The Phoenix Used Bookshop just opened up in downtown Larkspur, and honestly, it feels like Marin County finally has a new spot for kids who love books. They kicked things off on May 13, 2026, at 501 Magnolia Avenue.
The grand opening’s set for May 16, and they’re handing out free treats for kids plus a $100 gift-card raffle. This is Marin’s first and only used bookshop that’s just for children and teens ages 0–16. They want to keep books moving, build community, and avoid waste by making sure every donated book finds a young reader somewhere in Marin, from Mill Valley to San Rafael and beyond.
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A New Chapter for Marin’s Young Readers in Larkspur
Families from Larkspur and nearby towns like Sausalito, Corte Madera, and Novato seem pretty excited about a bookstore built on empathy, sharing, and sustainability. The Phoenix’s mission—books build community, every book finds its reader, and nothing gets tossed in the landfill—really fits with Marin’s reputation for caring about the environment and tight-knit neighborhoods.
Right in downtown Larkspur, this place isn’t just for buying books. It’s a space where parents, grandparents, and kids can actually talk about reading, learning, and what’s happening locally in Marin.
The Phoenix Used Bookshop: A Kids-Only Haven
The shop gets its entire stock from community donations—Marin families, estate sales, downsizing neighbors, you name it. They accept every donation, no matter what. The shelves are packed with titles just for children and teens ages 0–16, making it Marin’s only used bookstore focused on younger readers.
The hours work for busy families: Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m.–4 p.m. There’s a nap-time break from 1–2 p.m. on weekdays. They close on Mondays and Tuesdays, mostly to handle donations and take a breather with family.
They welcome book donations Wednesday through Sunday. That keeps a steady stream of fresh stories coming in for kids around Fairfax, San Anselmo, Tiburon—basically, anywhere in Marin where young readers are hunting for picture books, chapter books, or middle-grade adventures.
Founder Spotlight: Stef Tousignant
Stef Tousignant is a Marin mom with two teenage boys and a lifelong love of books. She’s got a Master’s in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research kept leading her back to the same thing: books help families and communities thrive.
Stef’s convinced that reading together builds empathy and strengthens local ties—so she’s poured those values into The Phoenix’s mission. She’s even documenting the shop’s journey in a diary-style podcast, A Bookshop of My Own. It’s full of her real-time decisions, mistakes, and wins as she builds Phoenix from the ground up. Down the line, she’d love to expand into a full-size used bookshop for readers of all ages and give Marin even more access to affordable, well-loved books.
Why This Matters for Marin County
People all over Marin—from Ross to San Anselmo—know that small, community-backed spots can make a big difference. The Phoenix fits right in with Marin’s focus on sustainability, education, and civic engagement. It gives families a local alternative to online shopping or big-box stores.
By channeling donations into a children’s-only shop, they cut down on waste and help keep kids reading all over Marin, including Corte Madera, Mill Valley, and neighborhoods right next to Larkspur. For families countywide, The Phoenix offers a simple way to give back: donate gently used children’s books, encourage more kids to read, and join in on a neighborhood tradition that treats reading as something everyone shares. It’s the kind of thing towns like Sausalito and Fairfax might want to make part of their daily lives, too.
How to Support and Visit
Here’s how you can get involved with The Phoenix Used Bookshop and help it thrive across Marin County:
- Donate children’s books Wednesday through Sunday. Fresh titles keep the shelves inviting for all ages.
- Tell fellow Marin families in Tiburon, San Rafael, and San Anselmo about this unique, kid-focused bookstore.
- Come to the grand opening on May 16. There’ll be free treats and a $100 gift-card raffle for local readers.
- Check out Stef’s podcast, A Bookshop of My Own. It follows the shop’s journey and sparks ideas for community-driven projects.
- Volunteer or partner with schools in Mill Valley and Corte Madera. Host book-inspired events and get creative with the kids.
Maybe you’re a Marin parent in Larkspur. Or a teacher in San Rafael. Or a grandparent in Fairfax. The Phoenix Used Bookshop gives Marin’s kids a real shot at discovering books in a sustainable way.
Stef Tousignant dreams of opening a full-size, all-ages bookstore someday. For now, this tiny Larkspur shop could become a real cornerstone for Marin’s literary future—one donated book at a time.
Here is the source article for this story: Now Open in Larkspur: The Phoenix Used Bookshop!
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