Book lovers can celebrate the beginning of the next chapter in downtown Fayetteville’s retail story with a new independent bookstore.
Chapter House Books opened Aug. 16 at 225 Franklin St., owner Annie Clymer said.
“It’s been a lot of fun; we’ve been getting a lot of folks coming out,” Clymer said just after opening for the day Aug. 22. “I’m surprised at how many people found out about us just by driving by, just seeing the sign for so long. But it’s been very good. It’s very positive.”
Clymer told The Fayetteville Observer in May that she and her husband, co-owner Andrew Ridgeway, relocated to Fayetteville last summer when Ridgeway took a job as an assistant professor at Methodist University. The couple, who met in a bookstore, had dreamed of one day opening a bookstore of their own.
Clymer said her store has both new and used books, as well as remainders, which is overstock from publishers.
“We have a little bit of every genre, I think, and every topic, basically, so you’ll probably find something that you’re interested in if you come on by.”
And even though she’s only been open a week, Clymer said she’s already noticing some trends in what her customers are buying.
“A lot of romance, a lot of sci-fi and fantasy, so a lot of the kind of genre fiction, which is a lot of fun,” she said. “And then I’ve also noticed a lot of kids’ books selling, so people have been bringing their kids in.”
Bookstores are having a moment
Chapter House Books is a part of what looks to be an independent bookstore renaissance in downtown Fayetteville.
Longtime bookstore City Center Gallery & Books, which has been at 112 Hay St. since 2003, has plans to nearly double its footprint when it expands next door into the space at 110 Hay St. Owners Diane and Hank Parfitt told the Observer in July that, while they’re planning for a spring opening of the new space, they’d ideally like to be open before Christmas.
In the fall, another indie bookseller, Bound & Vine, will open at 134 Person St. Owner Kellie Artis told the Observer in July that her shop will carry general interest books, as well as local authors, particularly on military themes. Bound & Vine will also have a wine bar, Artis said, “to encourage people to linger, connect with someone who is already there or perhaps just cozy up in a corner and discover a new read.”
What’s next?
As for Chapter House Books, Clymer said a ribbon-cutting ceremony is in the works, so “we’ll probably try to make that day like a bit of a party.”
Clymer said that, although nothing’s official yet, she’s in talks to host author signings at the shop.
Perhaps the biggest development in the works, however, is that customers will soon be able to shop Chapter House Books via the store’s website.
“We will be able to sell books online within the next two weeks,” she said. “So people can buy books from us directly through the website; they can pick them up in store or have them shipped to their house.”
And the most important thing for potential customers to know?
“That we’re open!” Clymer said. “We’re open; come on down.”
The details
Address: 255 Franklin St., Fayetteville
Phone: 910-263-8765
Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday and Monday.
Additional information: Store credit is offered for trade. Call the store for details.
On the web: Visit chapterhousenc.com; instagram.com/chapterhouse.nc; or search “Chapter House Books” on Facebook.
News director Beth Hutson can be reached at bhutson@fayobserver.com.