CLEVELAND — Independent bookstores are seeing a revival. According to the American Booksellers Association, independent bookstores saw record-breaking growth in 2025.
Social media platforms, specifically TikTok, might contribute to sales.
“Historically, our clientele has been, like the collecting crowd, and folks that have lived in Cleveland and know the space,” Jen Hallaman, the communications manager at Loganberry Books in Shaker Heights, said.
Recently, Loganberry Books has seen a shift in its clientele.
“We’re seeing younger faces and folks who didn’t know about Loganberry before,” Hallaman said.
Loganberry Books is all over TikTok, with creators making fun videos about the store’s books and atmosphere. However, Loganberry Books’ newfound TikTok fame isn’t unique. Creators on the platform have helped promote authors and bookstores through #BookTok, a popular hashtag with over 80 million posts and billions of views.
“You get the sense by looking at an Instagram or a TikTok video that this is a place in your community that exists and that you can go there and participate in it and be part of a third space and meet like-minded people,” Hallaman said.
With the advent of online shopping, brick and mortar stores faced an uncertain future. Now, the internet is breathing new life into bookstores nationwide.