Baltimore Magazine had a fine article on local independent bookstores. The Barnes and Noble store at the Inner Harbor closed but I think there are more independent bookstores here than ever.
I especially recommend Charm City Books which is only a few blocks from my house. It’s a great store with a knowledgeable and helpful staff. They are a real asset to the neighborhood and the city. For example, they hold book drives for schools and other worthy causes, for example. I don’t see Amazon doing that. Charm City Books posts often on Instagram and I recommend following them.
Here’s a recent post about a Charm City Books book drive where they are collaborating with several other local independent bookstores:
Sad! 