Although 17-year-old Barre Books closed when the owners retired at the end of December, Barre, Vt., home to children’s author Katherine Paterson, won’t be without a bookstore for long. Former first-grade teacher Cynthia Duprey plans to open Next Chapter, a general bookstore, in the same 1,900 sq. ft. space on February 13. “I just love books,” says Duprey, who has long wanted a bookstore.
Duprey says that she’s planning to focus on children’s books, which will take up about 20% of the space. Her contractor husband, William, built a tree house/reading loft with a cave underneath to entice young readers. In addition, Duprey will hold storytimes every Saturday, starting February 18, when the store celebrates its grand opening. And Next Chapter already has several teenagers lined up to work in the store—Duprey’s five children.
Next Chapter will carry a broad selection of adult titles and some sidelines, including journals, puzzles, and games. Because there’s a coffee shop next store, Duprey decided against adding a café. But she is setting up a lounge area in the front of the store, and the store will offer free WiFi.
