Firestorm Books & Coffee

Category:	Book Store
Address:	610 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806, USA
Phone:	+1 828-255-8115
Site:	firestorm.coop
Rating:	4.2
Working:	Closed 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 16

Elizabeth G

The new space is amazing, well lit, open, and fresh feeling. The worker owners are wonderful and friendly, not pretentious or rude. The book selection is so extensive and appealing that I pretty much buy a book every time I go in. They now carry a much wider selection than at the old location, including awesome fiction, classics, assigned readings for school go-ers, cookbooks, and childrens books. And for anyone complaining about the slightly higher prices than other similar coffee shops...please note that TIPS are included in the prices, which ensures that everyone gets paid regularly and evenly. Firestorm worker owners currently make $9 an hour, as opposed to many coffee shops that only pay $3-5 plus tips. However no one talks about that because at other coffee shops, employees can get fired for talking publicly about wages. I would much rather spend an extra dollar on my coffee to support a business where everyone gets paid evenly and equally, and none of the employees work under the stress of having to act or dress a certain way to get "better tips." Also this place makes a bangin almond milk latte. And the bake bloc cupcakes are to die for. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Logan Yerbey

As I sit here I am aware of two things. I stumbled across this place in a back alley making it feel a shop more for the locals. This makes the homely appearances of this cafe much more appropriate, however it seems as though the employees are more interested in hanging out and organizing events rather than cater to their customers. I managed to hang out behind a guy for about three or four minutes before I was recognized. Granted he was in line, but he was discussing coming here to play music rather than ordering food. I feel like that should be discussed with an employee not at the register. However, I must admit the coffee here is pretty awesome, so much of this is excusable, especially when considering the atmosphere here from the employees to customers is very casual and laid back. Try it out, if you arent put out by its location.

Mindi Schneider

I love bookstores, and this is without a doubt one of the the best bookstores Ive ever visited! Their selection is carefully curated, offering books you wont find other places, and books you never knew you needed. They also carry a good selection of local artists work, including cards, prints, calendars, poetry, and magazines. The store itself is comfortable and welcoming. With the attached cafe, you can have a coffee, take a seat, and settle in with a book on gardening, food politics, race theory, intersectionality, political history, or soap making. My friend and I spent 3 hours at Firestorm on our trip through Asheville, and left wondering why we didnt have our own Firestorm at home!

Willa Dong

This is one of the places I recommend to every friend traveling to Asheville. Very local and unique. Cafe - Extensive selection of vegan espresso drinks. I also REALLY enjoyed the cold brew. Bookstore - Clean, charming and welcoming space with a carefully curated book selection. Books can also be ordered over the phone. When my local bookstore didnt have a copy of a book I was looking for, I called Firestorm to place an order. Customer service was friendly and efficient, I received a student discount, and the book was shipped really quickly.

Lila B

The coffee was good, the bagel was great, but they were out of the vegan cream cheese when I went. That was most of my reasoning for choosing this place for breakfast. The cashier was short and rude to my friend and me, and we eventually got a half-hearted sarcastic "sorry" about being out of stock for one of the 3 items on the menu. I didnt get a chance to peep the books, but the layout and decor of the place was cool. But holy moly customer service was unpleasant!

James Robbins

Got more of a collectivist and social justice feel from here. Perhaps Im too mainstream but they did not have any David Friedman, Christina Hoff Sommers, and just one Wendy McElroy (Not even a womans right to pornography). No Erin Pizzey, Karen Straughan, Jack Donovan, Thomas Sowell, or Rolan Fryer. (Quinn and Sarkeesian were featured on the new arrivals table, yikes) But the anarchist and individualism seemed to be pretty prevalent. Id love to do more exploring.

Sam G

Really delicious vegan food, great books, really cool establishment, etc! Although, theres one specific person who works in the food section who has been extremely cold and rude to me and anyone else who orders every time Ive gone there. Thought she was having a bad day the first time, but damn, its not hard to be sort of polite to people. Like, Ill still go there, and I wont let this one rude person change my opinion of the store, but yikes my dude.

Melissa Wilson

Nice sized menu for a little bookstore. The vegan Philly "cheesesteak" sandwich is phenomenal, and their chocolate vegan truffles are quite a treat. The bookstore selection is pretty slim, however some gems can be found. We try to make it to Firestorm a couple times a year on our Asheville visits. They offer some unique food items, so its worth the trip.

Meagan Honea

Awesome book selection and helpful staff. I visited on our trip from Atlanta a few months ago and cant wait to visit again. I purchased several back issues of feminist periodicals that I had never heard of, as well as some interesting books on midwifery. I think its not a store for everyone, but Im glad it was there for me.

Metaline

Coffee isnt good enough to warrant snobbiness. Bookstore is interesting. Dont think I had the right hipster uniform in order to get any warmth from the star hipster behind the register. Worth checking out but dairy lovers beware- no half n half. Just asked for more almond milk and was met with annoyance. Just lost a star.

Sergey Kalashnik

Terrible book selection. My child doesnt need to know about sex at two years old. (found in children. Section next to the play toys) Thanks but no thanks. For some reason tea didnt taste or smell right for a black tea and the brownie was not typical brownie taste either. A bit bland.

A Private User

Firestorm Cafe and Books most honorably hosts Western North Carolinas official Linux User Group. We are grateful for their hospitality and for letting us use their space twice a month! The bread is good, the desserts are splendid, and the coffees are unique and creatively named.

Hannah Desmond

its okay. They have books for sale. I was looking through the book selection and one of the employees was on me like rice and gravy. He was afraid I was going to steel something??? Wonderful treats to eat, but the staff and sometimes the customers are kind of sketchy.

Daniel Greenfield

Great post-modern vibe. Fits in great with West Ashevilles grungy, hippy feel. Attached coffee bar, free wifi. Browse the classics by Deleuze, Derrida, and Foucault, or else or drop by to hear the local poets read. Its the literary conscience of West Asheville.

Tash Science

Do make time to visit This is Bookstore. It is about a 1200 square ft space. In stock are rare an hard to find books and pamphlets exclusive to only this store I have never see many of these books anywhere else banned books, anarchist books, and many more.

Ami Wilson

I was actually really disappointed with this place. Not so great choice and coffee was average. Dont see a reason to come back. There are many other coffee shops with much better coffee, just not as many with some books for sale or hosted events.