Texas's largest independent bookstore since 1970.
BookPeople has been Austin's favorite independent bookstore since 1970, and at three stories on North Lamar it's the largest indie bookseller in Texas. Its calendar of author events is among the busiest in the country, and it's long been a pillar of the city's fiercely local culture.
A community hub as much as a store, BookPeople is the 2025 Centurion Award winner for Best Bookstore in Austin.
What they're known for
- Largest independent bookstore in Texas
- One of the busiest author-event calendars in the U.S.
- Three floors of books
Customers said it first.
A Centurion Award verifies the public record that’s already there. Read the reviews yourself on the platforms below.
Public-record snapshot as of July 2026. Live ratings are always current on each platform.
Why this business cleared the bar.
This page was published by The Centurion Awards from the public record. Founding cohort: evaluated in 2026 on public evidence available then, labeled 2025. Selection follows the published criteria; BookPeople met them on that evidence. The business can claim the listing or ask us to remove it.
- ✓Years in operation. Operating in Austin since 1970 — 56 years of continuous business.
- ✓Sustained online presence. An established local institution with a consistent public footprint — listings, coverage, and word of mouth in Austin.
- ✓Established customer track record. A deep public track record: Austin has kept BookPeople busy for 56 years.
- ✓Liked by customers and the community. Genuinely beloved by Austin regulars and visitors alike — a bona fide community favorite.
- ✓Recognition in the local community. Named best bookstore in Austin for 2025 as Texas's largest independent bookstore and a Lamar Boulevard anchor for over 50 years.
The specific data behind this award, and the exact thresholds, stay internal so the standard can’t be gamed. Read the methodology.
This page was published by The Centurion Awards from the public record; the business did not have to apply for it to appear. Own this business? Claim the listing to manage it, or ask us to remove it.
Award record
2025 Centurion Award
Best Bookstore in Austin Austin, TX · Awarded under the 2025 evaluationVisit BookPeople
The details, verified.
Clean, checkable facts about BookPeople.
- Legal / trading name
- BookPeople
- Category
- Bookstore
- Founded
- 1970, Austin, TX
- Location
- 603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
- Centurion Award
- Best Bookstore in Austin — 2025
- Record last verified
- July 2026
A signal you can check.
This is a dated award record published by The Centurion Awards after reviewing public evidence for BookPeople against the 2025 criteria for its market and category. The business did not have to apply for this page to appear. It wasn’t voted on or sponsored, and selection is not for sale. The criteria are public. Owners can claim the listing or ask us to remove it. If an award stops holding up, we may revoke it. For anything current, like hours or bookings, go straight to the business itself.
Frequently asked questions.
What is BookPeople?
Independent bookstore founded in 1970, grown into Texas's largest indie and a cornerstone of Austin's literary life.
Is BookPeople award-winning?
Yes — BookPeople is the 2025 Centurion Award winner for Best Bookstore in Austin, a verified, criteria-based award. Named best bookstore in Austin for 2025 as Texas's largest independent bookstore and a Lamar Boulevard anchor for over 50 years.
Where is BookPeople?
BookPeople is in Austin, TX.
Run a business like this one?
If you’ve put in the years, you may already qualify. Evaluation is free, private, and never for sale.