Under the Umbrella Bookstore

Excellent book selection, tons of local art and funky accessories, the staff was so knowledgeable and nice, and they're so connected to the community. We live about an hour away and we drove out for our book-loving tween to enjoy a space that she felt comfortable and represented in. It was instant love the second we walked through the doors. This book store is worth spending time in!

What a great bookstore! They were so helpful getting books ordered for me and letting me know when they were ready. Easy pick-up option. Inside is so cute! Tons of awesome books and other trinkets/clothes/accessories/etc. in the shop. Workers are very friendly and make great recommendations. Definitely will continue to shop here!

I love this bookstore! Extra points for being so close to public transportation and wheelchair accessible. Beautiful selection of thoughtfully curated books, along with lots of very cute accessories. It feels so good to be in such a safe, affirming and community minded space.

Lovely LGBTQ owned Bookstore. I've ordered online and shopped in person. Staff is small but amazing. Great to work with and a good selection of books. I recommend stopping in. There is also a Cafe area but we didn't visit it when we stopped in, but it looks good.

Pleasantly surprised by the selection of qpoc focused stories. All the books are flagged by bookmarks based on the more specific communities they might resonate with or may represent. Also lots of cute postcards and things like that. Very cool bookstore, I will be returning and buying from them online.

We have a rack of gender and size inclusive undies and clothes at UTU and love working with them!

This little bookstore makes my heart so happy. We hit this bookstore specifically in search of queer books but found so much more! They have coffee mugs, stickers, apparel, and so many other things. I'm definitely planning on supporting them through their patron program and heading back again when I'm in town. 🏳‍🌈

Your one stop shop for all things queer! There are products that fit every taste and budget. You can find art, educational materials, crafts, decor, flags, stickers, candles, tarot cards, and books for people of all ages and backgrounds. There are discounted used books and even a tiny free queer library you can borrow from. You can even rent one of the meeting rooms at reasonable rates for clubs, events, D&D sessions, and more. This is a safe and affirming space where anyone can be themselves. I'm really grateful for the continued mask mandate, which contributes to the shop being a place where people can stay safe and healthy while enjoying the many wonderful things the shop has to offer. Masking is a small gesture that goes a long way in making UTU an accessible and welcoming space for all.

Great cozy little bookstore with all sorts of easily categorized, queer literature. And Kaitlyn (the owner) is really good at giving one-on-one customer attention to offer personalized suggestions; the rest of the staff are similarly very friendly and helpful. A must-stop for anyone looking to get connected to queer literature.

My fave bookstore. This place not only feels safe and hosts amazing community events but is also so extremely well-curated it’s bonkers. Great for gifts, great for browsing, great for if you’re looking for something in particular….great for everything! Love you UtU!!

This bookstore fills a hole in Salt Lake City as a queer community center. Our pride center does not have the greatest reputation so I am very glad that a place like this exists to fill the gap. The owner is someone who seems like they genuinely care for the community and many initiatives to help out unhoused people as will as other minority groups are run through the book store. The store also hosts many Queer Markets for local queer makers to sell their goods. These are always fun and I look forward to them every month or so. The store has a somewhat limited stock, but this is explainable since it has not been around for long, but I am sure as time goes on there selection will only grow.

Wonderful indie bookstore!

I love buying from UTU because I'm supporting a vital community resource. This shop is, of course, a great place to buy books by and for queer people, but Kaitlyn & co also offer a safe and warm place for the queer and queer-affirming folks to gather, organize, rest, and learn. There's a serious lack of community-building infrastructure in our country, and in Utah specifically, so it's great for a city as queer as Salt Lake to have a unique bookstore like this.

I'm a little bit of a picture book aficionado, and I've been really impressed with the selection of kid lit available. Great books for introducing both general and specific queer topics to kids!

I also love that UTU takes public health seriously, even though most businesses and individuals are no longer taking proactive steps to mitigate the spread of covid and other airborne diseases. It feels good to be in a place where people show they care about others, especially those with disabilities and chronic illness.

TLDR 10 out of 5, would recommend!

Under the Umbrella is such a great local book store and I wholeheartedly recommend it to both locals and visitors.

I've been a frequent visitor to the store as they have so much to offer: they have a variety from adult fiction and nonfiction, YA, to children's books! They also sell cute stickers, patches, and pins, and other goods from local artists or other LGBTQ+ artists that vendor here and I just love the variety. This is a great spot for shopping for unique gifts and always think about what I can get a friend or family member here. The store is easy to navigate and designed for accessibility and also very clean. Even the gender neutral bathroom is one of the cleanest I've been in! Kaitlyn, the store owner, treats every customer with amazing service, understanding, and friendliness. They are an incredible person!

Not only is this place a great store, but an amazing community hub. They do more than books - they host great events, book clubs, now have a cafe as of November 2023! I can't forget to mention I had one of the best iced vanilla lattes with oat milk here! They provide coffee and goods from other LGBTQ+ businesses like tea, their coffee beans, and their baked goods. For example: vegan breakfast burritos and gluten-free tiramisu! What more could you ask for to create a cozy bookstore experience? Bring your latest book purchase in and read it over a nice cup of brewed coffee! I know I'll be finding the time to work remotely in the cafe soon.

Please note: they are requiring masks for all patrons in the shop area, but they have free ones available if you don't have one. The cafe section is separate from the bookstore, so please bring a mask or take a free one when you walk in. Please respect this rule as it's to help others and for the overall health of all customers and volunteers that help out with the store!!

The minute I walked in I knew I was in trouble. There were so many books on topics I have passion for and way too many accessories that show off my own personal style and let people know I'm proud to be me. I was greeted and assisted by two nice and helpful folks. Great store!!! I'll be back.

I finally got a chance to browse, and then enjoy a delicious Chai in the cafe with a friend. I am floored by the amazing, beautifully curated selections of intersectional, queer, books. Along with thoughtfully sourced "queer flair." All of this comes together with a lightness and joy in presentation that is palpable. Every detail and consideration has been made for the inclusion and care of its whole community, to a degree that I find moving. This is not simply a bookstore and cafe its a masterpiece of a community space.Go here. Feel something, get a real good book. Have tea.

THE best bookstore in salt lake!! Such a lovely environment with lovely people! And now they have coffee?!? Can they get any better? No cause they’re already the best <3

Awesome fun with personality—packing so many, diverse LGBTiA+Queer voices/books/materials with great coffee. A must visit in SLC for everyone!!!

Under the Umbrella is part of my coming out story. It’s the first place I felt safe enough to ask if I could go by pronouns other than she/her. It’s where I bought my first she/they and then they/them pin. It’s where I bought I book about autism and transness when to help my spouse when they were struggling with their new diagnosis. It’s a safe place in a state where we have to fight for acceptance. It’s where I find sapphic book recommendations, and new ways of seeing my place in the world. I love the events they hold and how they work to make the world a better place for queer people. Screw Amazon, I only buy my queer books here.

Such a fantastic place to spend some time and pick up a few books. The owner is amazing and you can really feel the love they put into this bookshop every time you step through the doors.

In a city with a lit of great bookstores, UTU stands out. A well curated book selection plus stickers and art, much of it local. They're very community minded and live up to their values.