Charis Books and More: Atlanta’s Historic Feminist Bookstore and Community Space

Charis Books and More is more than a bookstore. For many people in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s a long-standing community hub for feminist, LGBTQ+, and social justice literature and events. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just trying to understand what makes this spot special in the city’s cultural landscape, this guide will walk you through what to expect and how to make the most of a visit.

What Is Charis Books and More?

Charis Books and More is widely recognized as one of the oldest continuously operating feminist bookstores in the United States. Originally founded in the Little Five Points area, it is now located in Decatur, just east of Atlanta, and operates in partnership with Agnes Scott College.

Charis focuses on:

• Feminist and women-centered literature
• LGBTQ+ authors and stories
• Books by and about people of color
• Social justice, activism, and community organizing
• Children’s and young adult books that are inclusive and diverse

Although technically in Decatur, Charis is fully part of the greater Atlanta literary ecosystem, and many locals simply treat it as an essential Atlanta cultural institution.

Where It Is and How to Get There from Atlanta

Location (at time of writing):
Charis Books and More
1189 South McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
(inside or adjacent to Agnes Scott College campus area)

Because businesses can move or adjust hours, it’s always wise to confirm current address and hours by phone or online before heading over.

Getting There from Different Parts of Atlanta

By MARTA:

• From Downtown/Midtown Atlanta:
  • Take the Blue Line (East/West) toward Indian Creek.
  • Get off at Decatur Station.
  • From there, you can usually reach Charis by a short rideshare, bike, or a walk of around 15–20 minutes depending on your route.
• Check current MARTA maps and schedules, as bus connections or walking routes may change over time.

By Car:

• From many intown neighborhoods (Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, East Atlanta), Decatur is typically a 10–25 minute drive, traffic permitting.
• Parking options can include:
  • Street parking in surrounding neighborhoods
  • Nearby campus or public lots (observe posted rules and any permit requirements)

📝 Tip: Weekday afternoons and early evenings can be busy around Decatur. If you’re driving from Atlanta, expect I-20, I-85, and surface streets to slow down during rush hour.

What You’ll Find Inside: Books, Gifts, and More

Charis is a curated, mission-driven bookstore, not a big-box retailer. The selection is shaped deliberately to highlight underrepresented voices and progressive ideas.

Key Book Sections You’ll See

• Feminist theory and women’s studies
• LGBTQ+ fiction and non-fiction
• Race, ethnicity, and anti-racism
• Gender studies and trans experiences
• Disability justice and intersectionality
• Mental health and self-care (often from community, social, or feminist perspectives)
• Children’s picture books and YA titles with inclusive characters and families
• Poetry, literary fiction, and memoirs from local and global authors

Beyond Books

You can typically also find:

• Journals and notebooks
• Buttons, stickers, and patches with social justice and literary themes
• Cards, zines, and small-press items
• Occasional local artist or maker items that align with the store’s mission

Because the inventory changes frequently, browsing is part of the experience. Many Atlanta residents visit Charis when they want books and gifts that reflect local activism and diverse perspectives.

Charis as a Community and Event Space

One of the biggest reasons Charis matters in Atlanta is its role as a gathering place.

Types of Events Commonly Hosted

While the specific calendar changes regularly, visitors can often find:

• Author talks and book signings
  Featuring local Atlanta writers as well as national voices in feminism, queer studies, and activism.

• Reading groups and book clubs
  Often centered on themes like Black feminist thought, trans literature, or current social issues.

• Workshops and teach-ins
  For example:

  • Writing workshops
  • Community organizing basics
  • Discussions around local issues in Atlanta (housing, policing, education)

• Youth and family events
  Storytimes, teen book discussions, or programs designed to support inclusive families navigating Atlanta’s school and social environments.

📌 Local note: Events at Charis often intersect with broader movements in Atlanta, such as organizing around voting rights, mutual aid, and LGBTQ+ protections. It’s a way to connect books with what’s happening on the ground in the city.

Who Tends to Feel at Home at Charis?

Charis is intentionally designed to be a welcoming, safer space for:

• Women, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people
• LGBTQ+ Atlantans and visitors
• People of color seeking affirming literature and community
• Educators, social workers, and organizers looking for resources
• Parents and caregivers seeking inclusive children’s books for families in Atlanta

That said, the store is open to everyone who engages respectfully. Many straight, cisgender, or more traditionally mainstream readers simply visit to expand their reading lists and support a longstanding local institution.

How Charis Fits Into Atlanta’s Literary and Activist Landscape

Atlanta has a rich civil rights, arts, and literary history, and Charis fits into that tradition by centering voices often pushed to the margins.

Connection to Atlanta’s History

• Atlanta is home to key civil rights landmarks and organizations. Charis carries books that trace this local history and extend it into contemporary struggles.
• The store’s long life in the area means it has seen multiple waves of activism, gentrification, and cultural change, and it often reflects these shifts in its shelves and events.

Relationship to Other Local Institutions

Charis interacts with:

• Agnes Scott College and other local universities (Emory, Georgia State, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta), which often send students and faculty.
• Local nonprofits and advocacy groups that may co-host events, panels, and community conversations.
• Other independent bookstores and arts spaces around Atlanta, collectively contributing to the city’s literary scene.

For someone new to Atlanta or just getting involved in local issues, Charis can serve as an entry point into networks of writers, organizers, and educators.

Visiting Charis: Practical Tips for Atlantans and Visitors

Best Times to Go

• Weekdays: Often quieter, good for browsing, talking with staff, and asking for recommendations tailored to your interests.
• Evenings/Weekends: Livelier, more likely to include events or group discussions.

Check ahead for:

• Current hours of operation
• Mask or accessibility policies
• Event calendar (some events may require registration or tickets)

What to Ask the Staff

Booksellers at Charis are typically very informed about:

• Feminist classics vs. newer voices
• Atlanta-based and Southern authors
• Books that match specific identities or experiences (for example, queer Black YA set in the South)
• Age-appropriate inclusive books if you’re buying for kids or teens in Atlanta-area schools

Questions like these can help you get personalized suggestions:

• “I’m new to Atlanta and want to learn more about local Black feminist and LGBTQ+ history. What do you recommend?”
• “I’m looking for middle-grade books that reflect diverse families. What are some good starting points?”
• “I want to understand current organizing work in Atlanta. Are there books that connect to what people are doing here now?”

Accessibility and Inclusivity Considerations

Charis has a strong reputation for centering accessibility and inclusion, although details can evolve over time.

Common considerations for visitors:

• Physical access:
  Look for up-to-date information on:
  • Entry accessibility (ramps, steps, doors)
  • Restroom accessibility
  • Seating options during events
• Sensory and social comfort:
  Some events are quieter and discussion-based, while others are more crowded. If you’re sensitive to busy spaces, you might prefer daytime browsing or smaller groups.
• Content guidance:
  Many books deal with heavy topics like oppression, trauma, or discrimination. Staff can usually help you find materials at the intensity level you’re comfortable with.

If you have specific needs, calling ahead to ask what accommodations are available is usually welcomed and can make your visit smoother.

Quick Reference: Charis Books and More at a Glance

How Charis Can Be Useful to You if You’re in Atlanta

Depending on your situation, Charis can play different roles in your Atlanta experience:

• New to the city?
  Use Charis as a place to learn about Atlanta’s social movements, communities, and authors through curated books and events.

• Longtime Atlantan?
  It’s a reliable spot to support local and independent voices, refresh your reading list, and stay connected to ongoing conversations about equity in the city.

• Visiting for a conference or weekend?
  Stopping by Charis offers a snapshot of how Atlanta’s literary culture intersects with activism, especially if you pair your visit with time in nearby Decatur Square or other intown neighborhoods.

• Parent, caregiver, or educator in metro Atlanta?
  You’ll find children’s and YA books that can help kids navigate identity, community, and difference in a city as diverse as Atlanta.

Final Thoughts: Using Charis as a Gateway to Atlanta’s Stories

If you’re trying to understand Atlanta through its books, its communities, and its ongoing fights for justice, Charis Books and More is a natural place to start. It offers:

• Carefully chosen books that reflect the realities and aspirations of people living in and around Atlanta.
• A calendar of events that connect literature to current issues in the city and the South.
• A welcoming space where residents and visitors alike can explore identity, politics, and art in conversation with others.

Whether you drop in for a single title or dive deep into its events and networks, Charis gives you a grounded, on-the-shelf view of how Atlanta reads, organizes, and imagines its future.