12 Independent Bookstores to visit in Columbus (2025)

Explore Columbus, Ohio’s best bookstores! These local bookstores are neighborhood treasures where you can find your next great read!

These independent bookstores in Columbus, Ohio are some of the best places to visit in Columbus! And yes, as an avid reader, that is my biased opinion! LOL I love walking through a bookstore! It’s a peaceful, yet inspiring experience for me!

Visit one of these local bookstores to find a good book, join a monthly book club, enjoy a story time or attend live author events! These community bookstores are hubs for their communities with knowledgeable staff that will help you find just what you need!

​Browse this list of the best bookstores in Columbus, Ohio and pick one to visit soon!

1. Gramercy Books

• Address: 2424 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209
• Website

A bookstore that opens into a coffee shop? Have I died and gone to heaven?? Gramercy Books in Bexley opens up into Kittie’s Cakes and it’s the perfect combo!

Gramercy Books was founded by author and journalist Linda Kass. The shop hosts special events, book clubs and author visits. The store is a joy to shop in! This independent bookstore is bright and welcoming and it’s a great place to find new releases!

We love visiting the children’s section and browsing their selection of children’s books, toys and gift items! You can see more pictures of the children’s section in my list of bookstores for kids in Central Ohio!

 2. Birdie Books

• Address: 74 N State St, Westerville, OH 43081
• Website

Birdie Books is an adorable bookstore in Uptown Westerville filled with books and treasures in every nook and cranny. You can find a unique selection of books, book-related items, gift ideas and fun cards inside this shop!

The decor inside the shop adds to the magic here and it’s a pleasure to spend time getting lost in this bookstore! There is a small children’s area and a larger room in the back with more books and a couple of chairs.

Birdie Books is within walking distance of Espresso Air and Java Central, two coffee shops in Westerville that would combine to make the perfect book-lovers outing!

3. The Book Loft of German Village

• Address: 631 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43206
• Website

The Book Loft is probably the best-known bookstore in Columbus and it is a treasure! With 32 rooms filled with books, you can literally get lost in the store! They have so many books they even have them outside on a large covered patio!

The Book Loft of German Village was opened in its current location in 1977 and it has expanded 8 times! The buildings the bookstore occupies are pre-Civil War era buildings!

The books at The Book Loft are discounted and they have a large Bargain Book section. Though all the books are discounted, they are all also new. The Book Loft is also near a great coffee shop, Stauf’s Coffee Roasters is right next door!

Visiting this charming bookstore in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus is a true Columbus experience! It’s a popular bookstore and I suggest planning your visit on a weekday, if possible, in order to avoid crowds! As mentioned, there are 32 rooms of books and they are on several floors with lots of steps!

4. Prologue Bookshop

• Address: 841 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
• Website

This bookstore in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus can be found on the first floor of The Dakota on N. High Street. It’s a great bookstore and it also happens to be just next door to a coffee shop! So plan a trip to Prologue Bookshop and stop in at Roaming Goat Coffee for a great book lovers outing!

Prologue Bookshop opened in 2018 and it’s currently open 7 days a week!

Prologue Bookshop hosts local book clubs and events. The shop even has a small children’s section with fun books and gift items for kids.

5. Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers

• Address: 2116 Arlington Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43221
• Website

Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers in Upper Arlington, Ohio is a magical bookstore just for kids! In fact, you might just curl up on the couch with a book and make this your second home!

A local teacher originally opened Cover to Cover in Clintonville and our first visit to this children’s bookstore was at that location! Another teacher bought the store and moved it to Upper Arlington in 2018. The store hosts lots of special events and regular story times with local authors.

With books for kids of all ages and stages, you can find everything you need for required reading, birthday gifts or leisure reading. Online ordering is also available!

6. Two Dollar Radio Headquarters

• Address: 1124 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
• Website

This locally-owned bookstore on Parsons Avenue is home to the indie publisher Two Dollar Radio. This bookstore is dedicated to independently published literature and they publish several of their own books each year.

Inside this bright space is a vegan coffee shop, bar and cafe! Yet another coffee/bookstore combo for the win!

Two Dollar Ratio Headquarters has been open on the south side of Columbus since 2017. They host several events each week including book clubs, craft times, and writing workshops!

7. Storyline Bookshop

• Address: 2108 Tremont Ctr, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
• Website

Storyline Bookshop opened in Upper Arlington in 2024 and it is a dream! I love how this gorgeous bookstore is divided into themed rooms. The children’s area is pretty special, too! There is a super cute reading nook inside a rocket just for kids.

Each room is carefully designed with it’s theme in mind, for instance a room for Romance Novels and a room for Mysteries.

You can find Storyline Bookshop in Tremont Center in Upper Arlington right by The Original Goodie Shop (which makes for a perfect combo if you ask me)!

8. Clintonville Books

• Address: 3286 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202
• Website

Opened in late 2024, Clintonville Books houses a combination of new, used and rare books. The shop is bright and open and it’s divided into two halves. On the south side of the shop is a children’s section with a cozy window seat and a train table.

Behind the counter, there is a room with rare books and some seating. This bookstore in Clintonville has a little bit of everything, including mysteries, cookbooks, non-fiction, children’s books and more!

If you want to make an outing out of it, hop across the street to Cub Shrub or a few blocks down to Bite This by Annie for a treat!

9. The Bibliophile Candle Co.

• Address: 5454 N Hamilton Rd Suite B, Columbus, OH 43230
• Instagram Page

You can’t go wrong with reading a good book next to a nicely scented candle, but it’s even better if the candle scent is inspired by your favorite book! The Bibliophile Candle Co. offers you just that opportunity!

Part bookstore and part candle shop, this bookstore in Gahanna sells everything you need for a cozy Sunday. Or you can just settle into the shop with your favorite book because it’s just the coziest!

With seating options and free coffee, what’s not to love? This bookstore sells new and used books. Used books are half off the regular price. You can also pick out a candle inspired by Lord of the Rings, The Gilmore Girls, The Little Women and more!

I also loved the selection of reading-themed stickers, pins and other collectibles! What a delightful shop! Plan to spend a day in Gahanna with my list of fun things to do there!

10. Blue Couch Bookshop

• Address: 1445 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
• Website

This independent bookstore opened in Grandview during the summer of 2025. And yes, there is a blue couch inside! With a couple of cozy reading nooks and a wide variety of books to choose from, this is a welcome addition to the Grandview neighborhood.

Keep an eye on their calendar for author readings and local events!

Plan your visit with this list of fun things to do in Grandview!

11. Little Gay Bookstore

• Website
• Address: 1160 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201

Located inside Stonewall Columbus, along with Queer Beans Coffee, this bright and cozy space is small but mighty. The shop carries exclusively queer literature and operates as a non-profit.

The combination space has plenty of seating and is great for a coffee date. They also sell cute reader-themed gift items like bookmarks, cards and more.

Read my list of things to do in the Short North to plan your trip!

12. Bound By Books

• Instagram Page
• Address: 3974 Broadway, Grove City, OH 43123

This bookstore in Grove City opened in the fall of 2025 and features a little bit of everything when it comes to book genres. The shop has a romantic vibe and is a great addition to the shopping options in Grove City Town Center!

There is a cozy window seat and the shop sells some Blind Date with a Book options if you feel like taking your chances!

Read my list of things to do in Grove City to plan your visit!

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I hope this list of bookstores in Columbus inspires you to get out and explore! We are so lucky to have these local gems! Which one is your favorite? Or is there another bookstore I should add to the list? Leave me a comment below!