Julia's Cafe & Books — Restaurant in Charlotte

This is connected to ReStore (a place run by Habitats for Humanity) where people can donate furniture and other home items. (Great if you enjoy thrifting. 😊)

Although the cafe appears to be a separate business from ReStore - they have their own set of donated products that they also sell - I noticed books, records/vinyls, sheet music, and cute note cards. The products displayed in the cafe are specifically sold in the cafe and must be purchased there (as well as the food/drinks, of course). And vice versa for the products displayed in the ReStore area.

While they are separate businesses with separate checkout areas, however, they are really part of one big warehouse and customers can easily go in and out of the cafe and ReStore without going outside to exit one and enter the other. Because of that, I suspect that they are both run by Habitat for Humanity, and I’d also imagine the proceeds from both help the same cause.

The people that were working there were really nice, too! I enjoyed talking with them, and they seemed genuinely interested in our conversation.

Even the other customers were nice, lol. My mom and I were singing a song from sheet music, trying to remember exactly how the song went. (Obnoxious to do in public, I know… 😳) But these two ladies sitting near us said they enjoyed our earlier singing as they were leaving the cafe. 😂

I’m attaching a picture of the things I bought (for next to nothing!) so people can get idea of the products sold in the...

I stumbled upon Julia’s Café and books by chance. I met AJ as she was making coffees. She took the time to speak with me & was awesome! On the wall, there’s framed inspiring story about Julia & the history of how this place got started. About the coffee: Magnolia which is locally roasted was delicious. I asked if they’re affiliated with the organization next door & she told me they get the books from the donations. Yes, they work with Habitat & all of the proceeds go back to building for habitat. This is a terrific space with lots of room to just cozy up with some delicious coffee & maybe even find a perfect book to take home. I scored “27 views of Charlotte, the Queen city in prose and poetry.” I can’t wait to read it. Check out my pics & the review of ReStore attached next door. What a great setup!

Happy Exploring...

This was a pleasant surprise. I've working at Habitat around the Triangle area before relocating here and they do not have cafes attached to them. Yet, this was much more than a cafe (see pictures of food, books, and movies)!

The staff, like most Habitat locations, was very friendly and helpful. I learned that in the Charlotte area alone, Julia's cafe receives thousands of books each year which every folks can buy for as little as $1. But they have a special section set aside of rare books. Those books will cost a little more, yet nothing outrageous.

Now, they also have movies for sale which looked brand new and perfect for cold days like we have coming up. On the way in or out, don't forget to grab a drink or pastry which looked amazing.

I would definitely recommend...