Dallas’ Deep Vellum Bookstore is claiming new bragging rights as one of many 20 finest unbiased bookstores in America, based on a brand new information from Condé Nast Traveler. San Antonio, sadly, was snubbed.
The checklist was printed in celebration of Unbiased Bookstore Day on April 25 — however day by day might be Indie Bookstore Day if you’re supporting your native store somewhat than a nationwide chain like Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Indie bookstores and bodily media have been having a a lot wanted renaissance in right this moment’s digital (and AI slop-filled) period. Greater than 400 new bookshops opened in 2025 alone, the American Booksellers Affiliation reported, and native bookstores are welcome third areas for a lot of literature loving people.
Deep Vellum received the title as the very best indie bookstore within the Lone Star State, outshining a number of different well-liked Texas booksellers, together with San Antonio’s personal Nowhere Bookshop and The Twig E-book Store.
Positioned at 3000 Commerce St. in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood, Condé Nast stated Deep Vellum serves as “one of many nation’s premier translators of latest international literature.”
“As esoteric as its assortment could appear, the bookstore itself makes exploration approachable,” wrote editorial assistant Kat Chen. “Crack right into a can of craft beer, gaze on the wall plastered with polaroids of smiling patrons, and tuck into an engrossing learn on one of many tweed armchairs.”
Deep Vellum was based by Will Evans in 2013 as a community-focused literary arts heart and nonprofit publishing home for various worldwide literature, in addition to native Dallas writers. The bookstore quickly adopted in 2015, and operations have now expanded to 5 publishing imprints that produce half English-original works and half worldwide literature.
This mighty bookshop and publishing home has lengthy proved its endurance even after its federal funding was axed final yr. In early April, the group revealed it could launch its inaugural Deep Vellum Music and Literature Pageant from July 10-12, 2026.
“By literary readings, writer panels, spoken phrase, dwell music performances, and neighborhood activations this competition will convey voices from throughout Texas and world wide,” a press launch stated.
Till then, Condé Nast supplied some really useful studying for Texas bibliophiles that need to take a look at some (new-to-you) literary and psychological fiction: Tram 83 by Fiston Mwanza Mujila (translated by Roland Glasser) and Miss MacIntosh, My Darling by Marguerite Younger.
And if you wish to choose up a couple of books (or a complete stack), our information to San Antonio’s many indie booksellers will get you began.
