Knoxville TN, October 4, 2025
News Summary
Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe, Knoxville’s first Black-owned coffee shop, is opening its doors on October 11. The café serves coffee and specializes in romance novels from marginalized voices. Owner Anaika Anderson aims to create a welcoming space for the community, featuring diverse literature and educational programs. Proceeds will support local initiatives, including alleviating school lunch debt.
Knoxville’s First Black-Owned Coffee Shop, Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe, to Open with Focus on Community and Marginalized Voices
Knoxville is set to welcome its first Black-owned coffee shop, Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe, which is scheduled to open on October 11. This unique establishment not only provides coffee but also serves as a bookstore, specializing in romance novels that highlight titles from marginalized communities.
The owner and founder of Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe, Anaika Anderson, known as Anya, has a personal story that fuels her passion for this venture. Born in the Dominican Republic, she identifies as an Afro-Latina with Spanish as her first language. Anya learned English within five years, using reading as a tool for language acquisition. She wants to share the joy of reading with her community through a café that earns a living while also fostering inclusivity.
A New Chapter in Life
The concept for Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe arose from a profound period of personal grief after the loss of one of her children two years ago. Inspired by the book Consider Me by Becka Mack, Anderson envisioned creating a peaceful, safe environment that resonates with her experiences. After falling in love with East Tennessee during an initial visit, she made the decision to relocate with her family and put her dreams into action.
Creating a Sense of Belonging
Anderson describes her transition from Central Florida to East Tennessee as a culture shock. She is motivated to create a sense of belonging in a community where she has witnessed the struggles faced by immigrants and people like herself, who have been targeted in media narratives. Through her café, she aims to offer support and camaraderie, particularly for women and children.
Bookstore with a Mission
At Mis Amores, Anderson plans to offer a diverse selection of books, prioritizing those written by and for queer, BIPOC, and disabled individuals. This focus aims to enhance representation within literature and create opportunities for readers to see themselves reflected in the stories they consume. The café will also provide books in different languages to encourage reading among various communities.
Future Initiatives and Community Engagement
Looking ahead, Anderson is developing plans to offer educational classes in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, with a pay-what-you-can model to ensure accessibility. Additionally, proceeds from the coffee shop will contribute to alleviating school lunch debt for local students, reflecting her commitment to the surrounding community. Once the business stabilizes, Anderson envisions hosting a monthly community feeding event to further support families in need.
As she prepares to open her Black-owned coffee shop, Anderson expresses a sense of honor and humility. Her hope is that Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe will pave the way for future Black-owned businesses in Knoxville, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive local economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe open?
Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe is scheduled to open on October 11.
What unique offerings does Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe have?
The cafe serves as a romance novel bookstore, emphasizing titles from marginalized communities.
What are the future plans for the cafe and bookstore?
Future plans include offering classes for English, Spanish, and American Sign Language with a pay-what-you-can model and hosting a monthly community feeding event.
Key Features of Mis Amores Bookshop Cafe
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Opening Date | October 11 |
| Type of Establishment | First Black-owned coffee shop and romance novel bookstore in Knoxville |
| Language Focus | Offers books in different languages, including English and Spanish |
| Community Goals | Alleviating school lunch debt and hosting monthly community feeding events |
| Representation | Prioritizes books written by and for queer, BIPOC, and disabled individuals |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
J.C. Holdway Named One of America’s 50 Best Restaurants
Additional Resources
- WBIR: Knoxville Woman Opens First Black-Owned Coffee Shop
- Knox News: 10 Black-Owned Knoxville Restaurants
- UT Daily Beacon: The Strip’s Newest Coffee Shop
- Google Search: Black-Owned Coffee Shops
- Wikipedia: Coffee Shop
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
