Chapters on Chestnut is still in the prologue phase, but owner Nicole Connolly hopes to turn the page before the end of the year on her planned book store and cafe at 7 Chestnut St. Having recently decided to take over the space next door, formerly Wesleaf Designs and Decor at 1020 Great Plain Ave., Connolly is in the process of designing and constructing the 1,000-square-foot space to house what she said will be a more robust children’s/middle grade/young adult section of the bookstore.
“I feel like [those years] are a time when the kids are getting phones and they can get on screens more, and that’s when we see reading starts to fall off,” she said, explaining why she wanted to expand that section in particular.
Connolly said the team is also “working through milestones” on the cafe, including selecting the coffee equipment, counter surfaces and other details to submit to the town for permitting. The cafe was critical to the project, Connolly explained. “The idea of creating a space where people could come and linger and browse and connect was really appealing to me. I felt like Needham needed more places for people to connect and hang out.”
After 25 years at Fidelity Investments, Connolly herself is starting a new chapter, something she said was part of the genesis of the store’s name. “I love helping people find their next chapter, whether that’s a pivot in terms of a career change or their next great read or a new hobby or a new way of thinking about things,” she said. “I feel that the bookstore is an extension of that.”
There are still several boxes left to check, but Connolly said the town has been great.She currently is working with the Design Review Board to create an appealing corner location that brings charm while honoring the building’s original architecture.
“As with any construction project you have to be ready for delays and surprises. We really want this space to be so special for Needham, so we’re prioritizing getting all the details right even if that means the timeline shifts a bit.”
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