Beloved Charlotte bookstore where every book is ‘picked by hand’ reopens in NoDa
I’ve Read It In Books, a beloved Charlotte bookstore formerly tucked in a corner of Tip Top Daily Market Plaza, is planning to soon reopen in a new NoDa location with double the space, extra seating and hundreds more books.
The shop is set to open March 1 in a converted home at 2902 N. Davidson St., which also houses Milk Money Vintage and Stash Pad.
Named after an Echo & the Bunnymen lyric, the independent bookstore is owned by Rob Banker, a self-proclaimed bookworm who opened the original shop in October 2020 during some of the darker times of the pandemic. The store quickly gained popularity, with regular customers seeking treasures from Banker’s unique collection.
“We have a well-curated selection of books, all picked by hand,” Banker said, describing his business as a progressive bookshop with a focus on authors of color and from the LGBTQ+ community.
“I try to make sure that what’s on the shelves is really high quality and unusual — books you won’t find other places. We have something for just about every category, from classics to modern fiction to current politics and economics. Nothing’s off the table for what I stock.”
As with the original site, Banker plans to use the venue as a way to give back to the homeless. The shop will accept donations of quality used books, which are then either taken directly to the homeless or sold, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to grassroots organizations that address homelessness and food insecurities.
Creating a place to escape
The shop closed last July, but Banker pointed out it was “not because the store wasn’t successful,” he said. He’s spent the last seven months trying to revive the bookstore and recently learned about the new site. From there, it was a scramble to reopen.
“I’m in the middle of trying to build and fully stock a bookstore within three weeks,” he said.
He ordered about 800 books to start with for the grand opening, and that number will grow. Banker’s goal is to eventually stock 1,500 titles — nearly three times as many books as he had in the former location.
Banker also plans to add a children’s section, which he didn’t have room for at the Tip Top site. The kids’ selections will include plenty of favorites from noted authors like Shel Silverstein, as well as a collection of books to help children be more socially aware of other people’s feelings, differences and backgrounds.
With twice the space, the new shop will have a sofa and chairs for people to come in, grab a book and relax for a bit.
“Bookstores have always been incredibly important to me — a place where I felt I could escape, finding a corner and paging through a book for a few hours,” Banker said. “That’s what I want to create here — a place where people feel comfortable and want to relax.”
I’ve Read It In Books
Location: 2902 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205
Instagram: @ireaditinbooks
This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 5:45 AM.
