The best book, hobby & craft shops in Providence

“If your night needs a novel and a Negroni, Riffraff Bookstore and Bar delivers with shelves that favor indie presses, translations, and marginalized voices, plus frequent author readings and community events. Olneyville locals know it as the spot where pages, pints, and good conversation mingle.”

From the Providence newsletter, September 16, 2026

“Rhode Island College Bookstore is more than textbooks. The Course Materials Concierge gets you the right books without guesswork, while the Spirit Shop, tech, calculators, notebooks, dorm basics, snacks, vinyl, gifts, and diploma frames turn it into a legit one stop for semester life.”

From the Providence newsletter, September 10, 2026

“High Ground Comics is the neighborhood go-to for comics, collectibles, games, and general geekery, with a free-to-join Discord that keeps locals in the loop. They’re active on eBay and Whatnot too, so you can chase finds between errands, then pop in and talk shop.”

From the Johnston newsletter, September 13, 2026

“Creative Reuse Center of Rhode Island turns donated materials into inspiration with memberships, workshops, space to create, and an artist residency. Swing by this week to donate that spare yarn, then scoop up fresh-to-you supplies and jumpstart a project you’ll actually finish.”

From the Warwick newsletter, August 14, 2026

“Longtime champions of the Providence scene, Armageddon Shop curates punk, metal, noise and other left-field sounds, with deep local bins, new and used LPs, CDs and tapes, plus releases on their Armageddon Label. Those email update blasts are clutch... limited runs vanish quickly.”

“P. Lovecraft.”

“Source for art supplies and paper for students and professionals.”