Blue Ridge Books is a female-owned business located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. We have been a part of the Waynesville community for more than a dozen years. Our store opened in 2007 in the strip shopping center on Main Street. The current owners, Jo and Allison, took over in 2010 and in 2017 moved the store to the historic Hazelwood Village in Waynesville.
As an independent, locally owned business, the community has always been a major focus of the bookstore. We love to talk about books with our customers, and we listen to what interests them. We also know how important it is to find a child’s first book, a book for someone going through a tough time or just as an escape. It is a wonderful feeling to put a book in someone’s hands that we know they will love. An independent bookstore seeks to strike a balance between popular, well-known titles, and those special books that may escape notice in the broader media.
We also enjoy working with and providing discounts to students, schools, community groups, and book clubs. Head Start is near and dear to our heart. By combining our efforts with donations from our customers, we provide books for preschool students in Head Start. Recently we have enjoyed partnering with Folkmoot to host authors in their Queen Auditorium.
The most popular sections in our store contain local books, mystery/thrillers, fiction, and, literally a vault full of gorgeous children’s books. We also carry magazines and newspapers for those people that just need a quick reading fix.
We would love for you to visit us and spend time browsing our shelves, but if that isn’t possible for you, you can still shop with us online and take a look at some of our favorites. The online list includes more books than are in stock at the store.
If you have a special interest in local non-fiction, please give us a call to order regional titles that may not be available through our online system.
Luke Lamar (Kick the Darkness: A Journey Through Struggle, Faith & Redemption) & James Cooper (Legends of American Karate: Everything is Possible)will be reading from their respective books. Drop by to experience Luke’s tales of the highs & lows of his life. James will speak about the history of AKANA, the martial arts group
founded on the values of honor, respect and friendship, and its founders. Both men’s stories will inspire.
For more detailed information on each event, be sure to follow us on Facebook!
Jo enjoys watching movies from the 1930s and 1940s and likes to read thrillers.
Allison - Owner
Allison is obsessed with her flower garden and loves regional literature.
Mary - Store Manager
Mary went sky diving for her 50th birthday and enjoys suspense books.
Shelby - Bookseller
Shelby has a large collection of mugs to enjoy her favorite teas. She enjoys anything in the young adult section.
Interesting Facts About Blue Ridge Books
Locals remember the bank being located here years ago. But few remember that before the bank a modern 300 seat movie theater opened in our building in 1941.
The restored hardwood floors and brick walls are original to our old building. The ceiling, though not original, is a sight to behold.
Our literary clock reminds us that it’s always time for books.
We’re a dog-friendly store! Fresh water is always available for our thirsty furry visitors. Treats are on hand, also. We are not responsible for our staff over-feeding you precious pups!
Carefully designed with your children in mind, the old bank vault has become our bright, happy, young-reader inspired Children’s Room.
The Constitution of the United States came in at #5 on the Blue Ridge Books bestseller list for 2019. You can get your copy for just $1.75.
