this post was updated in june 2026!

richmond, virginia has been my hometown for over 15 years now, and i couldn’t love this river city any more. it’s truly the best, home to so many gems, from hiking trails along the james river, to awesome music venues, to the most delicious restaurants, to the CUTEST bookstores full of treasures.

here are 8 of the best bookstores in/near rva:

legend: 🏳️‍🌈= lgbtqia+ owned, 👑= woman owned, 🤎= bipoc-owned

bbgb

👑

📍 3003 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221

i’m a little biased because i know and love the family who owns this sweet shop (i used to babysit their twin girls when they were little and they are now graduating college!!) but it is truly the absolute best spot for young readers and curated picks for adult readers, too. i love jill, the owner, so freaking much and the way she can sell me a massive stack of books just by telling me about her own experiences reading them… she’s the best, best, best bookseller because she’s a true book lover and it’s contagious. this is my most beloved bookstore!

shelf life books

(formerly known as chop suey books!)

📍 2913 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221

it's jam packed of amazing books, used and new alike, organized by genre, and well-priced. i can't leave without an armful of new goodies. upstairs is full of TONS of used books, and downstairs has new releases (and some used ones, too), all arranged by genre. be sure to look for the shop cats, page and mylar! (rip to the og, wonton)

fountain bookstore

👑🏳️‍🌈

📍 1307 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23219

MY Fave forever!!! this shop is quaint and well-stocked, right in the heart of the cobblestone streets of shockoe bottom. their new — larger!! — location is perfect, and hosts awesome author events. love the knowledge of the workers here, and all their events, autographed copies, locally focused featured books, etc!

ilysm books

📍 119 w brookland park blvd, richmond, va 23222

🏳️‍🌈👑🤎

a community-centered bookstore committed to nurturing a safe space for discovery, curiosity and connection.

resist booksellers

📍233 N Sycamore St Suite B, Petersburg, VA 23803

🤎

“We work hard to support readers, dreamers, activists, and book clubs. Resist Booksellers Is Not Your Average Book Retailer. Our brand shines light on the thinkers, dreamers, and leaders who came before us. Those that weren’t afraid to stand up for the rights of others. The current generation, who picked up the batons and ran at lightening speed. Breaking down barriers and never accepting no for an answer. And for the future generation who are just getting started.”

book people

📍10464 Ridgefield Parkway, Henrico, VA 23233

this little gem used to be located in an old house and now has a new (larger!) location. it has been around richmond for 30+ years.

small friend records & books

📍1 N Lombardy St, Richmond, VA 23220

👑

“Small Friend Records & Books is a woman-owned book and record store in Richmond, VA with a focus on the radical, weird, and obscure. We opened in April 2018 on 17th Street in Shockoe Bottom, and after a year and a half at that location we moved to our current space at the corner of Lombardy and Main in the Fan.”