Tombolo Books — Local services in Saint Petersburg

Tombolo Books is a gift to the St. Pete community. The staff are well read, and each appears to specialize in specific genres. You need a great essay collection? They got you. Crime fiction? You're covered. Looking for horror? Be afraid. Be very afraid. They pack so much into a quaint space in the Grand Central District of St. Pete.

The shop manages multiple bookclubs that meet in-store, host myriad author events and workshops, and really add to the culture of the 'Burg.

Bookselling is in the DNA of the owners of this bookstore. If it's not on the shelves in store, they will track down a copy and have it sent to the shop (within reason, of course).

Best of all is the robust kids/children's book section. Their staff really work hard to instill a love of reading in aspiring bibliophiles. This section includes a reading nook crafted by the owner's father. That's that local touch.

In addition to books they have a huge selection of stickers, journals, sketch books, handmade card, candles, pens, and puzzles.

A town is not a town without a bookstore. Did I mention this shop is also dog-friendly? Kino loves visiting the store and getting his milk bone from behind the counter.

When you visit make sure to hit up the staff picks...

This is, hands down, the most adorable bookstore I’ve ever been in. It’s cute, it’s small, it’s cozy, it’s inviting and the staff is incredibly helpful and awesome. I attended a book launch event with my book club, so that’s how I stumbled upon this place. I wanted to just stay and read. There’s a little coffee shop nearby and it’s like the perfect combination! It’s not completely downtown so you don’t have that busy feel, but you are still near the downtown area. Parking is crazy, so just expect that, BUT it doesn’t matter. I returned a few days later with my kids as they have decent kid selection. They have a great selection and they promote local authors, making them accessible and fun to meet.

I cannot wait to return here as it’s a little hidden gem! As a former English teacher, it’s so nice to see that a bookstore is doing it right!!! It warms my educator heart to see this place bustling when I was there on a Saturday.

Check out this adorable little store. Grab a book and just sit and read. You’ll feel the vibe! If you are a book lover and bookstore junkie, this is...

Came here for the first time for an author event and it exceeded my expectations. The shop is small but really well stocked with an excellent variety of bestsellers, local finds, and many different genres. It's clean and cute and the staff were really nice. As an avid reader who is also on the cheap side, I'm not someone who usually risks buying a new author full price when the library is free, but there is something special about a small, private book store and the ability to support a local business and a local author at the same time. Something special about a book lover community, sharing space with people who get lost in the pages the same way you do, and being able to get new and unique recommendations from all sorts of perspectives. It's an experience. Also props to the store for their loads of events-not an easy undertaking and really shows their commitment to the...