Worker-owned bookshop says demand and events pushed it to a bigger Tucson space
Homeward Books Collective, the worker-owned bookshop that opened in January 2025, announced late last month that it is relocating to a larger storefront at 2921 E. Fort Lowell. The move follows a year of growing customer traffic, expanded programming and logistical challenges at the original location.
The shop was founded by a group of former Bookmans employees — Lillie Watson, Megan Downey, Zach Gotschalk and Manny Gales — who said they wanted to rebuild a book-centered community with a curated selection and a collaborative ownership model. In an Instagram post on June 28, the owners confirmed the relocation downtown, saying the new space is "almost three times the size."
"When people walk in, they feel like they've discovered something, and we've gotten the comments so many times of like, ‘I've never seen these books anywhere else before,'" Watson said.
Owners described the shop as intentionally curated and community-minded. The move is positioned as the next step after hosting larger events and neighborhood markets in their first year. Staff also pointed to the way the team handled setbacks — including what they called a "roof fiasco" that required group clean-up — as evidence of the cooperative’s resilience and close working relationships.
What the change means for readers and the neighborhood
- More room for events: The owners said they’ve hosted increasingly larger gatherings and markets and needed space that can better accommodate those activities.
- Expanded browsing and inventory: Customers and the owners expect a larger footprint will allow a broader, more intentional curation of titles.
- Worker-owned model stays central: The shop will continue operating as a collective, with decisions and labor shared among the founding team.
Since opening, Homeward Books has tried to carve out a niche in Tucson’s book scene by offering titles visitors said they hadn’t seen elsewhere locally. That curation, along with an emphasis on in-person community-building, helped the store gain a following quickly enough that the owners felt they had outgrown the original location.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding | January 2025 |
| Owners | Lillie Watson, Megan Downey, Zach Gotschalk, Manny Gales |
| New address | 2921 E. Fort Lowell, Tucson |
| Relative size | Almost three times the previous space (per owners) |
Context in Tucson’s retail and cultural landscape
Tucson’s independent retailers and small cultural venues have been adapting to shifting consumer habits and demand for local experiences. Homeward Books’ expansion reflects a broader trend: smaller, specialty shops that create events and community ties can find sustainable audiences when they emphasize curated offerings and in-person programming.
For readers and longtime patrons, the move offers a chance for more regular programming, a larger browsing environment and a continuity of the worker-owned approach that distinguishes the shop from chain competitors. The owners framed the relocation as growth rooted in community response rather than a change in mission.
Customers can expect the new location to open with continued emphasis on curated books and community events. The owners have not published a firm opening date in the announcement, but said the larger space is intended to better host markets, readings and other gatherings that have been a key part of the shop’s first year.
As Tucson’s retail scene evolves, Homeward Books Collective’s move will be one to watch: a locally run, worker-owned business betting that investment in space and programming will deepen ties to readers across the city.
