Opening Soon in Waverly: A Q&A with The Reading Tree Bookshop
A new independent bookstore is about to open its doors at Waverly and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome it to the neighborhood. The Reading Tree Bookshop is on its way, and with the opening just around the corner, we sat down with the owner to find out what readers can expect. From a store full of handpicked books to book talks, craft nights, and plenty of bookish gifts, here’s a first look at what’s coming.
What’s your updated opening timeline?
If all goes well with our renovations, we hope to open in mid-December with an official Grand Opening in January.
How will you curate your inventory?
We’ll be carrying a store full of new books that I’m handpicking myself. We’re a general-interest bookstore, which means we will represent books in nearly every imaginable category for adults, teens, and kids. Though I’m in the thick of choosing my inventory now, I expect that when we open, we’ll have at least 10,000 unique titles in the store.
If readers are looking for fiction, they’ll find it! We’ll carry literature and historical fiction, romance and romantasy in every variety, science fiction and fantasy, mysteries, and international fiction translated into English. I’m also creating a poetry section.
In nonfiction, readers will find plenty of history, science and nature, current events, humor, cookbooks, art, crafts, and more.
As I learn what readers in the community seek out, I’ll adjust our selection.
Will you host events?
Yes! So much of what I hope The Reading Tree Bookshop can be for people is a place to connect with other readers and thinkers, and neighbors. I’ve got so many ideas right now for book clubs and craft nights and guest speakers on any variety of subjects. We’ll host authors, too, as we get more established. One of the things I’m most excited to do is host book talks where I’ll regularly offer recommendations. I love to recommend books almost more than I love to read them myself.
What will your store hours look like?
We plan to be open 7 days a week, with final hours to be announced later.
Do you offer special orders, preorders or signed/exclusive editions?
Yes! We’re a full-service indie bookstore in that way. Shoppers will be able to order from us in the store or place orders through our website: readingtreebookshop.com.
Until we open our doors, I invite interested customers who want to support us to buy their books and ebooks from our Bookshop.org store, an online bookstore that supports indie bookstores like ours. We also sell audiobooks through our Libro.fm store, which customers can use to download and listen to audiobooks on their mobile devices.
Will you have a kids/teen section?
Yes! We’ll have a full selection of books for kids of all ages and teens. I’m working hard to create a truly special kids’ book section. I have a particular love for picture books and books written for that middle-grade audience of readers ages 8 to 12.
Will you offer a loyalty or rewards program?
We have plans for one, but the details are still forthcoming.
Will you sell bookish extras, such as bookmarks, candles, journals, and book-themed gifts?
Yes! I mean, we’re here for the books, of course, but part of the joy of visiting a bookstore is discovering the interesting gift items. They’re full of personality! We’ll have stickers and journals and puzzles and bookmarks and a selection of stationery. Because I’m also very interested in small handcrafts, I plan to stock some needlework kits and simple art supplies. I’ve been having fun sourcing from North Carolina-based suppliers, when I can, to highlight the innovators here in our own state.
