Not One, but TWO New Local Bookstores!

Over the July 4th weekend, I got to visit not one, but two brand-new local bookstores in Tulsa: Fulton Street Books and Coffee and Eleanor’s Bookshop. These are two amazing shops that you should check out immediately, if you love books!

Fulton Street Books & Coffee 

Fulton Street Books and Coffee (210 W. Latimer) is located two doors down from a duplex I once lived in. I’m sad that they are not my neighbors now! But I’ve seen the “before” and “after” on this building, from an empty space to the gorgeous business it is today, and was so excited to visit.

Fulton Street was founded by Onikah Asamoa-Caesar. Her husband, Kojo, was recently voted as the Democratic Nominee for Oklahoma Congressional District 1, a historic win in many ways. Even before its brick-and-mortar opening, the shop was featured on several lists of Black-owned bookstores in the United States, such as this one from Town & Country, and this one by Refinery29. And, in response to the protests following the death of George Floyd and growing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, Asamoa-Caesar started offering an Ally Box subscription service, which comes with two books, curated resources and an online learning collaborative. Although the Ally Box is currently sold out, you can request updates on their website.

It’s hard to limit yourself when purchasing books at Fulton St. They have an excellent children’s and YA section, in addition to shelves featuring poetry, LGBTQIA+ literature, anti-racist texts, literary fiction, etc.

Hours: 

Fulton Street Books and Coffee is currently open for business Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday shopping is by appointment only, and they also offer appointments for curbside pickup in addition to online ordering. The cafe is not open to the public in July. Follow them on social media for cafe updates.

Follow them on Facebook, @fulstonstreet918, or Instagram, @fultonstreet918.

Eleanor’s Bookshop

We’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Eleanor’s Bookshop for several months now. Located in the brand-new Shops at Mother Road Market, Eleanor’s Bookshop is an intimate space full of gorgeous picture books, cute gift items, etc.

Owners Matthew and Kelsey McAfee are both teachers. Their love for kids (and literature!) is evident. While I shopped, they graciously played with Joss, even joining him in trying out some new dance moves, showing him how the ladder moves and reading him a book about unicorns.

Joss did a run-by photo bomb. This beautiful mural is by Sully String. The symbols are from classic kid’s books. How many can you recognize?

Again, I found way more books I wanted to buy than I had money for. But we needed to purchase belated teacher appreciation gifts, so it worked out 🙂 Eleanor’s Bookshop has a whole YA section, shelves featuring local authors, books in Spanish and more. According to their website, “At Eleanor’s Bookshop, you’ll be able to find books with characters that look like you. Books about celebration, but also books about sadness and how to handle it. Books written in the languages that you speak. Books you read as a kid and books you’ve never seen before. Eleanor’s was designed with everyone in mind.”

Local author shelf! I see Betty Casey’s books!

Hours: 

Eleanor’s Bookshop is currently offering solo shopping experiences and curbside pickup. Sign up to shop here. Also, follow @eleanorsbookshop on Instagram or Facebook to get the latest updates!

Other Favorite Local Bookshops

If you want to take a bookshop tour of Tulsa, here are some other recommendations. If I left one of your favorites off of this list, please add it to the comments!

Lavender’s Bleu Literacy Market 
8210 S. Harvard Ave.

Whitty Books
2407 E. Admiral Blvd.

Magic City Books
221 E. Archer St.

Gardner’s Used Books & Music
4421 S. Mingo Rd.

McHuston Books & Bistro
122 S. Main St., Broken Arrow

Mocha Books Bookstore
Office: 5525 e 51st st. Suite 205