Curious Iguana

OUR story

Curious Iguana owners Marlene and Tom England are no strangers to downtown Frederick’s business community—they also own Dancing Bear Toys and Gifts, which opened in 2000 and thrives at 15 East Patrick Street.

Since opening in September 2013, Curious Iguana has become a popular literary hub for locals and tourists alike. Our globally diverse collection, extensive community partnerships, and vibrant events calendar reflect the Iguana’s mission, “Get To Know Your World.” Our welcoming and knowledgeable team of booksellers makes browsing at the Iguana a unique and delightful experience.

In addition to a bookstore and community gathering space, the Iguana is a benefit corporation. Each month, we donate a portion of the store’s sales to different non-profits (more than $18,050 in 2021). The pins in the map behind our counter show the countries where our customers’ purchases have helped make a world of difference.

We also have a big heart for the Frederick community, offering as much support as we can to local schools, non-profits, and other organizations. That’s why the change jar on our counter doesn’t fund pizza deliveries—it’s for COIPP, a wonderful non-profit that provides much-needed resources for children of incarcerated parents in our community. If you’re interested in school or nonprofit partnership opportunities, email info@curiousiguana.com.

DOING WELL & doing good

Curious Iguana is a small bookstore with a big heart and even bigger ideas about how books can be a powerful tool for change. We strive to help build a world where all are happy, safe, and welcome.

As a benefit corporation*, Curious Iguana donates a portion of our monthly book sales to a variety of nonprofits. We carefully vet the organizations we support and are honored to be part of their achievements.

2020 was incredibly challenging, but our customers’ loyalty enabled us to give more than $12,500 in cash contributions. In addition, we were able to support numerous local nonprofits through store discounts, donations of gift cards, and store merchandise. When our business does well, we are able to do good in the world, and we are so grateful to our customers who make that possible.

These five nonprofits received approximately 65% of our financial support in 2020. We hope you’ll take a few moments to read about their work that you, via your purchases at Curious Iguana, support.

Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership (COIPP) fosters the growth of strong, resilient, hopeful children who are impacted by an incarcerated loved one in the Frederick County region.

Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment, challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in the United States.

Human Rights Initiative of North Texas provides pro bono legal and critical social services for immigrant survivors of human rights abuses from all over the world.

Universal Hope Initiative sustains emerging and established artists and artisans focused on education, food security, and rewilding the planet in Puerto Rico, Liberia, and other locations.

UPAVIM strengthens the women of La Esperanza, a community in Guatemala City, as they fight for better economic, healthcare, and educational opportunities for themselves, their families, and their neighbors.