Feet shuffle and cold air strikes. As the smell of pizza wafts by from a nearby restaurant, the line grows impossibly longer.

Located on the busy streets of downtown Boston, Beacon Hill Books & Cafe officially opened this Sept. after months of anticipation. Its thoughtfully curated set of books and alluring interior have already attracted floods of customers to its doors. This meticulous attention to detail in the design process truly sets Beacon Hill Books & Cafe apart from other bookstores.

The owner, Melissa Fetter, said that the lack of bookstores in Beacon Hill—a neighborhood known for its literary and historical significance—was her initial inspiration behind opening Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, her first business. After purchasing the building in Sept. of 2019, Fetter experienced months of supply and labor shortages due to the pandemic.

However, the unexpected setbacks during Fetter’s opening process did not deter her from establishing the store she had envisioned.

“The end result is exactly what I had in my head, which is something that feels very residential. I put a lot of effort into the interior space; it is not a typical bookstore in any way,” Fetter said.

The cafe takes up the ground floor of the store. It is planning to offer breakfast, lunch, formal afternoon beverages, and dinner-time snacks.

According to Fetter, the fiction and nonfiction works are divided among the second and third floors, with rooms dedicated specifically to art and geography. On the uppermost level, the shelves house children’s stories and young adult novels.

“It is a really pretty space, tucked away with privacy,” Fetter said. “It really allows for young people to explore.”

Inside the renovated townhouse, winding staircases connect the four levels of retail space, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves dominate each room. The pale blue walls, golden accents and wooden carvings all contribute to Beacon Hill Books & Cafe’s warm atmosphere.

Customer Megan Fitz said that she was immediately struck by the store’s unique layout upon first walking in.

“There is a lot of natural light, and it overall looks like a dream house,” Fitz said.

Similarly, customer Devin Hoffman only had positive feedback about the store’s interior design, mentioning that she never wants to leave.

“I can tell a lot of effort was put in every aspect of the bookstore,” Hoffman said.

Fetter said that the opening has been even more successful than imagined. She said the key to achieving success for aspiring business owners is finding joy in their work.

“I have always heard my entire life that you should do what you love,” Fetter said. “I feel that plays a huge role in my success. Opening Beacon Hill Books & Cafe has allowed me to draw on all things I enjoy: reading, interior design and the whole creative process. I truly believe that if you really love your work, you will be successful.”