The Delightfully Quirky Arizona Bookstore That Belongs On Every Reader’s Bucket List
I can never pass a bookstore without stepping inside, even when I promise myself I am only going to look.
This Arizona shop is exactly the kind of place that makes that promise impossible to keep. The shelves are filled with new titles, old favorites, local stories, unusual subjects, and books I would never think to search for online.
That surprise is what I love most. You can follow one interesting spine after another until an hour disappears and your hands are suddenly full.
There is personality in every corner, along with the comfortable sense that serious readers are welcome to browse without rushing. Nothing seems arranged to push you quickly toward the register.
I would happily spend an entire Arizona afternoon here, checking the lower shelves, reading back covers, and convincing myself that one more book will still fit at home.
This is the largest independent bookstore in the Prescott area, and it has been turning casual browsers into devoted regulars since 2012.
This article takes you through everything that makes this bookstore one of the most memorable stops in all of Arizona.
A Building With More Lives Than A Cat
Before a single book ever touched its shelves, the building that houses Peregrine Book Company had already lived several remarkable lives.
Built around 1910, the structure started out as a street car garage, which explains those soaring high ceilings that still make the interior feel so airy and grand today.
Over the decades, the same walls sheltered the Arizona Mining Supply Corporation, the Arizona General Supply Company, and eventually Stockman’s Bank. Each chapter of the building’s past left something behind, whether in the bones of the architecture or the stories locals still tell about it.
When founders Ty Fitzmorris and Michaela Carter took over the space, they leaned into that history rather than erasing it. Exposed trusses were kept visible, the original wood floors were preserved, and the design drew inspiration from Seattle’s beloved Elliott Bay Book Co.
The result is a bookstore that feels authentically rooted in place, where every creak underfoot reminds you that good stories have always lived here.
Even before you open a book, the building gives you plenty to notice. Its long history adds another layer to every quiet hour spent browsing the shelves.
The Origin Story Behind The Name
Not every bookstore name carries this much weight. The word “peregrine” has two layers of meaning that Ty Fitzmorris found impossible to resist.
First, it refers to the peregrine falcon, a bird Fitzmorris had monitored for the National Park Service, giving the name a personal and deeply felt connection to the natural world.
Second, and perhaps even more fitting for a bookstore, “peregrine” also means “having a tendency to wander.” Reading is, after all, the most affordable form of wandering ever invented.
You can cross continents, travel through centuries, and visit worlds that have never existed, all without leaving your favorite chair.
That dual meaning quietly shapes the entire atmosphere of the store. Customers are not just shopping; they are being invited to wander. The falcon logo perched above the entrance serves as a daily reminder that great books take you places.
Fitzmorris built a name that works on multiple levels, and that kind of thoughtful intention shows up in everything the store does. The name turns every visit into a small journey, even when you never leave the building.
It also gives the bookstore an identity that readers are unlikely to forget.
How An Independent Bookstore Rose From A Closure
When the local Barnes and Noble closed in Prescott, it left a real gap in the community. For a town with a strong literary culture and a population that genuinely loves to read, losing a major bookstore felt like losing a neighborhood landmark.
That closure, however, turned out to be the opening that Peregrine Book Company needed. Fitzmorris and Carter moved quickly, and the departing Barnes and Noble even donated some of its in-store fixtures, several of which Peregrine still uses today.
The founders also reached out to the team behind Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, gaining valuable guidance on how to run an independent shop well. Tom Brodersen, a Changing Hands alum, stepped in as Peregrine’s first general manager.
That combination of community support, mentorship, and sheer determination gave Peregrine a foundation that many new businesses never get.
Opening in 2012, the store quickly established itself not just as a replacement for what was lost, but as something far more interesting and personal than a chain store could ever be.
Inside The Store: More Than Just Books
Walking through Peregrine’s front door, the first thing you notice is how much personality is packed into the space. Yes, there are books everywhere, arranged thoughtfully across genres from literary fiction to local Arizona history, but the store never stops there.
Gift shoppers will find unique stationery, handmade greeting cards, charming trinkets, and stuffed animals that make even non-readers want to linger.
For collectors with a taste for the rare, a locked cabinet holds antique and rare books that feel like little treasures waiting to be discovered.
Comic book fans are equally well served, with a strong selection of anime titles, graphic novels, and related merchandise including T-shirts and posters. The children’s department deserves a special mention.
It is stocked with learning toys, stuffed animals, and a weekly story time that has become a beloved ritual for local families. Peregrine also supports Arizona artists by displaying and selling local artwork, cards, prints, and original pieces throughout the store, making every visit feel like a small gallery experience too.
The Atmosphere That Keeps People Coming Back
Some stores feel transactional. Peregrine Book Company feels like a conversation. The moment you step inside, the warm lighting and exposed wooden beams create an atmosphere that is both spacious and surprisingly cozy, which is not an easy balance to strike in a large open floor plan.
Regulars describe the vibe as delightfully quirky and wonderfully weird, two qualities that are clearly worn as badges of honor by the staff.
The worn wood floors creak softly underfoot, the kind of sound that immediately slows your pace and invites you to take your time. Large windows let natural light pour in, so browsing never feels like a chore.
The store was designed with the explicit goal of making people feel welcome and encouraging them to stay as long as they like. That philosophy comes through in every detail, from the layout of the shelves to the friendly staff who genuinely know their inventory.
Visiting Peregrine is less about running an errand and more about spending time somewhere that actually cares about books.
Community Events That Make This Place Truly Special
A bookstore that only sells books is only doing half its job. Peregrine Book Company takes the other half seriously. The store regularly hosts author events, readings, and signings that bring writers face to face with the readers who love their work, creating moments that no online shopping cart can replicate.
Monthly spoken word open mic nights give local voices a stage, and the energy in the room on those evenings is electric in the best possible way.
Book clubs meet regularly, including the Astrology Chat book club and the Prescott Esoteric Friendship Circle, two groups whose names alone suggest the store attracts a wonderfully eclectic crowd.
Workshops round out the calendar, ensuring there is nearly always something happening beyond the daily routine of buying and browsing.
The customer base reflects that variety perfectly: locals, tourists, and retirees all mix together in a space that feels genuinely inclusive. Peregrine has built something that functions as a true community hub, and that is far rarer and more valuable than simply being a place to shop.
Practical Tips For Planning Your Visit
Planning a visit to Peregrine Book Company is refreshingly straightforward. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and on Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Free on-street parking is typically easy to find nearby, which is a small but genuinely appreciated detail in any downtown area.
The address is 219A North Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 86301. Downtown Prescott is highly walkable and packed with other interesting stops, so it is worth building a few extra hours into your visit to explore the surrounding historic streets.
Fitzmorris also owns the Raven Cafe just five doors away, making it easy to pair a morning of browsing with a good cup of coffee.
Prescott sits in the mountains, which means the weather is noticeably cooler and more seasonal than the desert regions most people associate with Arizona. That mountain setting makes a bookstore visit here feel especially cozy in the cooler months.
Whenever you go, give yourself more time than you think you need, because Peregrine has a way of making an hour disappear.