Calling all local book lovers! Tombolo Books, the popular indie bookshop that’s popped up at events all around the ‘Burg will open its brick-and-mortar location on Saturday, December 14.

Co-owners Alsace Walentine and Candice Anderson launched a fundraising campaign in late November, and within a week nearly raised the entirety of Tombolo’s $12,000 fundraising goal. At this moment they’ve raised $10,375 from 113 backers.

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A new indie bookstore in the Grand Central District

Alsace had over 15 years of experience managing Asheville, North Carolina’s well-known Malaprop’s Bookstore and growing the store’s events program. Since starting Tombolo Books 2 years ago, Walentine and Anderson have sold over 4,000 books in their popular pop-up locations.

The new 1,550-square-foot bookstore, at 2153 1st Ave. South in the Grand Central District just west of downtown, will have a rotating selection of 7,000 highly curated books, with plans for regularly engaging the community through author events and book clubs.

“The time is right for a specialty bookstore like ours in St. Petersburg,” Walentine said. “In talking to the customers at our pop-ups, we’ve seen there’s significant demand for a place that brings all types of people together, with the common bond being a love for reading.”

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Book clubs, author events and more planned

Tombolo will offer exciting titles for readers of all ages. Yes, there’s even a reading nook for your kids, though I would also totally lounge in there for an afternoon.

Tombolo is in good company. The indie bookstore is located next Black Crow Coffee and Squeeze Juice Works. Buy yourself a book, a grab a cold pressed juice, a baked good from Black Crow and enjoy the sunshine in the courtyard. It’s paradise, folks.

Keep up with all that’s happening at Tombolo Books, including events and book recommendations, by following the store on Facebook and Instagram.