Grand Opening of Evanston’s First Black Feminist Bookstore
Zora’s Place officially opened its doors on September 20, 2025, after six years of planning. The bookstore is the first Black woman-owned feminist bookstore in Evanston, Illinois, and its launch drew excitement from the community.
Founded by writer and journalist L’Oreal Thompson Payton, Zora’s Place is more than just a bookstore. She describes it as a “love letter to the community,” offering a space where Black women, children, and anyone seeking belonging can feel safe and celebrated. The 700-square-foot pop-up shop is located inside The Aux Wellness Collective, a Black-owned community hub in Evanston.
A Family Effort and Community Inspiration
Payton’s vision for Zora’s Place has always been rooted in collaboration. Her husband, Jeff, serves as director of operations, overseeing setup and logistics. Even their 3-year-old daughter, Violet, has a role as junior bookseller and assistant store manager.
The store’s name honors Payton’s literary hero, Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God. By grounding the space in the legacy of Hurston, Payton aims to keep alive a tradition of Black women writers who tell untold stories.
Books That Reflect Diversity and Equity
The shelves of Zora’s Place are filled with over 150 works, from fiction to self-help and spirituality. Featured authors include Black literary giants such as Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. The selection also expands to feminist Black men and gender-expansive writers, amplifying voices often left out of mainstream publishing.
Events like family story hours and author talks are part of the bookstore’s mission to foster inclusion. Payton sees the store as a response to current political and cultural pressures. “It amplifies the voice of Black people in a time when you see more and more Black books being put on a banned book list and our history being erased or told incorrectly,” she told WBEZ Chicago.
From Dream to Reality After Six Years
The idea for Zora’s Place first emerged in June 2019, when Payton connected with Tiffini Holmes, owner of The Aux. What began as a discussion about teaching yoga quickly shifted to Payton’s dream of a feminist-focused bookstore. By that same afternoon, she had written a business proposal and launched a crowdfunding campaign.
Since then, the project has grown steadily. To date, Zora’s Place has received 161 donations, raising 45% of its $25,000 goal. Over $1,600 has gone toward book inventory, while other funds cover furniture, décor, and community space rental — with a priority on purchasing from Black woman-owned businesses.
A Safe Space for Literature and Community
Zora’s Place is more than a business; it is an inclusive gathering space at a time when cultural narratives are being challenged. Payton envisions the bookstore as a hub for empowerment, dialogue, and storytelling.
Through her leadership, Evanston now has a bookstore that reflects its progressive values while also filling a cultural gap. For many in the city, Zora’s Place represents both a dream fulfilled and a foundation for future generations of readers.
