Bell Bird Books opened Monday in Nashville, Tenn., the Tennessean reported. Located at 1208 Martin St., the store carries general-interest titles for all ages, along with embroidery kits, scented candles, stationery, and gifts. Owner Mary Ann Weprin said she wants Bell Bird Books to be a "bookstore for everybody," where everyone feels comfortable and "everyone can find something they like here," no matter what their interests.
She built the opening inventory based on her own taste as well as the recommendations and top-10 lists of friends and family members. Going forward, she plans to adjust things based on community interest. "I hope we'll be able to keep building it by who comes in here and what's important to them," Weprin told the Tennessean. "I don't know what will work, but I'm going to find out."
Prior to opening Bell Bird Books, Weprin had a career as a high school English teacher. She is a lover of bookstores, and she pointed to Nashville's Davis-Kidd Booksellers, which closed in 2010, and Lemuria Book Store in Jackson, Miss., as being particular inspirations.
Per the Tennessean, Bell Bird Books is the third indie bookstore to open in the Nashville area in the last six months, after Slow Burn and Duckbill Bookshop.