I was a little surprised to hear this: Barnes & Noble is making a comeback. The country’s largest bookselling chain opened nearly 60 new locations in 2024 — the most since 2007. After years of habitual online shopping, there’s a renewed appreciation for brick and mortar bookstores that goes beyond a national chain. More than 300 independent bookstores opened throughout the nation in 2023.
With that in mind, we want to shine a spotlight on some of our favorites in Las Vegas, especially during the holiday season when book shops large and small do their best business.
📚 Barnes & Noble
One of those new Barnes & Noble stores opened a few months ago in Town Square in the old Banana Republic space, reflecting a strategy by the company to embrace smaller, cozier locations, and dare I say it — indie vibes. The classical music in the background is a nice touch and the layout is thoughtful and efficient with gifts, toys, and vinyl on sale alongside well-organized shelves of books. The biggest change: no Starbucks or comfy furniture to encourage loitering. If you prefer a larger, more traditional Barnes & Noble, Vegas still has ‘em in Henderson, the Northwest, and near Summerlin.
📚 The Writer’s Block
The Writer’s Block is loaded with indie cred, occupying a Downtown location next to the Beverly Theater. (Both operate under the umbrella of the Rogers Foundation.) The Writer’s Block is deceptively large with a winding trail of rooms and eclectic decorations to emphasize different categories. The store is big on special events and book clubs to highlight independent writers, especially locals, and has a cozy coffee counter near the front with an intimate seating area.
Analog Dope in the Arts District. (Rob Kachelriess/City Cast Las Vegas)
📚 Analog Dope
Analog Dope is a shop in the Arts District for books and records with a culturally diverse selection to amplify Black culture. Even for such a small retail space, the books cover a lot of ground with socio-political, self-help, art, young adult, and even children's titles on the shelves alongside biographies of change makers. Feel free to ask about special orders.
📚 Avantpop Books
Avantpop is another indie bookseller that champions local talent, from readings and poetry events to an in-house publishing program. The selection dives deep into counter-culture categories, often organized by author. Need a valued, vintage book repaired? Avantpop can do that too. The shop has been a fixture for art and culture in New Orleans Square at Commercial Center, but is now challenging an eviction notice with a court date coming in 2025. Show your support by shopping at the business this holiday season or contributing to their GoFundMe page.
The City Cast Las Vegas team also wants to give a shoutout to Las Vegas Books on Eastern, Diamond Sutra Books in the Arts Factory, Hasta Siempre at the Gather House in Fremont East, and Browder Bookstore inside the Dam Roast House in Boulder City.
