Palimpsest Book Studio to Open in Ybor City
The Kress Contemporary studio will sell books, zines and consignment items when it opens on November 19.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Palimpsest, a book studio located within the Kress Contemporary in Ybor City, opens November 19. The shop offers books priced $7-$25, zines, and select consignment items.
Why it matters
The opening adds a new independent book retailer and programming space to Tampa's Ybor City district. Palimpsest's readings and events are aimed at both readers and writers.
Books at Palimpsest will be priced between $7 and $25, with the studio open Friday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The source does not provide sales projections or comparisons with other local bookstores.
The players
Palimpsest
Palimpsest is a book studio in Ybor City offering books, zines and consignment items within the Kress Contemporary building.
Kress Contemporary
Kress Contemporary is the Ybor City building that houses the Palimpsest studio.
The details
Palimpsest is a book studio founded by Micheal Hooker and Mitzi Jo Gordon, who previously ran the Lector book and wine bar and the Bluebird Books Bus. The studio promotes analog culture through its shelf selection and programming calendar, and is named after a writing surface that bears traces of its earlier form.
Timeline
November 19, 2026: Palimpsest opens in Ybor City.
Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.: Regular weekly open hours.
Market Landscape
Palimpsest adds a small independent book retailer to Ybor City's mix of shops, positioning analog book culture alongside the district's existing retail and dining. The studio's emphasis on nontraditional spaces reflects a founder-led approach rather than a chain model.
Shoppers who want books at a $7 to $25 price point will have a new Ybor City option open Friday through Sunday. The studio's consignment items give local readers another way to buy and sell used titles.
The takeaway
Readers looking for a new weekend stop in Ybor City can plan a visit to Palimpsest after its November 19 opening, when it is open Friday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Checking the studio's programming calendar before visiting can help time a visit to a reading or event.
Further reading
Browse more recent Openings & Closings news across the Tampa area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay.
