My rating reflects the book store portion only. I have not eaten at the cafe. 5 stars. Its simply a lovely little store.

I was there to have Denise Neil sign my book that she wrote. Classic Restaurants of Wichita. The book is wonderful to go thru and remember the great places we had to eat at, which now there is nothing to compare to any of the old Restaurants. Also very nice to meet Denise.

Very rah rah on the feminist bit but they are a solid book store that serves suitable coffee that is still leagues above Starbucks. Only thing I can really say is that I wish they had better baked goods, but they are a bookstore, not a bakery.

So happy to have a local book seller to support. They are friendly and very helpful. Great selection of books and wonderful selection of useful and novelty items. Lots of local interest items. You can order things online or pre-order books and pick them up in-store or curbside. Not to mention their author events. Look forward to being able to sit in the coffee shop again.

A very nice local bookstore. Lots of tlc by the staff with attention to detail. The cage items are delicious.

I hadnt been to Watermark for a few years. I went in looking for a book by a certain author. An employee helped me find it. While browsing, I saw many items that would be good for gift-giving.

Wonderful bookstore. I brought my 4 year old son with me. He immediately enjoyed the toy trucks and behaved so well in the contained children space. He perused the shelves and really enjoyed book shopping. A mothers dream. He picked a book and he was so proud. Im definitely returning to this delightful store.

One of my favorite spots to sit back and relax in the morning in Wichita!

This is a great place for bibliophiles! My conversation with Sarah, the owner, was delightful this morning. She is so knowledgeable about books, authors and publishing. In addition to picking up the book she had held back for me, she stirred my interest in about six books I was not aware of previously. Support independent booksellers...so many books, so little time!

Love this gem of a bookstore! My favorite place!

This store is one of my favorites in Wichita. In a normal year they have lots of author events and other activities like book clubs and story times. I love the selection, plus they have a great website where they offer free store pickup and flat rate shipping. I love the cafe as well! Its such a charming place and a great asset to our community. Plus they have a seasoned readers club which gives you a $10 voucher for every $100 you spend.

So many great books and gifts! They have a nice selection of local books too, and I can get lost in their childrens area. Oh and they have a cafe too! The cafe food is to die for -- especially the Illiad sandwich. They have wonderful tomato soup and the yummy desserts are always a treat. Shop and Eat Local at this Wichita treasure.

Watermark is my favorite bookstore. I could spend all day in here. So much more than just books. Delicious food, coffee, and tea. I am a big fan of their bruschetta. They have so many really cool Knick knacks and all sorts of stuff around the store as well. I always come out with a few books. New ones in all the time! I really recommend stopping by and checking them out if you haven’t. Cutest little shopping center.

One of my favourite places in Wichita. Great staff, always happy to order books for you, and I love the cafe.

Had the books I was looking for. Nice environment. Polite personell.

A large variety of books, cozy and quiet.

My absolute favorite bookstore. A wonderfully diverse selection of books and a knowledgeable and helpful staff. I no longer live in Wichita, but visit every time I come into town.

The most fabulous local bookstore ever. Amazing staff! They make excellent recommendations. The Cafe is fantastic and my favorite place to stop for a bite and a book.

Super cool bookstore with very kind and knowledgeable staff. We also got a delicious iced coffee from the café!

I am always happy to go to my neighborhood bookstore. The staff is wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable and the service is great.

Great books and great food. Get your books here! They have a wonderful rewards program as well called Seasoned Readers. I get to the reward level way too fast.

I really enjoy this bookstore and the cafe. They have been able to order books in for me, which is great to shopmlocal instead of going through some online retailer.

The atmosphere here is incredible and the staff is very helpful.

Watermark is a local gem. We are so lucky to have a wonderful independent bookstore in Wichita. They make me feel so safe and happy

This locally owned book shop is a real gem. Its fun to brouse and look at new titles and grab something from the cafe. Great childrens selection as well, helpful staff.

Friendly and attentive staff. Great lay out and if youre hungry they have a cafe with great choices.

I REFUSE TO PATRON A BUSINESS THAT PAYS POVERTY WAGES!!! IF YOU CANT PAY A LIVABLE WAGE, YOU SHOULD NOT BE IN BUSINESS!

Was a cute lil book store. Cafe and associated study space is closed right now.

Simple food, love the atmosphere of the place. The noise of this place is definitely an asmr trigger for me, so please check this place out if you are into that. It is very relaxing to listen to the sounds of the kitchen with the smell of soup and coffee. Great for meeting people and lunch dates. Also great place to work by yourself if youre like me and work better with background noises and conversation.

Great atmosphere and lovely cashier!

Love this bookstore. If they dont have it, they can get it for you, plus you are supporting a local bookstore

Great spot for books, events and lunch!

Beautiful store with a good selection of merchandise. The employees are very friendly and helpful.

We went in to Watermark for a snack and thought wed look around. After ordering our food we sat down to eat but were told that the dining area was closed, which I thought was odd because there was a woman sitting at the next table eating while on her computer. I dont know what that was about so we took our food over to the bookstore to walk and eat (scone was good, coffee tasted funny). We were then told that we needed masks in order to browse, and if we didnt have one (we didnt) we could have a free one with a mandatory donation, so, not free. Meanwhile, we saw some customers walking around with no mask and chatting with staff. I understand there are new rules with the pandemic, I just think those rules should be enforced on ALL customers, not just ones they dont know at Watermark.I doubt we will return.

Such a cool local bookstore. They have such interesting books here, a nice selection of local authors and really helpful staff. And the little cafe serves up delicious food. Its my grandsons favorite place to eat. Of course, that might be because he always gets to pick out a book! Buy local!

I love the small cafe on the side and usually go for a Catcher on the Rye. Im in love with the sauce they put on it. Its quite but the perfect place to read at. I love the variety in the books they sell. Its a great place to visit especially if youre from out of town. However Id recommend going on a day that they do a reading.

I visited here for the first time and loved my whole experience. A large selection of books and both the customers and staff were very kind and pleasant to be around. Their coffee and food was outstanding as well, definitely didnt expect that from a bookstore! I cant wait to go back

This is an independent Book Store with a very friendly and helpful staff.

Charming bookstore with helpful staff!

Wonderful, independent bookstore with thoughtful and engaging selection, super-nice people and an excellent environment. Wichitas best bookstore has kept me coming back for years – whenever Im in town I always make a trip over to Watermark.Note: in this horrible year, Watermark is being responsible and thoughtful with its covid-safe practices. Thank you for working hard to protect us while you provide us with the escape we need.

You can count on the helpful staff at Watermark for great reading suggestions. They pull in authors from around the world for entertaining events and the store features everything from cookbooks to childrens reading materials. Online shopping and a delightful cafe round out a great five-star experience.

My stepdad (71) went weekly and looked for “The Economist” magazine and kept being told they don’t have it yet, please come back next week. Today, apparently he said a lady walked by and said, very rudely, that they will never carry that magazine again. Why didn’t they just tell him that the first time vs leading him on?He eats at a restaurant nearby frequently and was a frequent shopper at this bookstore, but he said after today he will no longer continue. I guess her rudeness cost them a valued customer. Just because he reads “The Economist” doesn’t make him less of a person or be treaded rudely. I have never read this magazine, but I can guess this is a political magazine. It almost seemed she had hatred towards this magazine by her tone. It’s fine if you no longer want to carry, but please don’t take out your anger/aggression from the magazine out on customers. If you no longer plan on carrying, just be honest instead of him coming back and asking weekly. Thank you for being honest today about it, but you might want to improve your customer service skills. He has always tried to support small business owners but ended up at “the” large bookstore this afternoon.Dear very rude lady, don’t judge a book by it’s cover because he is (one of the few) that has stuck by my side after I “came out” 20 years ago.Watermark books was his favorite place for books and he referred a lot of friends, but now lost a valued customer today.

Local book stores are the best! The smell of fresh books and their fantastic coffee shop overwhelms you when you walk in the door. You cant help but pick up two or three books every single time you walk in there. Grab a book, order a coffee, and enjoy one of their sandwiches!

What a wonderful place of discovery in addition to books, gifts, and food. I spent close to two hours wandering around looking at all the different books and authors. I had a great time. I purchased my first graphic novel during that visit.I go to Watermark as often as I can. I recommend that you do too.

This bookstore has a great selection, knowledgeable employees, a cute Cafe and all kinds of programming. There are big cities that dont have a great independent bookstore like this!

Neat little place. Menu caters to a light breakfast or lunch, but everything Ive had is very good, especially all the soups. Also a very unique book store on the other half of the shop, good place for finding gifts that dont come from a big box store.

Watermark has a relaxed atmosphere and I often run into people I know when I visit. The menu offers something for everyone. While I didnt try a lemon scone, they came well recommended.Its not esoteric and bookish, but the magazines are located strategically in the cafe if youre dining solo.

Selection is not good, place seems disorganized. Staff watches you like a hawk, made me uncomfortable.

This is a very nice bookstore with a comfortable evironment. They are also great at fulfilling online orders.

Theres a full bar, tables, and booths. It very much feels like this has long been a bar before a coffee shop. Still, there were baked goods and other light bites available, much like youd see at any coffee shop. Plus a full menu of all your caffeinated favorites to enjoy alongside books, board games and more.

Great location bookstore been full of great help and good book suggestions. I love it that they bring authors in for us to hear. Better than any YouTube experience

I absolutely adore this bookstore. Ive been taking my child there for Tuesday story times for a couple of years. The staff is kind and amazing, and my little one adores Sue. One of my favorite places in Wichita. Also...their coffee is to die for! Try the Watermark 40 blend. Youll be hooked!

Went to their strawberry moon book swap. The smell of the coffee was so seductive, I had grab a cup before settling down to chat about the books and the charity the event was aimed at supporting. Good place for literary nerds like me who want to find something new or unique.

I love an independent book store! And this one checks all the boxes, great book club a cafe and fantastic book selection! Today we scored 2 books and a puzzle!

This place is what dreams are made of. If youre a book lover and fan of local, one-of-a-kind bookstores, this place is for you. They also have an excellent magazine selection. Not to mention they have delicious food (dont even get me started on their homemade bread) and adorable little cafe. You will not be disappointed visiting this place!

This is a friendly and smart book store. I try to come here whenever Im in Wichita.

Poor selection and high prices, no thank you.

This is a great place to meet up with people to hang out and talk with. They dont just have books, they have a coffee bar and you can get great coffee cake as well. They dont mind people hanging out there for an hour or so at a time. Has a very quiet and mellow atmosphere about it.

A gem of Wichita. Locally owned bookstore, deli and cafe. Lots of authors stop by promoting their books and doing signings. Definitely worth going out of your way to support this bookstore. Located in the old historic College Hill area, perfect for a run/walk with Watermark food/coffee after!

So cute, love their selection and coffee

Neat little bookstore! They had a nice collection of books and arranged them well. Great place if youre looking for a gift too! Next time I go I want to try out the cafe too.

Wasn’t throughly impressed. First time coming in today and started in the kids section to make my way around, heard one of the employees say “they’re in the kids section” now I don’t know if that’s because they wanted to keep an eye on me or what, but it felt kind of rude. As we proceeded to look through the different sections, an employee asked about three different times if we were finding everything okay. There were other customers, but it just felt like they thought I was going to steal. As a book lover and a decent person, that feeling sucks.

This is a staple of Wichita. They have a good selection of books and can order something if you need it. The team who works there are very helpful and passionate about books. I like the cafe section as well - its a nice little menu and a great spot to meet friends, relax and read, or go on a lunch date.

Great experience, Friendly staff

Good reads and cozy place

Watermark Books and Cafe is a wonderful spot to find local books and get a delicious light meal or a beverage. While it doesnt have the big selection of books that Barnes & Noble does, Watermark often features cozy readings, Q&As and book signings with Kansas authors. Sometimes Watermark even features free local music acts such as the Crowsons one Friday evening every month. This bookworm says its the best local bookstore in town!

Great local bookstore. Huge selection and cool events held regularly.

The best! Beautiful displays, extensive selection, knowledgeable staff.

One of my all time local favorites.Love the relaxing atmosphere. Nurtures my call for book browsing. Its awesome!

Watermark is one of my favorite places to go! Wonderful food, people, and books galore!

From the outside, Watermark looks like a crunchy-granola hippie hangout - credit the large 1960s-style artwork on the front. This isnt a bad thing. But once inside, the store reminds me strongly of Borders before it went corporate, or the old Jocundrys bookstore in East Lansing in the late 70s. Very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff, nice depth of literary stock, interesting/amusing/fun trifles, flashes of humor, geeky without the geek label.Also, the chocolate chip-banana scone was good, the coffee was fresh, and the cafe was clean. It is clearly a local book-community hangout.I just wish the store was closer to where I live!

Great coffee, knowledgeable and accommodating staff. Literally, my new favorite literary spot! And more than likely my daughters too!

Best local source for new books. Knowledgeable, friendly staff. Bonus: delicious coffee in the cafe!

Enjoyed a lemon curd scone and coffee this morning with friends. Good food, as always. Watermark Books and Cafe has a welcoming relaxed atmosphere and plenty of people who want to assist customers.

Great book store. Great cafe. Lots of fun little items. Friendly service.

Consider coming to Watermark books to shop for your books, gifts, and coffee/drink needs before ever going to a chain or ordering online. Its nice to see this book store thriving and it has a great atmosphere. The owners are very kind, and I would love to see more people supporting their business. Also, check out the table that displays the feminist literature!

Good coffee, good service, good choice of books that they have available on the shelves. Though it is still a little expensive. I just spent $20 bucks on a 400 page paper back, while the same book was available online for $15.00, and thats including shipping.I am also an independent author with a book on their shelves. There is a $50 stocking fee for three months, but thats not bad compared to two other books stores Ive worked with. Also, not only did Watermark put my book in the consignment section, but also in the fantasy section with the cover out. Some bookstores charge you extra for that. Also, I love that they have a local author book fest were we can get some marketing for the book. However, their last local author festival that I was hoping to showcase my book was cancelled because I was the only local author that had been planning on going to the meeting, and the lady on the phone said they liked to at least have 3 local authors for the festival. I totally understood, and I even got an email a few weeks later saying that even though my 3 months were up, they were going to go ahead and keep my book on the shelves for another 3 months, and I would NOT have to pay the fee.I havent seen any of the rude service that has been mentioned in the other reviews.

Nice local bookstore. Decent selection and a friendly knowledgeable staff.

Beautiful artwork, quirky, and a neat selection of books. I gave a presentation in their basement area and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. They have a smaller selection of books than your chain BNN, however, they seem selected and shown with care unlike your typical chain book stores. Supportive of local Kansas authors as well :)

Best book store in town. Staff always has *excellent* recommendations. Food is delicious!

Sometimes digital just does not cut it. I love the smell of a real book and looking at art not digitized. I hope that stores like this stick around a very long time!

Good atmosphere and a different but good selection of books at a reasonable price

Watermark is one of my absolute favorite places to go for a relaxed lunch, or for longer stints on my days off. It also happens to have one of my absolute favorite sandwiches in Wichita...The Great Expectations sandwich comes on their homemade focaccia bread (delicious and soft), with thin-sliced turkey, lettuce, walnuts, and an apricot-curry mayo (the best part). They also have an amazing selection of knick-knacks, local items, and of course, books! Watermark also regularly hosts special events including book clubs and author events. Support local, shop Watermark!

Such a cool bookstore! Great selection and the food is wonderful!

I begin my Wednesday errands with a bite of breakfast, the newspaper and a couple cups of good coffee. Pleasant, calm and restful. I look forward to it.

Can find every genre imaginable. Knowledgeable, kind, welcoming staff, comfy seats, good tea. Spent two and a half hours and a bit of cash. Time and money well spent.

These guys know what theyre doing. Quirky displays. Strong selection. Events and food! If you love books, this is the place to go.

Great food. Great atmosphere. Awesome selection of books.But, wow, can they consistently forget focaccia bread and sides.

Nice atmosphere with a variety of books and a calf in case you need a drink or snack.

Books live here. Five stars just for that. Try the strawberry fields salad. Read a magazine. Check out the Ukelele club, the book clubs, the author visits (which are incredibly hard to pull off perfectly and people who give the place one star for that should be ashamed), and know that you are patronizing a true local business.

Quaint, local bookstore with good help. They are great at suggesting new things for my kids, and I like their rewards card. I regularly get $10 to spend using the card, and I am not spending huge $$ there today get those. The rewards $$ can even be used on items from their cafe.

The author/book events are my favorite. We are lucky to have an independent store that gets so many great authors.

Veggie burger is fantastic in the café. I suggest trying it whether youre a meat eater or not.

Love this place, for books, gifts and coffee. Associates are friendly and helpful.

What a treat. Book selection, clever gifts to gather, great coffee and yummy sandwich from a whimsical menu. Dont miss if you love books and fun.

Watermark is a great local bookstore. There may be fewer books than a Barnes and Noble, but every one of them seems like one youd want to read. The cafe is great, too; a good place for lunch.

Great place to sit down, read a book, or buy books, eat sandwiches, drink coffee, meet with your buddies. Its

Great selection of books and some good eats also.

Fantastic selection of books and other literary related merchandise. They had a whole bookcase full of coloring books! I found a few books with uncommon binding. Better than Barnes and Noble!

Having lived in College Hill for several years now, we always love going to Watermark on the weekends for coffee and a good book.