Get your hot tea and grab your coziest chair. If you’re ready to wiggle your bookworm while supporting local biz, check out these 18 bookstores across the Kansas City Metro.
Aya Coffee and Books, currently online only| Sip and sit with a community of book lovers during regular book club discussions. A new location coming soon.
Afterward Tavern & Shelves, 1834 Grand Blvd., KCMO | This bookstore doubles as a bar and offers a “Books & Booze” membership.
Bliss Books & Wine, 3502 Gillham Rd., KCMO | Read, sip, and relax while enjoying recommended book + wine pairings.
BLK + BRWN., 104 W. 39th St., KCMO | This store focuses on amplifying the stories of Black + brown communities.
Blue & Grey Book Shoppe, 106 E. Walnut St., Independence, MO | Stop in for new, used, and rare books as well as doll clothes, gifts, and fine art.
Flagship Books, 510 N. 6th St., KCK | It’s a quaint neighborhood bookstore located in Strawberry Hill.
Glem Books, 35 Coventry Ct., Prairie Village, KS | This is a general antiquarian bookshop. It opened in 1933 and evaluates collections.
Helianthus Books, various locations | Catch this pop-up book shop around town, curating books that celebrate communities of color, marginalized folx, and Spanish language books.
KD’s Books, 241 SE Main St., Lee’s Summit, MO | Established in 1990, this primarily children’s bookstore has been a staple in Lee’s Summit for 30+ years.
The Learning Tree, various locations | A children’s bookstore full of books and educational gifts for children of all ages.
Monarch Books & Gifts, 7713 W. 151st St., Overland Park, KS | Find both adult literature and children’s books at this indie book shop.
Prospero’s Books & Media, 1839 W. 39th St., KCMO | Book selling since 1977, this shop fills three floors to the brim.
Rainy Day Books, 2796 W. 53rd St., Fairway, KS | This small shop has served the community since 1975.
Read It Again Books, 1111 S. Broadway, Oak Grove, MO | This biz sells used books looking for a new home.
The Redux Society, 215 Southwest Blvd., KCMO | Stop in for a Salsa dancing lesson or light saber fight, leave with books and new friends.
Steel’s Used Books, 7313 N. Oak Trfy., Gladstone, MO | Its specialties include philosophical, vintage sci-fi, and rare + out of print titles.
Willa’s Books & Vinyl, 5547 Troost Ave., KCMO | It boasts of a large collection of African-American books as well as vintage vinyls.
Wise Blood Booksellers, 4045 Broadway Blvd., KCMO | This little bookshop sells books of every genre and is open seven days a week.