Tara Rittler
July 13, 2020
Over the July 4th weekend, I got to visit not one, but two brand-new local bookstores: Fulton Street Books and Coffee and Eleanor’s Bookshop. These are two amazing shops that you should check out immediately if you love books!
Fulton Street Books and Coffee (210 W. Latimer) is located two doors down from a duplex I once lived in. I’m sad that they are not my neighbors now! But I’ve seen the “before” and “after” on this building, from an empty space to the gorgeous business it is today and was so excited to visit.
Fulton Street was founded by Onikah Asamoa-Caesar. Her husband, Kojo, was recently voted as the Democratic Nominee for Oklahoma Congressional District 1, a historic win in many ways. Even before its brick-and-mortar opening, the shop was featured on several lists of Black-owned bookstores in the United States, such as this one from Town & Country, and this one by Refinery29. And, in response to the protests following the death of George Floyd and growing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, Asamoa-Caesar started offering an Ally Box subscription service, which comes with two books, curated resources, and an online learning collaborative. Although the Ally Box is currently sold out, you can request updates on their website.
It’s hard to limit yourself when purchasing books at Fulton St. They have an excellent children’s and YA section, in addition to shelves featuring poetry, LGBTQIA+ literature, anti-racist texts, literary fiction, etc.
Hours:
Fulton Street Books and Coffee is currently open for business Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday shopping is by appointment only, and they also offer appointments for curbside pickup in addition to online ordering. The cafe is not open to the public in July. Follow them on social media for cafe updates.
Follow them on Facebook, @fulstonstreet918, or Instagram, @fultonstreet918.