By Joshua Sarfert and Inés Francom
Media and News Editors
It’s no exaggeration to say that bookstores are some of the most powerful places on earth. The building’s four walls hold the answers to almost every question and the stories of every author written in perfectly black ink. Its signature smell of industrial paper, the clinical cleanness of the bookshelves, and the gentle lull of background music are an environment that would put anybody at ease. With its various vendors, Winston-Salem is home to many incredible and unique bookstores. Here are a few of our favorite local Winston-Salem bookshops to help you plan your next literary adventure.
Book Ferret
Walking through Sherwood Plaza, you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see the face of a cozy ferret smiling down at you. Wrapped in a warm coat and clutching his newest read, Book Ferret’s friend, Finnneas, has the honor of welcoming all readers to this bookish wonderland.
Book Ferret is a growing gem of Winston-Salem. With its quiet ambiance, natural lighting, colorful shelves, and variety of books, Book Ferret certainly has the hearts of many locals.
“One of our unique features is we have used and new books,” Book Ferret co-owner Charlie Nall said. “So people can trade in gently used books for store credit. We shelve used and new books together by genre.”
This blend of new and classic books can be seen throughout the store. With tables promoting newly released and anticipated books, being paired with books previously loved by others. Along with the visual aesthetic the blend creates, with various colors jumping off the shelves, it also makes the chance for Book Ferret to create a diverse range of books to display.
“Lately [my favorite thing to recommend has] been Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan,” Nall said. “It takes place around Christmas time in Ireland in the 1980s, but it’s a good read any time of year. It’s a novella, so it’s a quick one-sitting kind of read, but it really packs a punch.”
Along with its curated collection of novels, Book Ferret has created a unique audience in Winston.
“I think we complement the other bookstores in town because we’re all a little different,” Nall said. “You know, we’re intimate. […] We also have puzzles and bookish mugs, games, and things. We’re also big on children’s books with a pretty good size children’s section.”
If you’re looking for a gift for your book-reading bestie, craving a good book recommendation, or looking for some homely silence, head over to Book Ferret!
Bookhouse
Venturing through the charming Reynolda Village, most can expect a tranquil walk through nature or quick window shopping through the assortment of stores. Since opening in the Summer of 2023, The Bookhouse has added a much-needed variety to the beloved shopping center.
What once started as a dream between two sisters, The Bookhouse offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With shelves filled with new and classic arrivals, there is something for everyone.
“This year, the book I recommended the most was Remarkably Bright Creatures [by Shelby Van Pelt],” Bookhouse owner Tara Cool Said. “Most people like it; it doesn’t matter what genre you read.”
When you visit, Wake Forest students quietly grind away their assignments, children enjoy the designated kid’s corner, and tourists browse the local section featuring Winston-Salem themed stickers, postcards, and more.
What sets the bookhouse apart from others is its built-in cafe– providing endless opportunities for your book-shopping adventure.
“We have the bar, so we’ve got coffee, tea, and then beer and wine,” Cool said. “And places will just gather here, so book clubs will come, and friends will grab a coffee, we’ve had baby showers here as well.”
If you’re looking for that perfect pitstop from your Reynolda adventure, The Bookhouse is ideal for anyone trying to find that Gilmore Girls-Small town feel in Winston.
Bookmarks
In the heart of downtown lies a Winston-Salem classic. Bookmarks isn’t your typical bookstore. Known for its annual festival of books and authors; the nonprofit has worked to serve the community as a beacon of literature and education.
Bookmarks has a long history of enriching our city. The first festival in 2004 was held in Old Salem, featuring notable authors Maya Angelou and Michael Chabon. As the organization gained more traction in its outreach programs to aid the community, Bookmarks eventually opened its physical store in 2017.
Starting in the classroom, Bookmarks strongly focuses on connecting with students. The nonprofit donated hundreds of books for R.J. Reynolds students to enjoy two years ago.
“We have school programs where we bring authors to do school visits,” Employee Noor said. “We also host field trips here, so a lot of kids can be sponsored to come pick out three free books.”
Diving deeper into the community, the store has something for everyone.
“We have a lot of focus on connecting students and kids, but also adults in the community with different author events,” Noor said. “A lot of community-based programs, like various book clubs, frequently meet here.”
When you walk into the physical store, it is no secret that lots of effort goes into the environment and atmosphere to uphold the welcoming, community-oriented space the organization invites.
“I think one of the biggest things that also sets us apart is our curation,” Noor said. “Caleb, who is our inventory manager, and the rest of the staff are very thoughtful about what we recommend and put out into the world.”
In addition to the carefully crafted displays holding new and classic bodies of work, the physical bookmarks store is attached to Footnote, serving various drinks, perfect for your bookstore adventure.
“I would say my favorite drink, shoutout to Yuli, who is a barista there, who makes a really good honey pot latte; it’s one of my favorites,” Noor said. “It’s great to be able to grab a cup and just come browse around because we allow food and drink in here.”
Bookmarks has established itself as more than a bookstore, but a vital part of Winston-Salem culture. The sense of community, education, and inspiration offered when you walk through its doors is a rare gem that shouldn’t be overlooked.
McKay’s
Standing out from the rest of Winston’s local bookstores, McKay’s brings its signature energy to the table: organized chaos. The feeling of walking into McKay’s can best be compared to the feeling of finishing your favorite action-packed book. But instead of dragons, fights, and the big book reveal, McKay’s brings with it yelling children greeting you at the door, rows upon rows of stacked books, with some of the most unique books you’ll ever find.
With its signature boxed-in shelves and plastic crates, McKay’s houses by far the most extensive inventory of books out of all of our favorite bookstores. With books crammed into every wooden cube possible, haphazardly filling the shelves, it’s every reader’s dream. You can find anything from Rainbow Magic: The Rainbow Fairies to popular BookTok books like Sally Rooney’s Normal People. The possibilities are endless at McKay’s.
What stands out the most about McKay’s is its store credit policy. Since it first opened its doors to the public, McKay’s has been offering store credit or cash exchanges for every book donated to them. While the amount of store credit or cash varies based on the book’s condition, popularity, or how many are already in stock, the program is always a sure way to make a little bit of cash in a pinch. This program and McKay’s policy of only selling pre-owned books make McKay’s the most cost-efficient bookstore in Winston.
The goal of McKay’s was, and still is, to provide an extensive range of books at a cheap price, allowing more people access to the wonderful world of reading. Walking through the halls of McKay’s, this promise is undoubtedly upheld. People of all backgrounds can enjoy the different selections of books, genres, vinyl, video games, CDs, DVDs, stuffed animals, collector’s items, and board games scattered throughout the store.