Literarity Book Shop to close after 9 years, leaving cultural void in El Paso

The independent bookstore championed Borderland authors and community dialogue, but rising costs and competition forced its closure.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Literarity Book Shop, an independent bookstore in El Paso's Westside that championed local authors and fostered literary community, will close its doors after 9 years of operation. Owners Bill and Mary Anna Clark cited a mix of business and personal factors in their decision, including rising overhead costs, competition from online retailers, and a desire to move on from what they described as a "deeply personal calling." The store's closure will leave a void in El Paso's literary landscape.

Why it matters

Literarity Book Shop played a vital role in elevating Borderland authors and providing a space for literary dialogue and community engagement in El Paso. Its closure represents the loss of an important cultural hub that connected academic presses, regional writers, and general readers in a city that owners Bill and Mary Anna Clark felt lacked a vibrant literary scene.

The details

When Literarity opened in 2017, it was one of the only locally-owned independent bookstores remaining in El Paso. The Clarks designed the store to be more than just a retail space, aiming to recreate the kind of casual, community-oriented bookstore culture they had experienced in Los Angeles. Literarity prominently featured books by local and regional authors, often hand-selling their work and hosting events to connect them with readers. The store also supported local organizations and causes, and adapted creatively during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Clarks cite rising overhead costs, competition from online retailers, and the inherent financial challenges of the bookselling industry as factors that ultimately led to their decision to close.

  • Literarity Book Shop opened in 2017.
  • The store will close its doors over the next 3 months, offering discounts on books.

The players

Bill Clark

Co-owner of Literarity Book Shop, along with his wife Mary Anna. The Clarks opened the store in 2017 with the goal of creating a cultural hub and literary community space in El Paso.

Mary Anna Clark

Co-owner of Literarity Book Shop, along with her husband Bill. The Clarks opened the store in 2017 with the goal of creating a cultural hub and literary community space in El Paso.

Tim Z. Hernandez

A local poet, writer, and professor at the University of Texas at El Paso. Hernandez's work was prominently featured and supported by Literarity Book Shop.

Jonna Perrillo

A professor of English education at the University of Texas at El Paso and author of the book "Educating the Enemy." Perrillo's work was also championed by Literarity Book Shop.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When one has invested nine years in a venture that is more than just a business, something that is more of a personal mission, a decision like this is never easy.”

— Bill Clark, Co-owner, Literarity Book Shop (elpasomatters.org)

“As an author in this city, there is no other bookstore in this community that has supported its authors more than Bill's bookstore.”

— Tim Z. Hernandez, Associate Professor of Creative Writing, University of Texas at El Paso (elpasomatters.org)

“My own book broke sales expectations many times over thanks to Literarity's tireless promotion. Its closing will leave an enormous gap to fill.”

— Jonna Perrillo, Professor of English Education, University of Texas at El Paso (elpasomatters.org)

What’s next

The Clarks plan to maintain an online presence for Literarity Book Shop as they reflect on the store's future.

The takeaway

The closure of Literarity Book Shop represents the loss of a vital cultural institution in El Paso that championed local authors, fostered literary community, and provided a space for intellectual discourse. Its demise highlights the challenges facing independent bookstores in the face of rising costs and competition from online retailers, underscoring the importance of supporting local businesses that contribute to a city's cultural fabric.