After six years in the making, Zora’s Place — Evanston, IL’s first Black feminist bookstore for all ages — has become a reality for L’Oreal Thompson Payton.
Following a soft opening, her dream officially launched on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, with a grand opening at its pop-up location in The Aux Wellness Collective community space. According to WBEZ Chicago, the 700-square-foot pop-up space on Washington Street will run for at least six months.
“Zora’s Place is really my love letter to the community — for Black women, Black and brown children, Evanston, and anyone who wants to feel safe being their full, authentic self,” Payton told WBEZ Chicago.
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Payton’s family has been there every step of the way. According to WBEZ Chicago, her husband, Jeff, is director of operations, handling everything from assembling bookcases to setting up furniture. Their 3-year-old daughter, Violet, proudly takes on the roles of junior bookseller and assistant store manager.
The bookstore’s name pays homage to Payton’s own all-time favorite book, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” by Zora Neale Hurston, reports WBEZ Chicago.
Payton told the outlet that Zora’s Place is rooted in diversity and equity principles which are “under attack” by the Trump administration’s recent policies. The bookstore is a “safe place” that reflects the values of Evanston, a city that she describes as progressive and liberal.
The shelves are stocked with over 150 works — spanning fiction, nonfiction, self-help, and spirituality — by Black women, including Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. It also has selections from feminist Black men and gender-expansive authors who amplify underrepresented voices.
Through books and a goal of empowering the community, the bookstore will serve as an inclusive gathering space, hosting events including family story times and author talks, WBEZ Chicago reports.
“It amplifies the voice of Black people in a time when you see more and more Black books being put on a banned book list and our history being erased or told incorrectly. It creates an opportunity to tell our truth.” Payton said of Zora’s Place, per WBEZ Chicago.
How Zora’s Place Went From Dream To Reality
Payton first connected with The Aux’s owner, Tiffini Holmes, on June 6, 2019 — shortly after returning from a weekend reading retreat in New York with friends, according to WBEZ Chicago.
When Payton returned home, she met with Holmes to discuss teaching yoga at the Black-owned community hub. However, during their conversation, Payton shared her vision for a feminist-focused bookstore. That same afternoon, she sent over a business proposal and launched a crowdfunding campaign just weeks later.
With 161 donations at the time of writing, Zora’s Place has raised 45% of its $25,000 goal, according to its Givebutter campaign. Over $1,600 went toward book inventory, with remaining funds covering leased space, registration, children’s furniture, and decor — prioritizing products from Black woman-owned businesses, WBEZ Chicago reports.
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Holmes has provided mentorship to and worked out a flexible lease with Payton, who offers pro bono yoga classes and serves as events manager in exchange for reduced rent. She doesn’t pay anything for the first three months, pays half of $1,500 for the next three, then will pay full rent afterward, per WBEZ Chicago.
Plans are also underway for a custom mural by Chicago-based artist Janel Young, which requires additional funding.
“I definitely see this being an intergenerational space where everyone — from the babies to Grandma — can come and curl up with a good book,” Payton said, as WBEZ Chicago reported.
“You walk in and know that you’re buying or supporting a Black writer, entrepreneur, or creative artist,” Payton continued.
