Big Blue Marble Bookstore is an independently-owned storefront that specializes in progressive and multicultural books of interest to residents in Philadelphia-particularly in Mt. Airy. It also carries new and used children's books, classics, fiction and nonfiction, woman-centered pregnancy and parenting, sustainable living, lesbian/gay, African-American, Jewish studies, feminist science fiction, literary graphic novels and more.

The second floor of the two-story shop features a cafe that serves Rishi teas and snacks. Big Blue Marble offers a variety of community-building activities including seminars, book clubs and special events. Civil workers and frequent buyers receive discounts.