When Monica and Rachel first met at a local book club in Northwest Arkansas, they didn’t set out to start a bookstore. They were simply two friends lamenting the lack of an independent bookstore in a region teeming with cultural landmarks like Crystal Bridges. But like the best stories, what began as a small idea grew into something far bigger.
An Idea that Took Root
The seed of Two Friends Books was planted in a casual conversation and sprouted as a pop-up shop. What surprised them wasn’t just how quickly the books sold—it was how people lingered.
“People didn’t just come to buy books,” Rachel recalls. “They stayed to chat, to ask about more events, and to share their favorite reads. It felt like we were creating something more than a shop.”
Nestled now in Bentonville’s 8th Street Market, Two Friends Books is more than a business—it’s a home.
For many, the bookstore feels like a lifeline in a region growing as fast as Northwest Arkansas. New residents often find their way into one of the shop’s many book clubs, sending emails brimming with anticipation: “I just moved here—can I join your group?”
”We’ve created a judgment-free zone, and that’s really important to us.
Rachel Stuckey-SlatonCo-Owner, Two Friends Bookstore
A Place for Connection
“We see friendships form all the time,” Monica says, her voice warm with pride. “Whether it’s parents chatting during story time or someone finding their tribe in a fantasy book club, it’s incredible how much connection happens here.”
Parents especially appreciate the space. Weekly story times are full of kids pulling books from shelves and darting between aisles, their laughter echoing through the store. While some parents might worry about the chaos, Monica and Rachel embrace it.
“This is a space where everyone belongs—chaos included,” Rachel adds with a laugh. “We’ve created a judgment-free zone, and that’s really important to us.”
Bridging the Gap
As Two Friends Books grew, Monica and Rachel began to see a need that extended far beyond their cozy shop. Teachers, librarians, and even women’s shelters would often reach out, asking for book donations. The requests revealed a deeper challenge in the region: access.
“For so many people, owning a book—especially a brand-new one—can feel out of reach,” Monica explains. “And in rural areas, libraries and schools are doing incredible work with limited resources. We wanted to do something to help.”
That’s where the idea for their nonprofit arm began. One of its cornerstone projects, launching soon in Springdale, is a pay-what-you-can bookstore. The concept is simple: anyone can walk in and walk out with a book, whether they can pay full price, a little, or nothing at all.
“If you can afford to pay for a new book, that’s great,” Rachel says. “But if you can’t, that shouldn’t stop you from experiencing the joy of reading.”
”There’s something so beautiful about being deeply rooted in one place, about building relationships that last.
Monica DiodatiCo-Owner, Two Friends Bookstore
Books that Inspire
Their goal isn’t just about affordability—it’s about dignity. They’ve worked to secure funding so the shelves aren’t just stocked with hand-me-downs, but with the latest front-list titles, the kinds of books that excite and inspire.
“We want people to feel like they’re getting something special,” Monica says. “Because they deserve it.”
Books, after all, open doors. They invite readers to see the world from new perspectives, to imagine possibilities beyond their current circumstances. For Monica and Rachel, this belief underpins everything they do.
“Books have this amazing way of expanding your world,” Rachel reflects. “You can travel, learn, and grow—all without leaving your home.
That’s especially powerful in rural areas, where opportunities for exploration might feel limited.”
This philosophy shapes how they run the store and the nonprofit alike. From supporting local libraries to providing free community events, their mission is rooted in creating access—to stories, to connection, and to possibility.
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Monica and Rachel are dreaming even bigger. They hope to bring nationally recognized authors to Northwest Arkansas, shining a literary spotlight on a region already known for its artistic vibrancy. And with their nonprofit’s pay-what-you-can model, they want to see more people experience the transformative power of book ownership.
But at its heart, Two Friends Books remains what it’s always been: a place where people come to feel at home. “We don’t want to franchise or expand in a way that loses what makes this special,” Monica says. “There’s something so beautiful about being deeply rooted in one place, about building relationships that last.”
Two Friends Books may have started as a simple idea between friends, but today, it’s so much more. It’s a space where stories come alive, friendships are formed, and every book on the shelf is an invitation to explore.
