The Empty Nest Bookshop officially opened on June 12 on East Main Street in New Concord. The bookshop is home to “previously loved books” in good condition. Genres available include children, young adult, science fiction, biography and autobiography, mystery, paranormal, history, and more.
The Empty Nest Bookshop is located on East Main Street and offers a variety of genres.
Owner of The Empty Nest Bookshop, Cynthia Rhodes, is a Muskingum University alumna. Rhodes previously worked in New Concord for 23 years for Cerner (Resources Systems). Now, a controller at Dunning Motor Sales four days a week, Rhodes will run the shop on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Rhodes wants The Empty Nest Bookshop to be a positive experience for the New Concord community and the surrounding area.
“My goal is for this to be an experience place to visit. I sell previously loved books in good condition. We have seating and I’m offering coffee and cookies. I want people to feel like they can come and browse and take their time. Just a place to relax and hangout and enjoy the love of reading,” said Rhodes.
The Empty Nest Bookshop offers a variety of books and sitting areas for customer enjoyment.
Rhodes said she opened her shop in New Concord because of her history with the village.
“I have a love for New Concord, I always have. When I worked in New Concord I was on the board of trade. I used to work right on Main Street and my husband works for Muskingum University. So, we just have a love and an affinity for New Concord. I wanted it to be on Main Street so we can get pedestrian traffic since it’s [New Concord] such a walking community and have people feel the freedom to come in and out and enjoy the space,” said Rhodes.
Rhodes, an avid reader, said running her own shop had always been a dream.
“I love books, from childhood, and I love reading. I’ve always wanted to own my own business and my own shop. I toyed between opening a pastry shop or a bookshop. I’m kind of doing a bit of both with the free coffee and cookies,” said Rhodes.
Rhodes said she ultimately wants the shop to inspire anyone who comes in.
“I just want to share my love of reading with other people and hopefully inspire people who have gotten away from reading or got turned off from reading for one reason or another to go back to reading,” said Rhodes.
The Empty Nest Bookshop takes book donations as well as buying good quality books for resale.
The shop takes book donations and buys books. The books need to be in good condition without any rips or writing. Rhodes does not take textbooks or library copies and prefers hardcovers or softback books, but not paperback books.
The Empty Nest Bookshop is located at 19 E. Main Street and is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Empty Nest Bookshop officially opened June 12. The shop offers a variety of books and free refreshments.
To contact The Empty Nest Bookshop, call (740) 261-5101. To stay up to date, follow the shop on Facebook at @theemptynestbookshop.
