Bookstore Space in Vermont Expands Despite Cold Winter

In mid-December, Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont, concluded a seven-month expansion project, which encompassed both new construction and renovation. According to Chris Morrow, general manager of the store, the newly constructed spaces include a 3,000-square-foot children's book department and the 3,000-square-foot Spiral Press Café, seating 70 and serving full breakfast and lunch, coffee, and snacks. The store, founded in 1976 by Morrow's parents, Barbara and Ed, has doubled its retail space from 5,000-square-feet to 10,000, Morrow told BTW.

The new second floor cafe.

The new event space.

The store was first located in a small space across the street from its current location. About 18 years ago, the Morrows crossed the street and converted the 1872 Colburn Inn into a bookstore.

The redesigned store was developed by the Morrows, working within the parameters of an architect's plans. Their goal was "not to mess with the feel of the existing store. The store has a rustic Vermont feel that we wanted to maintain," Chris Morrow told BTW. Morrow looks forward to increased author events and new types of book-related events that the new design will allow. "In the café, we can have cookbook authors and tastings, live music, and in the children's space we can do story hours and school events," he explained.

The Next Chapter, the Morrow's small used-and-rare-books store, which was in an adjacent space, has been closed and the used books have been both integrated into the main store and displayed on shelves in the store's newly built events space.

Morrow says that the construction is about 80 percent complete. Remaining are finishing touches on the service desk, lighting, and signage. It was imperative to have the store ready for the holiday season, even if a few things were not 100 percent done, he explained. "Christmas was great," said Morrow. The customers were extremely enthusiastic and sales were up significantly. The logistics -- moving in during the rush -- were crazy but the staff did a superb job."

The store and café, which operate on a number of levels, are all accessible to wheelchairs as a result of a newly installed elevator and good design. The parking area has also been expanded, now offering space for 100 cars instead of 25. --Nomi Schwartz