New Dominion Bookshop

5. There’s few places more important to me than bookstores because there’s few things more important to me than books. Both my parents are avid readers, and always encouraged me to read anything and everything. One of the first places I fell in love with in Charlottesville was New Dominion Bookstore. Back home, there’s a bookstore I go into whenever I’m stressed or excited and every emotion in between, and once I found an equivalent in Charlottesville I knew this place could be home. This place has grounded me before covid, during long days in my third year when most stores weren’t open, and now on bustling days exploring. A few weeks ago I was going through a hard time, and I told my friends I needed to go feel a book in my hand, and as silly and crazy as it sounds, just walking in and breathing in all of the titles made me feel better. I’m going to miss this place and its quaintness and unique ambiance.