Pittsburgh has multiple indie bookstores that each have their own distinct charms. Despite the rise of audiobooks and e-readers, these stores are thriving.
City Books has sold both new and used books for almost 40 years. First opened in 1984 on the South Side, the bookstore was bought by current owner Arlan Hess in 2015, then relocated to Galveston Avenue on the North Side the next year.
Hess took over ownership of the bookstore because it seemed like a natural fit with her love of literature.
“I decided to be a bookseller mostly because books and the written word have consumed my entire life. After 17 years, I decided to leave teaching. It was the same year that City Books went up for sale. I didn’t know what else I was qualified for, really, but I knew I didn’t want Pittsburgh’s oldest existing bookstore to disappear. I understood books, obviously. Business, not so much. But, I learned on the job. I tell people my learning curve was a sheer cliff,” said Hess.
Despite Hess’s worries, City Books is thriving in Pittsburgh and beyond.
“I describe the shop as old-world charm with modern customer service. It has a vintage feel, but we can order any title, new or used, and we are on social media channels (@citybookspgh) wherever the Internet can be found,” she said.
The bookstore is extremely popular outside of Pittsburgh thanks to their TikTok account. Their multiple social media channels allow them to have a clear idea of who their demographic is through analytics, and this helps them build their selection. Hess has made the business her own through curating books she loves and featuring groups who have been historically excluded from bookstore shelves, such as BIPOC, AAPI and LGBTQ+ authors. “Every independent bookstore, especially a used bookstore, takes on the character of the person or persons who curates the shop,” said Hess. She also said the bookstore’s inventory changes based on what people are bringing in. This forces her to change the visual look of the bookstore, which might allow visitors to discover new titles they hadn’t seen before.
Another unique aspect of City Books is that Hess can find almost any used book, even if it’s not in print. “I especially love those kinds of challenges,” she said.
Hess loves connecting with customers and recommending books she thinks they’d love. She believes that’s what sets indie booksellers apart from chain stores.
“If someone stops shopping on Amazon, or at a big box store, management will never notice. But, if a customer stops shopping at a mom and pop store, we feel it and we will ask for you by name,” said Hess.
Riverstone Books, a newer indie bookstore on the scene, first opened their McCandless Crossing location in October 2017. The business blossomed, and this allowed owner Barbara Jeremiah to open a second location in Squirrel Hill in June 2021.
Jeremiah said she felt the absence of a local bookstore when Borders closed in 2011 and wanted to fill that gap.
“The lack of a local bookstore was a problem for me. Independent bookstores supplement the great services libraries offer and after owning a bookstore in another area, McCandless Crossing was an ideal location to bring back a bookstore to the North Hills,” Jeremiah said.
Jeremiah curates her store based on what her staff and customers love. She also wants to promote new authors whom people may not know. Her store features a large selection filled with a variety of genres from mystery to fantasy to romance and more.
“Our readers are as diverse as our hometown, and we want anyone who comes to Riverstone to be able to find a book that they can connect with,” she said.
Riverstone Books hosts a variety of events, including toddler story times, monthly cookbook clubs, ’sip and stitch’ craft evenings and author talks. Their recent expansion allowed them to enlarge their offerings and helped them attract more visiting authors. They have an event room at their Squirrel Hill location that allows them to host parties as well. They’ve had birthday parties and even bachelorette parties celebrate with them.
Riverstone Books also works with local school librarians, teachers and PTAs to bring book fairs at both elementary and middle schools to life. They bring books from many different publishers and make sure there’s a wide selection for students. Included as well are additional items, such as art supplies, puzzles and games. They staff the fairs, take special orders from students and deliver directly to the students at their schools. Jeremiah noted that it’s a terrific fundraising opportunity for schools.
Community is at the heart of Riverstone Books. Jeremiah believes it’s the best part of owning a local bookstore.
“We have the best customers in the world – folks who like to come in and talk about books, who appreciate having a bookstore in their neighborhood and give us the opportunity to connect them with a new book.”
MORE INDIE BOOKSTORES TO VISIT:
City of Asylum-North Side
White Whale-Bloomfield
The Little Green Bookstore-Zelienople
Penguin Bookshop-Sewickley