According to a report published by the National Association of Black Bookstores, there are 306 Black-owned bookstores in the United States of America, representing approximately 8% of independent bookstores nationwide. And 14 states currently have no Black-owned bookstore. Utah has a wonderful Black-owned mobile bookstore. ✨ CROWNE BOOKS ✨ aims to bring the first brick-and-mortar Black-owned bookstore to the state of Utah.***

Brought to you by Olivia Nightingale, an award-winning editor and romance author, this new addition to Salt Lake City’s literary scene will specialize in literature written by and about African Americans, Africans, and the African Diaspora!

We will stock a variety of frontlist and backlist titles, maintaining a healthy mix of new and used books across all genres of Black literature, including comics, manga, and graphic novels.

Olivia strongly believes literacy is liberation and her legacy. She wants to do her part by leaving her mark on SLC’s third spaces by providing a safe and inclusive space for the Black community, allies, family, and friends to come together over the joy of a great book!

Our ultimate goal of comfortably securing a lease and renovating a permanent location is underway. Olivia is working with the Salt Lake Department of Economic Development and community partners and is also exploring other areas of Utah that may be a great fit. But she is starting with the funds needed to make a significant impact as a pop-up all across the state. $7,500 will allow her to:

If and when this goal is met, the campaign will enter stage two, revealing the permanent location where we intend to put down roots and her transition into a book truck. The final stage will be the grand opening of the brick-and-mortar in 2027! Join us by donating and spreading the word. Every dollar helps build this dream, combat rising illiteracy, and promote diversity!

7/1/2026

You all have smashed our initial goals! This is what we have done so far with the funds raised:

• Brought Pop-Up Shelving and Decor

• Begun the Process of Opening our Shopify Storefront

• Upgraded our POS to Square with a Display Screen & Cash Drawer

• Initiated our Food Handlers and Cottage Food Licenses to Serve Food at Events

• Bought 100+ Black Books with Another 650+ Coming Soon Between our New and Used Vendors!!!!!

• Joined the American Booksellers Association, National Black Booksellers Association, Utah Black Business Chamber, and LGBT Business Chamber, with More Coming Soon!!!!

• Stocked 15 Bookish Black-owned Small Businesses/Brands, including: Afro Unicorn, Brave Moonman, Pixel & Ink Creative, A Scent Story, In Perennial, Pink Picasso Kits, Be Rooted, Gap Closer Games, Jollity & Co. + Daydream Society, Rosemary Renea, The Seasonal Pages, Charmed by Nathalie Ann, Pinstory, The Moonborn & Little Lovelies Studio

Thank you can’t begin to express my gratitude for every dollar donated and everyone who has shared the campaign! GoFundMe has featured us, and we’re in talks with the Black Chamber of Commerce for a special project. In the meantime, we’re moving into stage two for Crowne Books: acquiring a high-roofed mobile van to convert into a bookmobile! Please keep sharing and believing in this dream.

With Love ♥,

Olivia, Owner of Crowne Books

#blackowned #womanowned #indiebookstore #smallbusiness #utah

***Using data available from the NAB² database, there are no other Black-owned brick-and-mortar bookstores in operation as of the 2025 report.