Get your hot tea and grab your coziest chair. If you’re ready to wiggle your bookworm while supporting local biz, check out these 20+ bookstores across the Kansas City metro.
Afterward Tavern & Shelves, 1834 Grand Blvd., KCMO | This bookstore bar offers a monthly membership pairing your next read with with two hand-selected bottles of wine or a unique bottle of liquor.
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 cozy shop amplifies the stories of Black and brown communities, with an online catalog of every book you’ve ever seen in-store.
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.
Glenn 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, 4004 W 83rd St, Prairie Village, KS | 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.
Monstera’s Books, 7930 Floyd St., Overland Park, KS | Leaf through pages and browse the fronds at this duo bookstore-plant shop.
Prospero’s Books & Media, 1800 W. 39th St., KCMO | Book selling since 1977, this shop fills three floors to the brim.
Rainy Day Books, 2706 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, 1280 Liberty St., KCMO | Stop in for a Salsa dancing lesson or light saber fight, leave with books and new friends.
Seven Stories, 12115 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS | Owned and operated by a local teen, this petite shop is a powerhouse of local love — check out it book club + event offerings, like its returning Bedazzling Breaks.
Steel’s Used Books, 7313 N. Oak Trfy., Gladstone, MO | Its specialties include philosophical, vintage sci-fi, and rare + out of print titles.
Turnsol Books, 1664 Broadway Blvs., KCMO | The worker-owned bookstore, coffee shop, maker space, and art space has been featured in the newsletter before for its furry shopkeeps.
Under the Cover, 607 E 31st St., KCMO | Spicy or sweet, find your fantasy at this specialty romance-only bookseller.
Willa’s Books & Vinyl, 5547 Troost Ave., KCMO | Though the shop has officially closed, the Kansas City Defender is taking over this 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.
