Online shopping is a convenience, to be sure. But for pleasure, nothing beats browsing the shelves of an independent bookstore, says Amber Taylor, a former PR consultant who left that world four years ago to immerse herself in literature.
Taylor spent several years working for bookseller Eileen McGervey at One More Page Books in Arlington before opening Fonts Books & Gifts in McLean in late 2023.
Now, as proprietor of her own shop, she revels in helping customers navigate its curated selection of some 5,000 titles, offering assistance in finding the perfect book to match each person’s literary leanings. “There’s a little bit of magic to it,” she says.
Inviting and cozy, the sun-dappled space in Chesterbrook Plaza features colorful sloth wallpaper on the back walls and a children’s corner with beanbag chairs.
In addition to books, the merch includes greeting cards and gift-able items such as locally made candles, plushies, mugs, socks, journals and nonalcoholic mixers.
Taylor says she plans to begin hosting zero-proof beverage tastings and mixology classes, as well as author talks and a variety of genre-specific book clubs (mystery and YA are the first groups to launch).
McLean, it seems, was hungry for an indie bookstore of its own. “Every day since we’ve opened, people tell us how happy they are that we’re here,” Taylor says, “and that they’ve been waiting for us.” Happy reading.