As anyone who’s lived here or visited knows, Memphis is a city with a rich history. It seems any and every place in Memphis has a story of both beginnings and endings, births and rebirths, all while having a faithful following of Memphians trailing behind. Restaurants, shops, hotels – you name it, and Memphis probably has a generations-old, beloved icon of it.
One such place in Memphis, a favorite of many students attending nearby universities and book lovers alike, is Burke’s Book Store. While there is certainly a wide variety of locally owned stores in the Memphis area, Burke’s is one of those classic Memphis gems that has become a staple in the Cooper-Young neighborhood as well as the broader community. Having occupied four different locations around the city since it opened in 1875, Burke’s Book Store has certainly seen its fair share of beginnings and endings and even close calls as brick-and-mortar book stores continue to be phased out by online retailers and e-book readers.
Well known for both its collectible books (signed copies, first editions, rare books, etc.) as well as its wide collection of many of the latest, most popular titles, Burke’s Book Store carries an impressive collection of Memphis-focused literature. From a strong collection of history books on the city of Memphis to recently published works authored by Memphians, Burke’s masterfully curates a literary reflection of the mid-south appealing to both newcomers and lifelong Memphians.
Burke’s also hosts a variety of events, one of which included a conversation with international best-selling author John Grisham (who, in case you didn’t know, wrote a book about Memphis that was made into a movie that was later filmed in Memphis and starred Tom Cruise!). Of course, you’ll find the usual bookstore staples of postcards, notebooks, artisan book marks, and other knick knacks, all with a uniquely Memphis flair.
Ready for more ways to get connected with Memphis? Read up on our city’s history from a handful of perspectives you might not have considered before. For even more information about Memphis’ best bookstores, check out this article by our partner, Choose901.
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