Uncle Bobbie’s Books is moving this fall but staying put in Germantown
The Germantown bookstore will expand into a 3,000 square-foot space allowing for more books and bigger events.
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books — the eight-year-old Germantown bookstore owned by college professor and political pundit Marc Lamont Hill — will move to a new space a few blocks west this fall.
“We are moving right up the street to 6237 Germantown Avenue,” said Justin Moore, the bookstore’s general manager.
“We have known for years we needed to move the space since we outgrew it pretty quickly. But with COVID, we were trying to survive, not think about growth and development. Now it’s time.”
The new spot — at the intersection of Washington Lane and Germantown Avenue — will take up 3,000 square-feet in the ground floor of a 47-unit apartment building with a rooftop terrace, he added.
“We wanted to stay in Germantown,” said Moore, who has been teasing the move on social media for months, but finally released the news in an Instagram post earlier this week.
Uncle Bobbie’s new neighbors include the Johnson House, the Historic Germantown site once an Underground Railroad Station. The energy around the new space, Moore said, will bring tourists and foot traffic.
Uncle Bobbie’s has established itself as one of the premiere bookstores in the city, hosting the country’s most sought-after authors at sold out appearances; from scholar Ta-Nehesi Coates' 2024 Girard College appearance to former presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ appearance at The Met in partnership with Uncle Bobbie’s last year, as part of the book tour for her memoir, 107 Days.
In February, Uncle Bobbie’s partnered with Green Street Friend’s School to host Tayari Jones, whose newest novel Kin debuted third on the New York Times bestsellers List and is Oprah Winfrey’s current book club pick. Last month Uncle Bobbie’s collaborated with Enon Baptist Church for a visit with Jalen Hurts. The Eagles quarterback debuted and signed copies of his new children’s book Better Than a Touchdown.
At Uncle Bobbie’s current location at Germantown Avenue and School House Lane, book events are capped at 20 people, Moore said. In its new location Uncle Bobbie’s will be able to offer more books, host authors for larger events, expand the cafe, and the store’s community programming.
On April 14, Uncle Bobbie’s will host former Columbia University adjunct professor Erica Hart at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts to discuss Nasty Work, her memoir that delves into her sexual liberation research. Scholar Brian Jones will be in conversation at Uncle Bobbie’s with Philadelphia educator Ismael Jimenez on April 16 about his new book Black History Is For Everyone.
“We are excited to be in a position to grow, bring people together and read great books,” Moore said. “Most importantly, we are excited to further and deepen our ties in Germantown as a community hub.”
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books is currently located at 5445 Germantown Avenue.