“Changing your world through the pages of books!”
That is the motto of Brown Books & More LLC, a bookstore that is making waves in downtown Decatur, Alabama. Located in a historic building in this thriving suburb north of Huntsville, the store was recently honored with the “Best of the Best” 2025 Readers’ Choice Award by The Decatur Daily.
As its name suggests, Brown Books & More offers far more than books. Patrons can enjoy a cozy café serving healthy foods and smoothies, a food truck that travels to special events, author signings, open mic nights, book clubs for kids and adults, birthday parties, STEM learning activities, movies, cookie decorating, and even playdays for moms who need a break.
Co-founder and co-owner Janelle Brown says her love for reading began early. “According to my mother, I started reading at age three,” she recalls.
That passion became a mission after attending a local educational forum where the superintendent of Decatur City Schools highlighted low reading scores among Black and Brown children.
“I was appalled,” Janelle says. “Kids need to see people like themselves in books.”
Brown Books & More began as a pop-up and online shop in late 2017. By February 2022, Janelle and her husband Jammie Brown opened a brick-and-mortar store in Decatur. Community support and a 2023 small business loan from the NCI Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) subsidiary of nonprofit Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., helped the Browns expand their vision.
In August 2025, the bookstore moved to its current 1,500-square-foot location and now employs five staff members. The café inside offers coffee, healthy meals, and “Million Dollar Smoothies” made with fresh fruit and blended to perfection. The Browns also rolled out Brown Books & More Gourmet Food Truck + Books, a food truck serving gourmet salads, sandwiches, bento boxes – and books.
“Securing a loan from the NCI Loan Fund allowed us to expand the business,” Janelle says. “We were able to hire employees, add the café, and buy a food truck. Our food truck is an extension of our bookstore. We bring it to festivals and events by request.”
Neighborhood Concepts praised the Browns’ entrepreneurial spirit.
“Brown Books & More is more than a bookstore—it’s a community hub that fosters literacy, creativity, and healthy living,” said Mary Ellen Judah, executive director of Neighborhood Concepts. “Janelle and Jammie Brown are visionary entrepreneurs who combine passion with purpose. Their commitment to representation in literature and their innovative approach to engaging families made them ideal candidates for our loan program.”
Inclusion is at the heart of Brown Books & More’s mission.
“We believe we have a book for everyone,” Janelle says. “Our books represent people of many colors, religions, and cultures. Most of our books are for children, but we have titles for all age groups. Our ultimate goal is to help kids love reading.”
The Browns also promote healthy living.
“Health is wealth,” Janelle says. “We want kids to see that healthy food choices can be enjoyable and tasty.”
The food truck’s motto says it all: “A Taste of Brown Books & More on the Go.”
Innovation keeps patrons coming back. The store hosts bingo games, painting parties, and a Boys Book Club for middle and high school students—an age group where reading interest often declines. Brown Books & More also participates in monthly character festivals at Delano Park, where kids dress up as their favorite book characters.
Looking ahead, Janelle dreams big.
“We get patrons from Montgomery and Mobile in addition to locals. I would love to franchise and even go global,” she said. “Our setup is eye-catching and welcoming. We’ve created a home-like environment that’s very comfortable—and our smoothies are really good!”
The Regions Foundation recently announced a $150,000 grant to support the NCI Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) operated by Huntsville-based nonprofit Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. This latest investment from the Regions Foundation will expand access to capital for small businesses in Huntsville and surrounding communities.
The Regions Foundation is a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank; through its grantmaking program, the Foundation supports economic and community development initiatives, along with education and workforce readiness programs and financial wellness opportunities.
The NCI Loan Fund is a natural community partner for the Regions Foundation. Since 2015, NCI has deployed nearly $17 million and supported more than 220 small businesses, including 25 this year alone.
To learn more about the Regions Foundation, please visit https://www.regions.com/foundation.