A Black woman-owned bookstore is coming to Illinois!
This September, Evanston, Illinois will welcome Zora’s Place, the city’s only Black woman owned bookstore. Founded by journalist and author L’oreal Thompson Payton, the space will serve as a vibrant hub to celebrate and uplift the voices of Black women authors, artists, and entrepreneurs, Evanston Roundtable reports.
A seasoned journalist, Thompson Payton’s bylines include The Baltimore Sun, Jet, and Ebony. Now living in Evanston, she’s also an accomplished author whose debut children’s book, a biography of poet Amanda Gorman, is set to be released this December. With Zora’s Place, she’s continuing her mission of storytelling by creating a space that centers the brilliance and beauty of Black women and girls.
The name Zora’s Place is a tribute to legendary author Zora Neale Hurston, best known for her Harlem Renaissance classic Their Eyes Were Watching God.
“She is my favorite author, and this is a way to celebrate her while centering Black women at the heart of the store. I really wanted to stay true to my roots and vision,” Thompson Payton said. Her hope is that Zora’s Place will not only sell books but also create space for storytelling, connection, and community.
The bookstore will be housed within the Aux Wellness Collective, a Black owned wellness space dedicated to racial equity and holistic care. With regular offerings like yoga, dance classes, coaching, and community events, Aux is a natural fit for Zora’s Place, bringing together wellness, creativity, and cultural pride under one roof.
As Black owned bookstores experience a national resurgence, Zora’s Place adds to a growing legacy of community spaces that inform, empower, and inspire. And with its intentional focus on Black women, it’s carving out something uniquely powerful for Evanston and beyond.
Cover photo: Zora’s Place to Become Evanston, Illinois’ First and Only Black Woman-Owned Bookstore / Photo Credit: Carrie Jackson