Since opening last year, Katy residents Stephanie Pitcock and Julie Foster have transformed Mockingbird Books into a welcoming gathering place, offering customers a safe space where they can connect with others and build community.
The backstory
The two co-owners opened Mockingbird Books last July after spending 18 months planning the business. Pitcock and Foster have been friends for more than a decade and share a lifelong love of reading and books.
When bookstores began experiencing a resurgence following the COVID-19 pandemic, they saw an opportunity in Katy.
“We saw people return to reading, bookstores opening across the country and the rise of book influencers and social media book groups,” Pitcock and Foster said. “At the time, there was only one other independent bookstore in Katy, and we determined our community could support another.”
While choosing a name for the store, the pair settled on the northern mockingbird, Texas’ state bird, while also paying tribute to Harper Lee’s classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Their bird logo is affectionately named “Atticus” after the novel’s iconic attorney, Atticus Finch.
What to expect
The store features leather loveseats, velvet chairs, reading tables and custom bookshelves designed to resemble a home library. Customers are encouraged to linger over coffee, tea or a glass of wine, while reading, working or visiting with friends.
“Many customers tell us it feels like a home as soon as they walk in,” the owners said.
The bookstore was intentionally designed as what the owners call a “third space”—a place outside of home and work where people can gather, build friendships and feel welcome.
“Mockingbird Books was created as a ‘third space’ to gather with friends, meet new people with shared interests, and where everyone feels accepted and valued,” Pitcock and Foster said.
Also of note
While the store primarily sells new books, it also accepts donated used books. Proceeds from those sales support Katy ISD parent-teacher association fundraisers, nonprofit youth sports organizations, reading award programs and other local causes.
The bookstore also offers an everyday teacher discount and regularly donates items for school and community fundraisers. Recently, Mockingbird Books supplied Spanish-language books to a boys' home in Honduras to help build its library.
Beyond books, the store hosts a variety of community events, including book bedazzling workshops, mahjong lessons, floral arranging classes, cookie decorating and author events.
Looking ahead
Going forward, Foster and Pitcock hope to expand awareness of the bookstore throughout Katy and eventually launch in-store book clubs. Long term, they would also like to create a dedicated event space.
