Charis Books & More

Charis Books & More
Company type	Independent bookstore
Industry	Retail (books)
Founded	1974
Founder	Linda Bryant, Barbara Borgman
Headquarters	Decatur, United States
Area served	Southern United States
Key people	Sara Luce Look, Angela Gabriel
Products	Feminist books, multicultural children's literature, LGBTQ publications, Agnes Scott College branded items, clothing, pride flags, greeting cards
Website	charisbooksandmore.com

Charis Books & More is an independent bookstore located in Decatur, Georgia, distinguished as the longest-running feminist bookstore in the Southern United States. Established in 1974 by Linda Bryant and Barbara Borgman within Atlanta's Little Five Points, it moved to Decatur in 2019 through a collaboration with Agnes Scott College. The bookstore offers a curated selection of multicultural children's literature, feminist works, and LGBTQ publications.

Description

As one of the oldest bookstores in Atlanta, Charis Books & More emphasizes diverse children's titles, feminist and cultural scholarship, alongside LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction. Sara Luce Look, a co-owner, was honored with the 2017 Bookseller of the Year Award by the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books for her efforts in championing literature that mirrors the diversity of young audiences. Notably, Charis was a pioneer in establishing an LGBTQ section for children during the 1980s and continues to provide inclusive books that explore a variety of family structures and social issues. Beyond its literary offerings, the store also sells Agnes Scott College branded items, clothing, pride flags, greeting cards, and other merchandise.

Operating as a vital community center, Charis hosts more than 200 events annually via its nonprofit branch Charis Circle. These include anti-racism dialogues, support groups for transgender youth, author presentations, and educational workshops. The store’s design fosters active participation in both reading and community programming, reinforcing its commitment as a gathering place for marginalized groups.

History

Charis Books commenced operations on November 4, 1974, at 419 Moreland Avenue in Atlanta’s Little Five Points neighborhood. The name "Charis" (pronounced KA-riss) originates from the Greek term meaning "gift" or "gratitude," reflecting the bookstore’s dedication to community service. Founders Linda Bryant and Barbara Borgman initially concentrated on radical theology, women’s fiction, and children’s books free from sexist and racist content. Over the first eight years, Charis transformed into a feminist bookstore with a focus on lesbian-feminist literature and was predominantly managed by lesbian staff. In 1977, Maya Smith joined as a partner, contributing her expertise in lesbian-feminist works. By the late 1970s, an advisory board was created along with a partnership ownership structure.

In 1994, Charis relocated to a distinctive lavender-painted house at 1189 Euclid Avenue near its original location. The nonprofit organization Charis Circle was established in 1996 to oversee workshops, support groups, and community initiatives operated from this site. Although the Euclid Avenue property was sold in 2016, the bookstore leased it for an additional two years while preparing for relocation. Ownership expanded when Sara Luce Look became an owner in 1997, followed by Angela Gabriel joining as co-owner in 2005.

In collaboration with Agnes Scott College in 2019, Charis Books took on the role of the college’s official bookstore. That April marked its reopening within a refurbished 19,000-square-foot facility at 184 South Candler Street in Decatur, which includes an event space accommodating up to 100 people. Despite closures during much of 2020 and early 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Charis sustained its operations through online sales channels.

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