Ampersand Books

Ampersand Books is an independent bookstore at 740 University Ave in Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts. Opened in September 2019, the shop is owned and operated by Writers & Books, a nonprofit literary arts center that has served the Rochester community since 1981. Writers & Books itself grew out of The Book Bus, a mobile bookstore that traveled the northeastern United States starting in 1974 before putting down roots in Rochester. Ampersand Books carries on that bookselling tradition from the first floor of the Writers & Books building.

The store stocks a curated selection of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, with an emphasis on small press titles, social justice–focused texts, and works by local authors. Staff-pick displays and rotating bestseller shelves help visitors navigate the collection. Ampersand Books also sells audiobooks through a partnership with Libro.fm.

Several book clubs meet through the store—including The Book Thieves and the RMSC Eco-Book Club—and members receive 15% off selections. The shop hosts author readings, workshops, and participates in Rochester's monthly First Friday gallery night alongside the Writers & Books programming upstairs.

Ampersand Books is known for its community-driven model: proceeds from certain thematic booklists support local organizations such as the Arnett Library's Readings on Justice collection and the Friends of Ganondagan Historical Site. The store also anchors the long-running Rochester Reads series, which brings nationally recognized authors to the city for public readings and discussions. Its direct connection to Writers & Books gives it access to a year-round calendar of literary programming that few independent bookstores can match.

The bookstore occupies the first floor of 740 University Ave, situated in Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts—a stretch of University Avenue between Goodman Street and the Park Avenue corridor known for galleries, studios, and cultural organizations. An accessible entrance and parking are available on the Atlantic Avenue side of the building. The shop is open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m., with Sunday through Tuesday closures.