6 U.S. Bookstores Committed to Giving Back

You’ve likely heard that reading is facing challenges in this country, and it’s easy to see why: Knowledge is power, after all. Fortunately, a dedicated group of activist-owned bookstores, from Asheville to Seattle, is championing the cause. Some provide community spaces and literacy workshops, while others donate proceeds to vital initiatives or elevate the voices of underrepresented communities often overlooked by the literary world. Next time you find yourself in one of these cities, make sure to visit, chat with the staff, and explore the shelves—or consider making your next online purchase from their stores.

Firestorm Books, Asheville

This North Carolina bookstore is operated by a queer, feminist, anarchist collective dedicated to supporting marginalized communities throughout southern Appalachia. They host a range of events, including political prisoner letter-writing nights and informational sessions on unionizing. Recently, they launched the impressive Banned Books Back! initiative. When a Florida school district banned 47 books on topics like racism, colonialism, and transgender rights, Firestorm rescued 22,500 copies from destruction. They are now shipping them back out, free of charge, to students in Florida, with plans to assist students in other book-banning states (Texas, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina). If you can’t make it to Asheville soon, you can donate here to help cover shipping costs or purchase a “Trash Fascism, Not Books” benefit sticker ($10), featuring a Maus-reading opossum illustrated by tattoo artist Des Revol.

Housing Works Bookstore, New York City

Situated on Crosby Street in Soho, this retail branch of the Housing Works nonprofit aims to tackle the homelessness and HIV/AIDS crises in the city. The staff consists of volunteers, and nearly everything on display—from books to records—is donated, allowing 100 percent of the profits to support initiatives like advocacy, housing, community healthcare, and LGBTQ+ youth programs. Besides the bookstore, Housing Works generates funds through its nine thrift stores, and in December 2022, it launched New York State’s first licensed recreational cannabis dispensary, featuring products from LGBTQ+-, BIPOC-, and women-led brands, who have faced disproportionate impacts from criminalization.

Birchbark Books, Minneapolis

This cherished neighborhood bookstore is owned by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louise Erdrich, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians; her grandfather served as the tribal chairman. She envisioned it as a center for the “Indigirati,” whom she describes as “literate Indigenous people who have survived over half a millennium on this continent.” The shop is thoughtfully assembled from salvaged materials and offers a wide range of books, from Native language revitalization and Indigenous history to cookbooks by notable figures like Minnesota’s “Sioux Chef,” Sean Sherman. It also sells crafts, including red willow baskets, star quilts, bead-and-quill earrings, and birdhouses made from reclaimed barn wood. Many titles found here are rarely available in other bookstores, and the store is dedicated to helping schools enrich their libraries with works by Indigenous authors.

Open Books, Chicago

Chicago’s first and largest nonprofit bookstore receives around 1.5 million donated books each year, with all proceeds from sales supporting literacy programs both in-store and in local schools. These programs include participatory storytime for pre-readers, one-on-one reading mentorships for elementary students, and book grants for all ages. Since its inception in 2006, Open Books has expanded to three locations in the West Loop, Pilsen, and Logan Square, recently opening a new branch in North Lawndale where all children's books are free, and adult books are offered on a pay-what-you-want basis. If you can’t visit the Windy City soon, you can make a donation through the shop’s website.

The Salt Eaters Bookshop, Inglewood, California

Recognizing a void in the L.A. literary scene, Asha Grant launched this feminist indie bookstore, focusing on works by and about Black women, girls, femmes, and nonbinary individuals. Named after the novel by activist Toni Cade Bambara, the shop is aptly located on Queen Street in Inglewood. Its interior is designed to be inviting, featuring repurposed church pews, handmade quilts, and vibrant pink wallpaper patterned after Zora Neale Hurston. Beyond being a community hub, Salt Eaters hosts an array of author talks, listening events, documentary screenings, and workshops covering topics like small-business taxes and self-care. Don’t miss the Chat & Chew series, which merges a book club with a themed meal crafted by Hazel Powers, a home cook, doula, and sociologist of Gullah Geechee heritage.

Left Bank Books, Seattle

Nestled in the bustling Pike Place Market, this radical bookshop celebrated its 50th anniversary of collective ownership last year. It’s a must-visit in one of only two UNESCO Cities of Literature in the United States (the other being Iowa City). The shelves feature zines and books on topics such as anarchism, political philosophy, gender studies, and contemporary poetry, including works published by Left Bank’s in-house publishing arm. The store also supports the Books to Prisoners initiative, which sends reading materials to those incarcerated, aiming to break the cycle of recidivism and encourage personal growth through literacy. Its event calendar includes open mic nights for queer and trans poets of color and discussions with figures like feminist historian Angela Hume, whose new book Deep Care explores activists who provided abortions before Roe v. Wade.