Julia's Cafe & Books

What a great find! The atmosphere is calm, relaxing and welcoming! You can’t beat grabbing a coffee and searching for books at the same time (and for a great cause). Amanda is a gem! I can’t wait to go back!

I stumbled upon Julia’s Café and books by chance. I met AJ as she was making coffees. She took the time to speak with me & was awesome! On the wall, there’s framed inspiring story about Julia & the history of how this place got started. About the coffee: Magnolia which is locally roasted was delicious. I asked if they’re affiliated with the organization next door & she told me they get the books from the donations. Yes, they work with Habitat & all of the proceeds go back to building for habitat. This is a terrific space with lots of room to just cozy up with some delicious coffee & maybe even find a perfect book to take home. I scored “27 views of Charlotte, the Queen city in prose and poetry.” I can’t wait to read it. Check out my pics & the review of ReStore attached next door. What a great setup! Happy Exploring 📍 Josephine Local Guide

I like supporting local products and Julia's Cafe are great. Their coffee I think is above average and the muffins are pretty good. I haven't tried their sandwiches yet but I would go back again and would definition recommend this place. You can buy books for a goodprice. Plenty of parking outside.

I stopped by Julia’s Café & Books on a Friday around lunchtime and really enjoyed the experience! The layout is beautiful, and as someone who loves reading, I appreciated the library aspect and book donation section—it adds such a unique touch. I ordered a matcha and a chicken salad croissant sandwich, both of which were delicious! The only thing I didn’t love was the muffin, as it tasted fairly store-bought. Other than that, the atmosphere was great, and I’d definitely come back. A lovely spot for book lovers and café enthusiasts alike!

A hidden gem for sure! And with sales benefiting a charitable cause as well. The coffee and food selection seems quite broad, and they have different types of cow and plant milk for your dietary desires. My latte arrived hot and tasty, and allowed me to with warm hands! With my coffee I perused the book selection, and it's quite diverse, from children's books to vintage book, even bibles and nutrition options to choose from. I needed up grabbing a vintage historical fiction novel I hope to enjoy from 1945 and in great condition! Definitely a great place to browse, and if you have kids or are in need of childrens books, there are tons at very affordable prices.

Great little coffee shop and bookstore. Plenty of nooks and crannies to hang out with friends, study or get work done. Friendly staff. In the same building as the habitat re-store.

Such a cute little coffee shop/used bookstore! I bought a book, a book cutout, and even had a coffee and a club wrap! The wrap was huge and was really good! For my drink, I had the April Special and it tasted great! For those who collect, there’s also a small section of VHS tapes and some were Disney movies.

This was a pleasant surprise. I've working at Habitat around the Triangle area before relocating here and they do not have cafes attached to them. Yet, this was much more than a cafe (see pictures of food, books, and movies)! The staff, like most Habitat locations, was very friendly and helpful. I learned that in the Charlotte area alone, Julia's cafe receives thousands of books each year which every folks can buy for as little as $1. But they have a special section set aside of rare books. Those books will cost a little more, yet nothing outrageous. Now, they also have movies for sale which looked brand new and perfect for cold days like we have coming up. On the way in or out, don't forget to grab a drink or pastry which looked amazing. I would definitely recommend stopping by!

Great coffee drinks inside a used bookstore benefiting a great cause.. I mean, what's not to love?! Order your drinks at the counter, and the friendly staff will call out when it's ready. We loved the vanilla latte and the iced chai latte (both with oat milk). Quality ingredients and perfectly prepared. They also offer some food for sale like pastries, popcorn, and Raw Bites By Risa (which I've had elsewhere and loved). The vibe is comfortable and inviting. Perfect for perusing the rows of books, DVDs, and other items for sale with a delicious beverage in hand. There are also some tables if you'd prefer to sit and stay a while. We came in just before 9am on a Saturday, and there were only a couple of other people, so it was very relaxing. The shop is affiliated with (and connected to) Habitat for Humanity, so you're supporting an incredible cause - and it's super easy to pop right through the door to check out the ReStore and shop for home goods once you're done with the books!

Freaking HEAVEN!!! I saw this place in Tik Tok and knew I had to come! I drive all the way from Boone NC and I was not disappointed!!! They had so many books and at great prices! I ended up with 6 books but I could have stayed there for hours if I didn't have to go back to Savannah I will be coming EVERY visit to Boone!!!!

I have come here a few times for coffee and books.. both have excellent selections. More recently I have counted on Julias to keep my daughters bookshelf stocked with both newer and classic children's reads. The books I have purchased range from 35cents to $2. They are gently used.. a lot seem to have been donated by classrooms (there are personal notes inside the cover of the books). I have found Dr. Seuss books, The Velveteen Rabbit, and the Little Blue Truck. Each time I leave the store, my hands are filled with books but my total has never exceeded $6 or $7. This is great because I can keep the book shelf stocked and my husband and myself don't get tired reading the same books over and over. I love this place and will continue to spread the word on how wonderful it is.

I did. Loved it. Best little bookstore around. The Restore connected made for a great morning of coffee books and thrifting. Cannot wait to go back!

I stopped by Julia's Café and Books today to see what was in store and really enjoyed its relaxed atmosphere. Upon entering, you are met with drinks and pastries to enjoy while reading. In fact, I found the food very comforting in a room full of books. Signage was easy to follow when looking for a book by genre and I found myself looking at vintage books for some time. There is a true crime section, though it was very small. Should I discover some true crime books I can donate, I will bring them by for donation. Oh yes, Julia's accepts donations, which is always a good thing. I ended up purchasing a crock pot cookbook and a book based on Henry David Thoreau and a couple of sugar cookies (which cost $1.25 ea.). I ate one of the cookies on my 90 minute home and it was quite good! The next time I'm in Charlotte, I'll be back!

Wonderful selection of used books and coffee drinks! Amazing library of gently used books! They have good variety of adult books, nonfiction and children's books and YA books. Loved my ice tea and I want to come again for more treats!

A hidden gem for sure! And with sales benefiting a charitable cause as well. The coffee and food selection seems quite broad, and they have different types of cow and plant milk for your dietary desires. My latte arrived hot and tasty, and allowed me to with warm hands! With my coffee I perused the book selection, and it's quite diverse, from children's books to vintage book, even bibles and nutrition options to choose from. I needed up grabbing a vintage historical fiction novel I hope to enjoy from 1945 and in great condition! Definitely a great place to browse, and if you have kids or are in need of childrens books, there are tons at very affordable prices.

Sweet little cafe overflowing with a huge library of books and music to purchase. It's attached to the Habitat for Humanity Restore on Wendover Rd. I love their hot Chai Lattes.

We came here for the Yelp event but we stayed and explored because of their amazing collection of books, media and coffee. The staff was incredibly friendly and helped us pick a drink while we browsed the store. The best part is not only do they have current catalog of books and they have a ton of rare gems. The section which caught my eye were famous authors and I found Hemingway, Cooper and Shakespeare. While Julia's books is based on donation so their line up is constantly changing they had a ton of Blu rays. DVDs and vinyls of books aren't your thing. We will definitely be back! Thank you for the invite and hospitality!!!

In an area devoid of many businesses besides hardware stores and gambling dens, Julia's cafe is a sweet relief. Taking up a sizable corner of the equally sizable Habitat for Humanity REstore, Julia's has what you need - coffee and espresso drinks in all shapes and sizes. And BOOKS. Used books. New books. Rare books. All meticulously organized and curated and priced reasonably. Plus it's just a cool spot - almost cavernous with a second level with a book nook. Feels more OG than something corporate coffee giant, so I'll be back. Great little spot.

Needed some time to think and a moment to myself to reflect on 2022 and make plans for 2023....and somehow Julia's Cafe and Books is that perfect place today! I love the vibes there, cozy, not bustling and crazy busy, delis egg salad croissant (the very BEST!), super affordable ....and most important of all, they support local non-profit groups like @cakeableCLT (help bridging the gap bw school and the working world for the Down syndrome young adults in our community through teaching them to bake and distribute them in local cafes and shops)! This is where I would want to spend my money ...bc not only I'm feeling my body with delis food, but also feeding my heart and soul with good vibes.

Yummy coffee and cozy atmosphere. Attached to habitat for humanity restore so it's all for a good cause. Good selection of used books to peruse.

Attended due to an Yelp event but who would have known there was a café and books store connected to the Habitat for Humanity Restore. When I first walked up, I thought it was going to be a super small, cute store boy was I wrong. You walk in and immediately see a sign that reads Julia's and how every drink you drink and book you buy makes a difference and it's cute. It houses their drink condiments and napkins. I was in book heaven. They have it organized by categories and genres. It's truly a blessing to have this and ohhh wait their prices are a major deal. I love how all proceeds go to back into Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte. This is truly a hidden gem that I can wait to bring my friends back to. Enjoy a nice drink and buy a book. I ordered their popular brown sugar latte and it's a nice, cozy drink. It doesn't need a lot of sugar. Very flavorful, and of course I had to get a banana nut muffin to go with it. The employees were super nice, gave many suggestions and just helped if someone needed a book, a drink choice, etc. I also loved how quiet it was. It's attached to the Habitat Restore so you can leave from drinking coffee and go shop for furniture or vice versa.

What a neat little discovery inside a Habitat store. Easy to access and parking lot available. Lots of cafe goods as well as books, mostly in the $3-$5 range. Well sorted and alphabetized. Definitely recommend!

Very good iced lattes with good Bev vegan options and iced coffees- very well priced and a cool vibe.

Julia's Cafe is such a simple and cozy cafe that is filled with books, coffee, and pastries! I loved the second level seating overlooking the coffee shop. This was perfect for getting some work done on my laptop. At first, I had a hard time finding it but it is actually connected to Habitat for Humanity! I ordered an iced latte with almond milk. It was good but not up to my taste. I personally enjoy really strong and bitter coffee but this one was a bit watered down (if you like lighter coffee this is for you!). Next time I would consider ordering a good ol' cup of coffee or trying out their nitro brew! I would definitely recommend checking this place out for some books and a place to hang out.

One of my favorite places to frequent. The baristas are awesome and I love browsing the books!

I really liked this place, great variety of books, staff was friendly, and comfy spots inside. My coffee was good too!

This was a really nice place. I was in the area and I wanted to check out this creative spot. I've never been to a place that is in the style of a Barnes and noble but with vintage items. Pretty good place to visit if you're on this side of Charlotte! Oh and the coffee is pretty tasty as well.

Good selection of used books. Well organized and in good condition. I didn't try the coffee so no comments on the cafe.

I found this place via the Offline app - curated list of places to go and events in the Charlotte area. It's attached/a part of Habitat for Humanity. It's a cute little used bookstore with coffee drinks, sweets and sandwiches. I ordered the honey lavender latte with almond milk. It was delicious and about the same price point as Starbucks BUT your purchase supports Habitat. They have a great assortment of biographies, fiction, cookbooks, children books and more! Prices vary but most are less than $5 a book AND you can also save $ by purchasing multiple with the same sticker color. There is plenty of seating and tables for you to eat and hang out. Wander through the doors and you can explore some of the home products too from Habitats Restore. There is everything from home decor to large pieces of furniture. Great spot and definitely worth checking out! You can also donate book and movies. Feel free to drop them off by the front door by the coffee counter.

This has quickly become my go-to spot for meetings or work space when I'm just not feeling the office. It's close to home, comfortable and quiet, with great food and drink options. What more could a girl ask for? Oh, yeah... Throw in the fact that sales benefit Habitat for Humanity! I'm sold! I usually just get a latte (cheaper here than ol' Starbucks) if I'm through in the morning or an unsweet tea and wrap if I'm there around lunch time. The food is sourced from Friendship Kitchen and supports Friendship Trays. I love the Sweet Potato Mushroom Wrap, but you really can't go wrong with any of the offerings. They also have great sweets/baked goods. Looking forward to many future meetings and work sessions hunkered down in a cozy nook at Julia's!

I have definitely found books to buy here. It is a bit expensive for a used bookstore--they have deals if you can find 3 you want at the same price point, but that is hard to do. I find the drinks a bit overpriced and not that good, but the atmosphere for sitting and reading while drinking your coffee is great. Their classics section is obviously stocked by volunteers who love good books and they will price that section lower. That is where I look first. The main thing I want to warn about is what happens to books you donate. About 90% of books donated to Julias get thrown into a bin to be turned into toilet paper. They have a computer program with a scanner that checks every book that might be valuable, and when they find those they are sold at much higher prices on Amazon under a different name. So they accept all book donations hoping to find those valuable books. Then 5 to 10 percent of the books donated are placed in the bookstore and the rest are turned into toilet paper.

First off, Julia was a real woman. She lived her life giving, and that is why her coffee shop is attached to a habitat community store. Literally same building. Located on Wendover. So if your feeling Thrifty, grab a coffee and walk around. Secondly, this is a cozy little coffee shop. It has tons of books! Chess board game. Kids area. Second level seating over looking the coffee shop. I would say it would be a good spot to bring your computer and or work. As for the coffee - I tried a latte $3.50. It was good! They have a good amount of options. They have nitro brew. Lots of syrup flavors etc if that's your thing. Also have pumpkin flavor year round it looks, so I like that lol. They have a grab & go area with kombucha etc. They have salads. They have king of pops. They serve pastries. I'm not positive if bakery items are made in house? But they sell huge sugar cookies for $1. Friendly atmosphere. I'll be back!

As many times as I've been to the Restore I have never walked in this little Book Heaven. It is a book lovers dream. There is books for days, and vinyl and cassettes and COFFEE. I'm still very much old school and only love to read books(not a digital reading fan at all). The papers flipping thru my finger tips is my thing!! This place made me smile. Can't eat to come back because I will really soon.

I like coffee. I like used books. And I like the Habitat for Humanity "ReStore" concept. What's not to love when all three are combined? There isn't a huge selection of books here, but that's okay. I saw quite a few interesting titles and sadly, did not have an opportunity to purchase today. Only because I spent three hours sitting at a table, nursing a terrific Americano and talking with my friend. I'll be back here for sure!

Awesome coffee, food and place to sit and relax. It goes to support a great cause and the book selection is fantastic as well. It is a little tedious to make your own sandwich essentially, but it's not enough to deter you from a great overall experience.

I had no idea that this little gem was tucked away next to the Habitat in East Charlotte. They have curated lots of books from the donation boxes and organized them like a bookstore so that you can easily find what you are looking for. I was there to meet a colleague, and we both had lovely coffee options and found a quiet place to meet tucked in the stacks.

Julia's cafe is a great place to go if you're looking for a cute and quiet place to kill some time. My wife and I went here for the first time and had a good experience. The coffee I ordered was decent. Probably on the level of a latte you'd get at Starbucks. My wife got pasta salad which was OK, not the best but you're not going there for the food. They have a wide selection of books to read while you're there and since all the books are used, they are very cheap if you choose to buy them. All the employees are very nice and Will great you with a smile. I recommend this place to anyone that loves small cute cafes and wants to get lost in a book!

Everything about Julia's a lovely! The folks working there are so pleasant and there's always a creative latte on their menu. I almost always order whatever the latte is the special creation when I'm there and I've never been disappointed. Ever. The pastry options are also really good. There are bagels , sandwiches, muffins, cookies and more. I have had really great muffins. Like, great. The coffee is great, and so are the selection of books. I've found some gems including classics there. The other thing I love is the upstairs space. It's perfect for working for a bit. I really enjoy spending an hour or two drinking coffee and working on emails in their space.

Great coffee shop and supports a great cause. Not a ton of seating, but you can browse the used book selection or the Habitat restore.

How have I lived in Charlotte for 6 years and just recently started coming here?! This could be easy to miss as it is attached to the Habitat for Humanity building. It's both a cafe and book store, affordable book store at that! They have clearance sections/books, the cutest little children's book, and every genre of book you could imagine. If you're looking for a good deal and some good coffee, this is your spot!! Nothing better than browsing a good book store on a Saturday morning.

Their iced brown sugar latte is delish! Always fast, kind and convenient. Always a go-to!

This place was such a cool find. I really enjoy the small, quaint atmosphere and the selection of books and vinyls as well. My issue with a lot of places is that they assume that more = better, but oftentimes, too many options can overwhelm a customer. This spot has a small selection of books and vinyls that leave you feeling like you got good stuff without spending 2 1/2 hours in the store and you only made it through half. If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE Barbra Streisand fan. Well, you would think that this place has stock in Barb's estate because I got over TEN Barbra records, many of which I had no idea existed, for $1 each! It was as if when I found one, the rest just came filing out of the wooden shelves like a family of termites!!!! Whew!!! 4 stars though because the coffee wasn't my particular taste. I like strong coffee that is extremely sweet and mine tasted a bit watered down. If I could rate 4.5 stars I would. I will definitely be back!

I love Julia's Cafe! It's connected to the restore and has used books inside to browse. They carry great baked goods from Novas bakery too. I usually get the iced white mocha and it's always made well. The staff is super friendly. Bathrooms are cozy and super clean which is much appreciated. Highly recommend stopping here.

So I see Julia (not the person this place is named after, but rather the Yelper) check in here all the time. I saw there was an art opening for an oil painter last week, so I decided to kill to birds with one stone....see the place Julie always goes to and check out some art. It is a cute little place with food, coffee, and art. Folks are really nice and they even have a little upstairs seating area. Books are there and for sale and very well organized. All of this of course benefits Habitat for Humanity...a very worthy cause. The coffee was good as was the art and some place you should patronize and give the big corporate coffee stores a break.

I come here for the cookbooks, the vinyl, and the salads. Julia's Café is a go-to for me when I need a quick lunch or when I want to get lost in cookbook browsing or vinyl nostalgia. Julia's is best known for their coffee and made-to-order drinks. Along with a coffee, a variety of salads, sandwiches, and wraps are offered throughout the day. Lunch options arrive fresh daily around 11:00am. Julia's partners with a variety of local businesses to include Magnolia Coffee Company, Brüks Bars, Nova's Bakery, Secret Chocolatier, and Anderson's Catering. It's easy to miss this place in passing, but once you visit, you'll make it a point to visit as often as possible!

I am all about drinking for a cause (Whether it be hooch of coffee) Add a fabulous book selection to the mix and one word: SOLD! Not sure what I can say about Julia's that hasn't been said but I love that they offer huge iced coffee options whereas alot of local establishments have 16 oz. as their biggest option. This girl doesn't roll with that, I need a 24 oz iced coffee to make me happy. Peruse the titles, get caffeinated and enjoy the atmosphere. This place has a true coffee house feel to it and my only complaint is that I wish they were open 24 hours. Bonus: There is a Home Depot or Lowe's across the street so if you need a contractor, you can pick one up, they are tons just waiting to work! Two birds, one stone.

What a cute little coffee shop! I was in the area and because I like to try local coffee shops I used my trusty Yelp app to see what was nearby. This place popped up first. The reviews were great so I headed on over. This place, as others have stated, is attached to a Habitat for Humanity store. Upon entering it has a warm, funky vibe. The many bookshelves are immediately noticeable. The customer service was prompt and friendly. I noticed a mix of people in there - a police officer, an elderly lady, 2 gentleman sharing a table chatting, some young "Yuppie" type individuals. I ordered the white mocha and it was delicious. There is plenty of seating and parking. I didn't have a chance to peruse the bookcases but if I'm in the area again I'd definitely stop in.

I have to admit, Julia's Café and Books was wonderful. Positive vibes and ambience. Pretty much every thing that we purchased was extra fresh and yummy. The team was extremely pleasant and service is exceptional. I had a wonderful experience here at Julia's Café and Books.

Coffee was decent. Seating was not the best. There's a couch in there that hurts my eyes when you sit at a chair across from it. Otherwise, cute place because I love the books that they stock. And the books are used and very reasonably priced! Will be back!

They have some of the best tasting coffee I've ever had. The workers are great and the book selection is excellent. Very well organized and many genres to choose from. You can donate books here as well. This is a great spot to do some studying, or to meet friends and play some games.

Cool little spot with the best coffee and books. The best. Just go. You will thank me later once you have tons of awesome books and have some amazing coffee.

Julia's Coffee is by far one of the only existing non-chained coffee shops in our area trying to do it right. They source Counter Culture Coffee and while their espresso program has slipped a bit due to volunteer rotation they still put a lot of hard work into their production. If you need a co-working space, a small meeting, an afternoon of a sandwich and some free wi-fi, Julia's has what you need.

There's just something special about Julia's. It is a wonderful place to search for books, get a cup of coffee or bite to eat, or simply setup shop to do work. I've been venturing this way since I moved to Charlotte. There are lots of used bookstores in an around the area, and there is Julia's. Unlike the rest, Julia's is part of the Habitat for Humanity program, so profits directly benefit their mission. Also, unlike the others, they have a team of volunteers checking and rechecking the books to make sure they are in the right place. Very well organized. Since I'm a book fanatic, I love to visit here one or two times a month. Their inventory is always changing so you won't see the same thing visit after visit. I like that. I also like that every volunteer you ask a question of knows what's going on. Most places I visit have a hard time telling me where the fiction and nonfiction sections are. These folks care about what they are doing. I'm not a huge coffee fan, but I like the roasts they have available here. I also like the various sandwiches, yogurts, etc. It's just such an inviting atmosphere. Can't praise it enough. Thanks for the home away from home.

Really enjoyed my visit here. Was only able to stop in for about 20 minutes but next time, I'll be sure to sit down to enjoy a book or study over coffee. Was able to buy 5 books here for $4. The themed shelves are fun and the overall feel is inviting and nostalgic. Will return next time I'm in Charlotte.

I cannot believe that I have never been to Julia's prior to this weekend! What a fantastic find! All proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. We have had Julia's Cafe and Books on my "Charlotte Bucket List" for so long now. As an avid book reader, I had a large amount of books that needed to be donated and, thus, we decided to check it out on Saturday. There is a bin right when you enter. We grabbed a coffee prior to browsing. I got the Harvest Latte with almond milk, which was delish and my hubby got a regular latte. Both drinks were very tasty. The place is fairly small but I thought it was laid out optimally to get the most books crammed in that space! Pricing is based on a colored dot on the book, with the most expensive being like $4.50. Afterwards, I loved wandering the Habitat Restore store. Cute place and amazing cause!

Julia's is so great. The staff is so friendly, the ambiance is casual and rustic and homey, and the coffee and food is really good! In taste and quality! I love that there are several options of where to sit and lots of comfy chairs. This is a great place to go get some good work done. The books are obviously a vital part of the model, but since I went looking for a good coffee shop to work in and not a bookstore, I didn't pay much mind. I did see that the prices are awesome though. Will be back to peruse the selection more closely. Definitely 5 stars!

This is right across from the Home Depot on Wendover, so as I've been spending a lot of time at HD lately, I'm glad to have found coffee right across the street. There wasn't any greeting as I came up to the counter because the two girls there were talking to each other. I wasn't in a hurry so I did stand there for a little bit until they finished talking and then one of them greeted me and said she'd be with me in a minute. This is such a nice little space attached to the Habitat for Humanity RE-Store and I enjoyed the mocha I got there. I shopped around in RE-Store, but I will definitely leave myself more time and check out this charming bookstore next time I go.

A unique coffee shop that is connected to the Habitat for Humanity Restore. The coffee is great, the staff is kind, and the atmosphere is welcoming. You can also browse around in their store where they have plenty of used books and other items. You might come across a hidden treasure for a great price!