Visiting St. Pete’s Tombolo Books
Tombolo Books is a locally owned, independent bookstore in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg, Florida. The shop really embodies their brand mission: every arts city deserves a curated bookstore. A must-visit for any book lover, Tombolo Books features a robust selection of fiction and nonfiction books, with a little something for everyone.
Impressions of the Bookstore
I had heard a lot of great things about Tombolo Books before I visited. It always tops lists of the best independent bookstores in the Tampa/St. Pete area, and it is known for curating a strong sense of literary community. So, I was eager to see whether the shop lived up to the hype. Luckily enough, it did!
The Atmosphere
With a colorful exterior and eclectic interior, Tombolo has all the small bookstore vibes you’ve been craving. Besides the obvious star of the show here — the books, themselves — the shop has a great selection of reading-related trinkets, tote bags, and gifts. It was cool to see that so many of these pieces were from local artisans!
The Book Selection
The different selections of genres are not, in themselves, huge, but they really cover the best of the best. With a mix of classic literature, booktok favorites, and indie or local authors, Tombolo will help you step out of your comfort zone as a reader.
What I Picked Up from Tombolo
Visiting a store like this would turn even the most restrained reader into a kid in a candy shop, so I really didn’t have a chance to make it out of there empty handed. I picked up eight books in total, along with a cute tote bag to carry them around with. I am most excited to start Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses, which I keep hearing great things about.
P.S. Tombolo is conveniently located near both Pinellas Ale Works and 3 Daughters Brewing — a great way to spend the day! Learn more about these St. Pete breweries in my craft beer guide here.
Visiting Tombolo Books
Tombolo Books is open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 7 PM during the week and 10 AM to 5:30 PM on weekends. They are conveniently located in St. Pete, and have parking information on their website here.
Address: 2153 1st Ave S. Saint Petersburg FL, 33712
Important Links: Website | Events | Instagram
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