{"id":36924,"date":"2025-11-05T20:24:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T20:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/36924\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T20:24:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T20:24:08","slug":"austins-birdhouse-books-and-gifts-cultivates-inclusive-space-with-books-of-all-genres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/36924\/","title":{"rendered":"Austin’s Birdhouse Books and Gifts cultivates inclusive space with books of all genres"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOwner Abby Strite has a mixed career background from serving as an Air Force intelligence officer in Washington, D.C. to working for tech companies in the Austin area. After 20 years in the job force, she dreamt of starting a community-focused business similar to Rose Apothecary in the TV series \u201cSchitt\u2019s Creek.\u201d<\/p>\n

In September 2024, Strite\u2019s vision came to fruition with the opening of Birdhouse Books and Gifts<\/a> in Burnet Road\u2019s Northwest Center.<\/p>\n

The backstory<\/p>\n

As an avid reader averaging an estimated 100 books a year, Strite decided an indie bookstore was the perfect fit for her local business desires. The inspiration behind the name of the shop came from her goal to create a comforting atmosphere in the space.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want people to come in and feel like they can breathe, like they’re maybe sitting in the tree, reading a book, the birds are chirping around you and there’s light filtering through the leaves and you can feel that peace,\u201d Strite said.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe bookshop leans into its name by selling bird-related books and locally-made birdhouses. (Dacia Garcia\/Community Impact)In addition to being woman-owned and veteran-owned, the business promotes its queer-owned title proudly. Strite said one of the most important missions she has for the store is to offer children\u2019s books which showcase queer representation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it’s healing to little Abby to have representation in a book for 10 to 12 year olds of queer normative worlds,\u201d Strite said. \u201cIt’s something that I certainly didn’t have and I’m very I’m overjoyed whenever a kid gets excited about seeing themselves normalized in books and that’s what we’re trying to do here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TheThe store features a variety of genres including history, sexuality, fiction, nonfiction, Black and Indigenous Voices and more. (Dacia Garcia\/Community Impact)What they offer<\/p>\n

Readers of all genres can find at least one book to peak their interest with the storefront\u2019s sections which include nonfiction, fiction, biography, memoir, cooking, sexuality, history of race, racism and colonization and books featuring cats.<\/p>\n

Customers who aren\u2019t readers can also check out the store\u2019s gift options which range from bookmarks and unique candles to soaps, greeting cards and birdhouses.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they’re not local, they have to be queer, women, people of color or some combination of those three things,\u201d Strite said. \u201cThe focus is that we’re lifting up artists and makers who are traditionally marginalized, who are maybe not the first ones on the distributors’ websites and things that maybe everybody has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"InThe store sells gifts from cards and hair clips to candles and bookmarks. (Dacia Garcia\/Community Impact)In addition to its product offerings, community members can look forward to a variety of events hosted frequently including queer poetry nights, sapphic murder mystery parties, book readings and more.<\/p>\n

The bookshop even has its own mascot, Mae Mae, a small Yorkie who draws in customers by peeking through the shop\u2019s front windows. Passerbys can enjoy watching her stand guard at the front door or go inside to give her some pets while they shop.<\/p>\n

\"BirdhouseBirdhouse Books and Gifts is owned and operated by Abby Strite who brings her dog Mae Mae with her to work and has become a customer favorite. (Dacia Garcia\/Community Impact)The impact<\/p>\n

With all the business\u2019s community ties, Strite said she has a mountain of favorite memories since opening. She shared one in particular about an author, Drew Edwards, who was promoting his graphic novel at the store.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis wife and his baby were here and his little baby, during his book signing, took her first steps,\u201d Strite said. \u201cEverybody in the store turned and cheered her on. It was just one of the most beautiful human moments that makes you feel like this is life. This is what it’s about. This is community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Books Strite is currently reading:<\/p>\n

Hot Desk by Laura Dickerman<\/p>\n

Mother-Eating by Jess Hagemann<\/p>\n

Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman<\/p>\n

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