rd., Lakeland
The Unbound Bookery A cozy bungalow got turned into an indie bookshop with antique, vintage, new and used books and collectible editions. The women-owned shop also offers services to help readers find rare and hard-to-find books. 1026 Florida Ave. S, Lakeland
Sarasota
Bookstore 1 The trendy, spacious Bookstore 1 offers all the latest and greatest in new books as well as community events, book clubs and an annual local author book fair. The booksellers also help run a book lovers podcast and newsletter. 117 S Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Book Bazaar The cozy and classic bookstore boasts towering and overstacked shelves and the comforting scent of old books. It’s got a little bit of everything in pre-loved form—from collectible classics to pulp paperbacks. For over 35 years, the Book Bazaar has been “improving Sarasota’s shelf-worth.” 1488 Main St., Sarasota
Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.
Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed
