Wandering Into Magic: My Visit to Wijaya House, Tempe’s Tiny Bookshop with a Big Soul
If you ask me, every time you walk into a place where there’s books, it’s like stepping through a portal. It must be the fantasy lover in me.
Yesterday, I walked into Wijaya House, a tiny, quiet, and enchanting bookshop tucked at 1706 E Warner Road in Tempe, AZ.
The moment I crossed the threshold, the world softened. Warm lighting pooled over shelves filled with curated treasures, the kind of books chosen by people who love stories, not just stock them. It’s small — intentionally so — and that intimacy is what makes it feel welcoming. Every corner whisper: “stay a little longer.”
A Bookshop With a Blooming Heart
One of the sweetest surprises? There’s a flower shop inside. Books and blooms sharing the same air. The scent of fresh petals drifting between shelves, instead of coffee adds this soft, romantic layer to the space, like the shop itself is exhaling beauty.
Curated Shelves, Hidden Gems
Wijaya House doesn’t overwhelm you with endless rows. Instead, it offers a thoughtful selection that feels personal. I found indie titles, beautifully bound editions, and a few unexpected gems that made me smile.
And listen, any place that carries V.E. Schwab books is an automatic favorite for me. Instant five stars. Instant loyalty. Instant “I will be back.”
A Perfect Neighbor: Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
And because the universe loves a good pairing, Wijaya House sits right next door to Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant. It’s dangerously easy to imagine a perfect afternoon: buy a book, grab some flowers, then wander over for an amazing meal while you crack open chapter one.
A Little Perk for Supporting Small
Here’s a detail I love:
If you take your receipt from Wijaya House to Garcia’s, you get a small discount.
It’s such a sweet, community‑minded gesture: two local spots looking out for each other and for the people who wander between them.
📍 If You’re in Tempe…
Do yourself a kindness and stop by:
Wijaya House
1706 E Warner Road
Tempe, AZ 85284
🌐 www.wijayahouse.com
Support small shops. Support quiet magic. Support the places that make our reading lives richer.
