5154 Broadway, San Antonio, TX

This lively bookstore is located in San Antonio’s Alamo Height neighborhood, which for those not local to Military City, it feels like a small town within a bigger city, yet it’s one of the more—in very subtle ways—posh zip codes in the state. This unexpected dose of high-end style hidden behind a modest demeanor describes the neighborhood’s best bookshop, as well. Nowhere Bookshop is one of the best spots in the city for new books, and certainly one of the most conscious of how unique details can set a bookstore apart from the pack.

A quick drive-by belies the treasures inside, as the shop looks like any other in a strip-center alongside Broadway. But the mural in the alleyway and the décor in the windows (dresses made of pages, Christmas trees of books, a giant cat with a mask) hints at greater things inside. It’s a busy and spacious store, with all kinds of gifts throughout, everything from cards and journals to socks, eyewear, jewelry, puzzles, art and prints, pens, stickers, etc. The variety is vast and creative. They even have a café in the back and all manner of clever literary accessories (like an old library card catalogue cabinet). But the main attraction is the books.

Immediately inside the door you’ll find Texas-focused literature and nonfiction, as well as bestselling hardcovers. Moving deeper into the store you’ll find tables and shelves of new fiction, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, graphic novels, memoirs, biographies, and loads of shelves about current social topics. In front of the café there are displays for art, poetry, science, and Teen Lit/YA novels. There’s a full wall of literary-flavored artworks, benches, chairs, and bathrooms.

Up a few low stairs (or by taking the very conscientious wheelchair ramp) you’ll find a large space for children’s books, everything from middle grade, early readers, picture books, and boards. There are gifts and toys here too, as well as cushiony chairs facing each other along the wide, bright windows.

The thing I like most are those details I mentioned earlier: the emblem on the floor saying “Middle of Nowhere” in the center of the shop, the wheelchair ramp, the artwork and creative displays, and even the little dioramas tucked in between the books. I spotted a few (including one for Calvin & Hobbes) but I’m sure there are others I missed. It’s a creative and fun store, and I highly recommend this one for all your new releases.

Atmosphere — Spacious, bright, creative, and artistic.

Quality — The books are all new and lean toward inclusive and socially aware.

Quantity — They have plenty to sort through here, with space to roam and socially distance from other browsers.

Diversity — This shop hits most of the usual categories, with plenty of fiction, local history, cultural studies, and children’s/teen.

Affordability — The books are new with new prices.

Amenities — The shop has a small café in the back, chairs and benches, gifts, bathrooms, plenty of amenities to keep you browsing comfortably.

Location — In a small strip-center on the east side of Broadway. There’s extra parking in the rear if you don’t want to park along the busy main street.

Customer Service — The staff were plentiful, friendly, and efficient.

Overall — This bookshop is surprisingly unique, bright, and fun, with an inclusive, community-focused mindset and loads of new releases, classics, and gifts. Highly recommended!