Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Wilson
Hi Steve, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Here is info from our website —
Susie has enjoyed a love of books as long as she can remember. Her mother, an avid reader herself, always inspired Susie’s love of the written word. In fact, when Susie came home from school on her first day of Kindergarten, her mother asked about her day. With disappointment, Susie replied, “it was okay, but I didn’t learn to read!”
Through reading, Susie has traveled the world many times, and has learned so much about people, cultures, and life in general. Reading has been formative in her deepest held beliefs and continues to reveal new horizons as she seeks to live a more fulfilling, meaningful, and impactful life with each passing year.
Steve has been a writer since his days as a Communications major at UT, however, he never shared Susie’s passion for books…until lately. Proving that it’s never too late to read, Steve is now making up for lost time.
Susie carefully and intentionally curates the selection of books for adults and children, and manages the business affairs of the bookshop. Steve handles marketing, promotions and community relations, including maintaining social media accounts. He also curates novelty items.
Also…
In late December 2021, Susie and I were sitting in our favorite Gatlinburg Café, Split Rail Eats, talking about how cool it would be to have a little bookstore right next-door to Split Rail. That truly was the beginning of our dream and it came to fruition as we opened the Next Chapter Bookshop on April 1, 2022. For the first year, we were in a space right next-door to Split Rail and we stayed there until moving to our current location. Neither of us had any retail or bookstore experience, so we visited a number of other stores, and, even today, we continue to learn more about the industry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s actually been a very smooth road for us. Other booksellers have been tremendously helpful with our specific questions, as we were preparing for opening and during the first year or so. The biggest challenge was packing up everything and moving to a different location after one year, but that even went very smooth.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Next Chapter Bookshop?
Here is our philosophy —
As we read novels, we can be transported to places all over the world. Locales we may never see in person, but can experience through the research and skill of the author. Books also take us places we just need to go for our own growth and betterment. They keep us necessarily curious…as lifelong learners!
Our independent bookshop carefully curates a diverse inventory of books for adults, young readers, and children, purposely selected to stimulate the imagination and set us on a path to explore our best life.
Our uplifting space is designed to be welcoming, engaging, and peaceful, while nurturing the joy of reading. We serve our local community of readers and welcome visitors from around the globe – all specially connected by the magic of the written word.
You will always receive warm, personalized service from people who delight in matching you with the perfect book.
Keep turning pages. The very best may be just ahead, in…The Next Chapter.
Also…
Our bookstore is bright and cheerful, with lots of open space. We offer new books only, not selling any used books. The books are well organized, and it’s easy to find a particular genre. We also have some cozy sitting areas. Our greatest joy is meeting people From across the country and around the world, and matching them with the perfect book for them.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Booksellers are notoriously helpful to those who wish to open their own store, and we found this to be so true! We visited bookstores in various locations and learned a tremendous amount about the industry.
We also connected with an Appalachian writer who lives in Gatlinburg, Teresa Cox, and she has become our friend AND our weekend manager!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thenextchaptergatlinburg.com
- Instagram: @thenextchapterbookshop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenextchaptergatlinburg
