Beloved Magnolia Hangout Leaves Bakery And Books Set To Shutter This Summer

Leaves Book and Tea Shop on Fort Worth’s Magnolia Avenue is getting ready to turn out the lights for good at the end of the summer, with its final day set for Aug. 15. The Near Southside mainstay, a bookstore, tea room and bakery under one roof, has been a neighborhood gathering spot since it opened in 2018.

According to Leaves Bakery and Books, the business recently posted an "Important Update" confirming Aug. 15 as its last day open to the public and laying out deadlines for final custom orders and gift-card redemptions. The online notice also invites customers to revisit your favorite traditions, asks regulars to share memories, and sets up an employee thank-you fund as the shop winds down.

As reported by CultureMap Fort Worth, founder Tina Miller Howard shared the closing news on social media, thanking the community for backing what she described as her lifelong vision and calling the decision "bittersweet." CultureMap noted that the shop struggled financially after the pandemic and that consolidating the business was presented as a way to keep at least part of the concept alive.

Roots in Near Southside

Tina Miller Howard opened Leaves in 2018 at 120 St. Louis Ave., hoping to create a place where customers could pause and disconnect, The Dallas Morning News reported at the time. The small, curated book and tea shop gradually evolved into a local favorite known for loose-leaf teas, a rotating pastry program and occasional community programming.

Merger With Stir Crazy

The shop later teamed up with Stir Crazy Baked Goods and rebranded as Leaves Bakery and Books, operating out of 1251 W Magnolia Ave, according to the business's site. The combined concept lets customers pair a curated book selection with sparkling teas, whole cakes, cookies and savory breakfast items.

Leaves Bakery and Books also made a mark on the local dining scene. It appears on the nominees list for Dessert Program of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards list the shop among other Fort Worth pastry programs singled out by judges.

In the weeks leading up to Aug. 15, the shop says it will bring back customer favorites and host partner pop-ups while it fulfills final custom orders. Customers hoping to swing by, use remaining gift cards or contribute to the staff fund are encouraged to check the bakery's website or social media channels for event dates and ordering cutoffs.