— Best New Bookstore
Nook and Nowhere
The Basics
Opened: 2025
Neighborhood: Shelby Park
Self-description: “Louisville’s first bookstore/bar/cafe.”
Website: nookandnowhere.com
Best of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 1
Total wins: 1
The Voting Academy Says
“So cozy.”
We asked Nook and Nowhere to share something that says something essential about them…
“Fall through space and time, land in the entryway of Nook and Nowhere. The Suspended Garden, courtesy of local artist Janey McClain, invites you to leave whatever it was behind at the door and join us in the beautiful absurdity offered by books, coffee and secret garden patios.”
Scroll Credits
Nook and Nowhere
Nicole Stipp and Kaitlyn Soligan Owens
Co-founders
David Welker
Creative director
Set and Setting Shop
Taught us to buy books
Dawnshaee Reid, Intro to Eclecticism
Taught us our community wants more books
Farm to Fork
Without whomst, no sandwiches
Wiltshire
Without whomst, no pastries
Susan Hershberg
Without whomst, no idea what we are doing
Jessica McClendon
Kitchen program founder
Shelby Rodeffer, Finer Signs
Head signist in charge
Jonathan Musselwhite
Head barista trainer, first call for maintenance panic attacks
Good Folks Coffee
Ongoing coffee-related emotional support
Janey McClain
Essential visual artist
Julie Defriend
Visiting somme, head of charisma
Veronica Stivers
Head of florals and event inspiration
The Team
Without whomst, no coffee or cocktails
Allie Soligan, Alexandra Leigh Designs
Head witch in charge of visuals
Neighbors and Locals
Who made us
Bookclubs
Who continue to make us
Names Redacted
Mysterious benefactors, building maintenance
Louisville’s Independent Bookstores
Foxing, Carmichael’s, A Novel Romance, Butcher Cabin Books, the Rosewater and more — who included us when they didn’t have to and make us better every day