Another Chapter for Second Chapter Books

By Dulcy B. Hooper | Photos by Crowell Hadden

Co-owners Kathy Jo Shea and Jilann Brunett were already well-known members of the community when they opened Second Chapter Books over six years ago. Shea has served on Middleburg’s Town Council. In addition, through Solstice Healing, Shea and Brunett provided acupuncture, massage therapy and other services.

Second Chapter’s previous location at 8 East Federal filled a void left by the closure of Books and Crannies, which was brought on in part by snowstorms that kept customers away during several key retail weekends. In fact, the loss of Books and Crannies brought out supporters from throughout the extended community who hated to see the end of another independent bookstore.

When Shea and Brunett stepped in, many Middleburg residents breathed a sigh of relief to know that an independent bookstore would remain. Shea and Brunett were committed to providing a full-service bookstore and making it an important resource for the local community. Almost overnight, they formed a corporation, renovated the space, joined the American Booksellers Association and hired former Books and Crannies manager Laura Vermillion to help run the shop before opening their doors for business.

Second Chapter Books has continued for the last six years, a welcomed resource in which local authors could speak, participate in book signings, and sell their books. Book club members throughout the area encourage their members to purchase books from Second Chapter, knowing how important it is to support a treasured local resource. Second Chapter hosts book group meetings and story telling for children. There are comfortable reading nooks for children and their parents.

All that was threatened last year when Second Chapter Books lost its lease, and members of the community were once again confronted with the possibility of Middleburg losing its only bookstore. Shea expressed her concern at the time that the exclusivity brought on by high rents for shop owners in Middleburg could be detrimental, and that small shops like Second Chapter Books would be forced to “fade away.”

Fortunately, the community has once more come together. Second Chapter Books is now located at 101 W Washington. The shop sells new and used books for readers of all ages, and has a large section of books by, for and about the local community.  The shop is open seven days a week and closes daily at 6 pm. ML

101 West Washington St.
Daily 9:30am – 6pm
540.687.7016