Ink & Paper Bookstore opened earlier this summer at 7 Lincklaen St. in downtown Cazenovia, N.Y., near Syracuse. Eagle News reported that owner Chantal Nellis features primarily new fiction with a focus on adventure/historical, fantasy, romance, thriller/suspense, and YA. There is also a children's section and a small selection of nonfiction titles. In addition, Ink & Paper offers "bookish merchandise," including book lights, tote bags, book sleeves, candles, T-shirts, cups, reading rating journals, earrings, and bookends.
"I think Ink & Paper offers a comfortable space where people can hold a physical book and browse shelves to take in the smell and atmosphere that bookstores have to offer," Nellis said. "We can order books for people looking for something specific and notify them personally when the book arrives in store. We enjoy connecting with our customers and understanding their reading preferences to make recommendations. We have events coming in the future and look forward to bringing more people together."
Opening a bookstore has long been been a dream for Nellis, who noted: "I love books and the atmosphere a bookstore can have. I wanted to create that feeling for people and make an indie bookstore that I would love to shop at too."
Nellis previously worked as an occupational therapist for almost a decade before deciding to stay home with her three children. "During this transition phase for my family, we decided it would be a great time to reach for this dream," she said. "Cazenovia is a great community [filled] with so many amazing small businesses already, and I thought opening a bookstore here would be a great addition.... The community has been really welcoming. We have heard so many positive compliments about our space and selection of books in our little store."