Why I Built the Gladys Family Membership

My grandmother, Gladys, wasn't much of a reader herself, but she was deeply gifted at making people feel like family, and that's the feeling I've tried to create at Gladys every single day. I'm proud to have built a place that feels like home in an increasingly alienating time for so many of us, that feels like the people who raised me and prayed for me, that feels like the kind of safe haven our elders and ancestors had to create when the world didn't offer them access.


But the truth is, running a small independent bookstore is not easy and the only way we will not become another beloved Bed-Stuy business that had to close our doors is through the sustained support of community. When our basement flooded and we raised more than 50K in just over 3 days, I learned, first-hand, the power of what happens when we show up for each other. It has taken me months to design this membership because I want to show up for you too. I know how hard things are for so many of us right now, and that's exactly why our membership is designed to give you real value back. We are starting with the cornerstone of our offering: either a great book or a great pour, plus discounts you'll actually use, early access to our events, and so much more as time goes on.


Inside our Family Membership program there are two ways to belong. Our Book Club is for the readers, the ones who come for our unique, one-of-a-kind selection and stay for the conversation, built around the literary tradition of Black queer women that Gladys was founded to uplift. Our Wine Club is for the ones who come to sip, to linger, to let a glass of something good open up a real conversation. In addition to that, all members get:early access to our public eventsa discount on all Gladys purchasesa discount on our private event ratesquarterly members only eventsBoth our clubs live under one family, because Gladys has always been as much about the page as it has been about the pours, and this sustaining Family Membership is what makes sure everyone who walks through our doors can feel at home for years to come.


Welcome home, cousins.

You belong here.


-tiffany, Gladys Books & Wine founder

Choose the Right Membership for You

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Monthly curated book pick
Free glass of wine* when you pick up your book
Plus Free Shipping & 15% off all books in our online store
Includes 5 glasses of wine from our menu (20% savings)
Can be shared with up to 1 guest
In-person Book Club discussion
Virtual Book Club discussion
Quarterly In-person Wine Club meet-up
10% off in-store purchases
First access to every Gladys event
10-20% off private event booking rates

FAQ

Find the most frequently asked questions below.

  • Monthly members are billed every month on the date you joined. Annual members are billed once a year and save the equivalent of a free month.

  • You can cancel your monthly plan any time and switch to annual. If you're on the annual plan, you can step down to monthly once your annual term ends. We don't offer switching mid-term.

  • You can cancel any time before your next charge date. Just log in to your customer portal from your first registration email to cancel.

  • We'll let you know when your pick is ready. Just come by the store, grab your book, and enjoy your beverage pairing while you're here.

  • Each month's pick is chosen by us. That's the whole point of the club: you get books you might not have found on your own, all centered on the best of Black women's writing.

  • We don't offer exchanges at this time. May we suggest gifting your copy to someone you love?

  •  Not as a direct gift order, but you can set up your membership with a friend's info for delivery and pickup while paying with your own card. A great way to surprise someone special.

  • Yes, all Gladys Family Member perks start as soon as your membership is active.

  • We'll hold your book for up to a month past your pickup date.

  • Yes, beloved. Join both memberships and enjoy the perks of each. If you decide to be so generous, email us at membership@gladysbooksandwine.com so we can do something really special for you!