Dearly Departed Books, a horror-focused bookstore, held a grand opening in Balcones Heights, Tex., on Halloween, KENS5 reported.
Located inside the Little Shops at Wonderland of the Americas at 1422 Fredericksburg Rd., Dearly Departed Books carries new and used horror titles, along with zines and nonfiction pertaining to Texas paranormal history and the occult. Alongside books, customers can find apparel, mugs, spooky merchandise, and a variety of ghost-hunting equipment.
Bookstore owners and brothers Fred and Stephen Garza-Guzman also run ghost tours and other paranormal-related events through their company Curious Twins. "The brothers said the store was inspired by their love of reading and collecting books," KENS5 wrote. "They also wanted to bring back the feel of classic mall bookstores, with a focus on community and helping readers find their next book."
The grand opening on Saturday included a ribbon cutting, giveaways, packs of free zines, a book fair, visits from local authors, and all-day trick-or-treating.
"Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate our grand opening. We saw so many friendly faces, and we’re grateful for every person who stopped by to share the day with us," the owners wrote on Instagram after the opening.
"To everyone who loves horror and sees meaning and impact in these stories: we see you. Our space is here for you, along with plenty of book recommendations. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Dearly Departed Books and Curious Twins. We couldn’t be happier to be part of a community surrounded by wonderful neighbors and people who are passionate about what they do. Shop small, shop local, and please keep reading!"