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8 Independent Bookstores To Explore In Northwest Arkansas
NWA Daily's Guide to indie, used, and unique book shops around Northwest Arkansas — Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville
“Don’t cry, shopgirl. Don’t cry.” There are some incredible indie bookshops and used bookstores around Northwest Arkansas to help you escape into your next great read.
Indie Bookstore Day is celebrated on the last Saturday of April each year, but these shops are open year-round, offering thoughtfully curated selections for your reading pleasure.
Several even also host book clubs, writers' nights, and other community engagement events.
So, without further ado, here are eight independent bookstores worth checking out around Northwest Arkansas.
Dickson St. Bookshop
📍 325 W Dickson St, Fayetteville
Founded by Donald Choffel and Charles O'Donnell in 1978, Dickson St. Bookshop is one of the most cherished businesses of the Fayetteville community. Its wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling selection features over 100,000 used and out-of-print books on every subject imaginable. They offer cash or trade credit for clean books in good condition and also list their entire inventory online. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind bookshop. We hope you get lost (in a good way) among its shelves.
Two Friends Bookstore + Cafe
📍 801 SE 8th St, Bentonville
Founded by friends Rachel and Monica in 2018 (sadly, there was no Phoebe available), Two Friends Bookstore + Cafe is your go-to Bentonville location for book browsing and relaxing with a snack in hand. They carry natural and organic wines, Airship coffee, a rotating selection of beers, and locally made baked goods—along with some flippin’ good sandwiches and cookies.
They host a monthly book club and other events, such as author readings, poetry workshops, children’s story time, etc. Follow their social pages for updates!
Pearl’s Books
📍 28 E Center St, Fayetteville
Founded by Northwest Arkansas natives Daniel and Leah Jordan, Pearl’s is an independent bookstore selling new books and gifts on Center Street, just off the downtown square in Fayetteville. They host several book clubs, writer’s nights, author readings, and more to keep the local literary community active and connected!
Once Upon A Time Books
📍 462 E Henri De Tonti Blvd, Springdale
📍 116 W Central Ave, Bentonville
📍 1336 N College Ave, Fayetteville (coming soon)
Locally owned since 1999, Once Upon A Time Books is a cherished family-owned bookstore with two charming locations in Tontitown and Bentonville (and another coming to Fayetteville). They have an extensive collection of used books, including some really cool first editions in their Book Vault. Their Tontitown location also has a great cafe where you can grab a cup to sip while turning the pages of your newest literary adventure.
Underbrush Books at The Parlour Room
📍 103 W. Walnut St, Rogers
Underbrush Books started in 2021 as a community book club, offering groups for different genres, such as fantasy, horror, and books under 200 pages, etc. In the fall of 2023, they opened The Parlour Room, a new independent bookstore and community gathering space at 103 W Walnut St. in Downtown Rogers. They also offer personalized monthly book boxes for the adventurous reader!
Más Libritos Bookstore
📍 1602 E Robinson Ave, Ste D, Springdale
Más Libritos was established in January 2023 as a pop-up bookstore. The bookstore eventually moved into a permanent location inside Bites & Bowls. It is a Latina-owned and intersectional feminist bookstore of new and used books with an emphasis on the stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Fox & Fable Bookstore
📍 114 E Buchanan, Prairie Grove
Fox & Fable is a small indie bookstore located in Prairie Grove that opened in Mar 2024. They offer a thoughtfully curated selection of new and used books, and the store has great vibes for reading yourself into a bookish afternoon.
Rock Bottom Books
📍 1208 N Garland Ave, Fayetteville
For the comic lovers out there, we have to include Rock Bottom Books! It’s a fun little shop in Fayetteville with an awesome collection of comics, action figures, trade paperbacks, games, and other collectibles.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Library
Remember to check out our local libraries for books, too! Each has a used bookstore operated by supporting nonprofits that raise proceeds for the library.
Read It Again Bookstore - benefitting the Bentonville Public Library
The Friendly Bookstore - benefitting the Rogers Public Library
Friends Bookstore - benefitting the Springdale Library
Friends Bookstore - benefitting the Fayetteville Library