Cleveland’s indie bookstores are booming, and this Ohio City shop is carving out a niche in fantasy and sci-fi.
CLEVELAND — Bookstores in America, once feared to be a dying species, are making a comeback.
While the era of massive, big-box bookstore battles has faded, independent shops are stepping up in a big way. In fact, independent bookstores saw a 75% growth in sales last year alone, fueled by loyal readers and curated niche selections.
One of the newest additions to that resurgence is Parallel Universe Bookstore, on West 28th Street in Cleveland.
“We are a specialty bookstore. We focus on science fiction, fantasy, romantasy, and role-playing games,” co-owner Craig Sentatore said.
“We cover all ages, and we’re very new here. We’ve only been here since about October, and it’s been going really well.”
Tucked inside Ohio City’s Hingetown district, the shop is already finding its audience and proving Cleveland readers have a passion for these genres.
“It really does,” Sentatore told 3News’ Mike Polk Jr. when asked if the city supports this kind of culture. “It’s sometimes kind of quiet about it, but I know a lot of people that are really into all of those things, and just the number of people we’ve had coming in has really shown that that is a big core of what people enjoy around here.”
Inside, customers can browse both new and used books spanning a wide range of imaginative worlds.
“We have fantasy — that’s your classic knights and dragons,” Sentatore said. “We have a small section of horror… we have romantasy, which is romance and fantasy put together.”
The shop also leans heavily into science fiction and gaming culture.
“Things like ‘Star Wars,’ things like ‘The Expanse,’” Sentatore explained. “And then we have our gaming section, which focuses very heavily on role-playing games.”
Parallel Universe Books is also focused on building community, which is something many independent bookstores credit for their resurgence. The shop features local authors, hosts events, and even offers interactive experiences for customers.
“Once a month, we clear off this table and we have a learn-to-play session for D&D,” Sentatore said.
Upstairs, customers will find even more to explore, including a used books section. And behind the scenes, it’s a true family operation.
“My wife, Allison, I could not do this without her,” Sentatore said.
Despite being a relatively small storefront, the shop is already drawing visitors from outside the close-knit neighborhood.
“We get a lot of people who are from out of town,” Sentatore said. “It’s a great place. We’re very friendly, and I’m always happy to bring recommendations for new things to read.”
For readers in Greater Cleveland, the message is simple: If you’ve been searching for a place to dive into dragons, distant galaxies, or dice-rolling adventures, you don’t have to look far. Just step into Parallel Universe Books and start exploring new worlds.