Changing Hands Bookstore is turning 50 and you're invited to party in Phoenix, Tempe

Meredith G. White, Arizona Republic
Updated ·2 min read
Merchandise is displayed inside Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe on November 10, 2023.

On April Fool's Day 1974 the original Changing Hands Bookstore opened its doors on Mill Avenue in Tempe. Since then, it's moved to a new location and opened a second location in Phoenix.

Three dreamers with their noses firmly in books took their dream of owning their own bookstore and made it a reality. And 50 years later, Changing Hands has become more than a place to purchase books. It's a community space, workspace, study hall, happy hour meetup, a place to buy gently used books and brand-new best sellers.

Now, Changing Hands is celebrating 50 years in business with anniversary events at its Tempe and Phoenix stores. On Saturday, March 30, you can peruse the stacks with a freshly poured beer, glass of wine or coffee at the Phoenix location or make friendship bracelets and hear live music at the Tempe store.

A limited-edition 50th-anniversary shirt designed by local artist Jon Arvizu will be available for purchase. Everyone will get $10 off a purchase of $50 or more and the first 200 customers who qualify for that promotion will also get a "Reading RX" notepad.

Changing Hands Bookstore anniversary celebration in Tempe

The store is at 6428 S. McClintock Drive. Here are the March 30 anniversary events:

  • 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Friendship bracelet craft for kids.

  • 11:30 a.m.: 50th-anniversary toast with Changing Hands owners Gayle Shanks, Bob Sommer and Cindy Dach.

  • Noon-1:45 p.m.: The Guerrero Family will play music that draws inspiration from Brazil, Mexico and Latin America.

  • 2-4 p.m.: Singer, songwriter and guitar player Walt Richardson, a legend of the Tempe music scene, will perform.

Find your next great read: Best independent and used bookstores in Phoenix

Changing Hands Bookstore anniversary celebration in Phoenix

The store is at 300 W. Camelback Road. Here are the March 30 anniversary events:

  • All day: Happy hour at First Draft Book Bar.

  • 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Friendship bracelet craft for kids.

  • Noon-3 p.m.: DJ Bad Buddhist will spin underground jazz, soul, gospel and alternative.

  • 3-5 p.m.: DJ Rad will spin music from past decades.

  • 5 p.m.: 50th-anniversary toast with Shanks, Sommer and Dach.

  • 6-8 p.m.: Walt Richardson will perform.

Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, as @meredithgwhite, and email her at meredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Changing Hands Bookstore celebrates 50 years in Arizona