Discover an Independent Black Owned Bookstore Near You
Add a Black-owned bookstore to this list. Read about AALBC’s Founder’s favorite 10 Bookstores.View this List by Bookstore Name, on a List, or on a Map
12 Bookstores Found in New York
Adanne Bookshop
115 Ralph Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11221
Store Hours: Wed – Sat: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Mon & Tue Closed
Owner/Proprietor: Darlene Okpo
Phone: 443-507-8630
Stored Opened in: 2021
Adanne Bookshop is a Brooklyn-based bookstore celebrating Black and African diaspora literature, art, and culture. We offer a curated selection of books, workshops, and events that inspire, educate, and empower our community. At Adanne, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling and strive to create a welcoming space for readers and writers to connect and grow.
Adanne Bookshop Information Updated: 2024-11-25
Blenheim Hill Books
698 Main Street, Suite A
Hobart, NY 13788
Store Hours:
Owner/Proprietor: Cheryl Clarke Barbara Balliet &
Phone: 607-538-9222
Stored Opened in: 2005
Blenheim Hill Books Information Updated: 2017-03-10
Cafe con Libros
724 Prospect Place
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Store Hours: Tue to Fri 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sun 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Kalima DeSuze
Phone: 347-460-2838
Stored Opened in: 2017
Cafe con Libros (coffee with books) is an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop. Through our choice of books, programming and great coffee, we endeavor to create a vibrant community space where everyone; specifically female identified folx, feel centered, affirmed and celebrated.
Cafe con Libros Information Updated: 2018-02-02
Cups and Books
2024 Bedford Ave
New York, NY 11226E
Store Hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor:
Phone: (718) 484-7628
Stored Opened in: 2020
Cups and Books is a black family owned and operated, independent cafe bookstore located in the heart of Brooklyn, NY within (Prospect Lefferts-Gardens).
Cups and Books Information Updated: 2023-03-08
Grandma’s Place
84 West 120th Street
Harlem, NY 10027
Store Hours: Tue - Thu: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm, Fri - Sat: 10:30 am - 8:30 am, Sun: 10:30 am - 6:30 pm
Owner/Proprietor: Grandma Dawn
Phone: (212) 360-6776
Stored Opened in: 2009
Harlem's Premier Children's Book and Toy Store
Grandma’s Place Information Updated: 2015-01-25
Liz’s Book Bar
315 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Store Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Maura Cheeks
Phone: 718-210-2222
Stored Opened in: 2024
Liz’s Book Bar carries 4,000 titles of literary fiction, romance, philosophy, biography, children’s books and more. We serve coffee from Black Acres Roastery, tea from SerendipiTea, and pastries from Bien Cuit. In addition to our coffee and tea menu, we serve exceptional wines from France and Italy and beers from local breweries.
Liz’s Book Bar Information Updated: 2025-03-19
Mood Makers Books & Art Gallery Village Gate Square
274 N. Goodman St.
Rochester, NY 14607
Store Hours: Mon - Sat 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Closed Sun
Owner/Proprietor:
Phone: 877.223.1730
Stored Opened in: 1994
Mood Makers Books & Art Gallery Village Gate Square Information Updated: 2014-03-19
Sister’s Uptown Bookstore
1942 Amsterdam Avenue (at 156th Street)
New York, NY 10032
Store Hours: Mon - Fri: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sat: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Sun 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Janifer P. Wilson
Phone: 212-862-3680
Stored Opened in: 2000
African-centered, homework help, internet, lectures, sign language classes, spoken word poetry, theatrical productions, yoga
Sister’s Uptown Bookstore Information Updated: 2014-03-19
Taylor & Co. Books
1021 Cortelyou Rd
Brooklyn, NY 11218
Store Hours: Mon Closed, Tue - Sat 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, Sun 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Owner/Proprietor:
Phone: (347) 425-7770
Stored Opened in: 2022
Taylor & Co. Books is a black-owned, family-run shop for new and used books, comics, and gifts. Not since the venerable Mostly Books closed in the late 90s has Brooklyn's Ditmas Park had a serviceable bookstore. Now, Taylor & Co. Books is here to supply your literary needs, feed your intellectual curiosities, and provide a neighborhood space where all are welcome and cared for.
Taylor & Co. Books Information Updated: 2023-07-20
The Lit. Bar
131 Alexander Avenue (btwn 134th St. & Bruckner Blvd)
Bronx, NY 10454
Store Hours: Sun & Mon 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tues through Sat 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Noëlle Santos
Phone: (347) 955-3610
Stored Opened in: 2019
The Lit. Bar Information Updated: 2019-08-02
Word Up: Community Bookshop - Libreria Comunitaria
2113 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10032
Store Hours: Tues - Fri 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sat 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sun 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Veronica Liu
Phone: (347) 688-4456
Stored Opened in: 2013
Word Up: Community Bookshop - Libreria Comunitaria Information Updated: 2014-03-19
Zawadi Books
1382 Jefferson Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14208
Store Hours: 12:00 - 4:00 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Owner/Proprietor: Kenneth and Sharon Holley
Phone: (716) 903-6740
Stored Opened in: 1976
Sharon and Kenneth Holley opened Harambee Books and Crafts (renamed Zawadi Books in 2010) around 1976 in Buffalo, NY. Zawadi means “gift” in Swahili, one of the purposes of the products we carry. Our mission is to provide the community with a bookstore that specializes in books and materials that are by and about people of African descent.
Zawadi Books Information Updated: 2022-02-06
Read Why This Book Store List is so Important.
Please let us know about any inaccuracies by entering corrections in the comments section at the bottom of this page.