With the rise of online reading, kindles, audiobooks and other forms of literary media, classic independent bookstores face competition from dominant chains. Still, people continue to be drawn to these charming small businesses.
Chestnut Hill’s Hummingbird Books opened in April 2022 and was founded by Boston resident Wendy Dodson. The local independent bookstore sells works from national bestsellers to local authors, including both trendy books as well as longtime classics. Hummingbird Books aims to create a personalized experience of buying books.
The owner of Hummingbird Books offered Shelly McHale a job in 2022. As a lifelong book-lover, her answer was automatic.
“She had me at bookstore!” McHale said. “I mean, I would have worked in a bookstore if it looked like a shack. You know, it’s a bonus that it’s so beautiful.”
Two and a half years later, McHale is still working at the whimsical store, with its dark wood shelves, golden lights and decorations that embrace the holiday spirit. As a bookseller, her work involves all things books: selling them, bringing them out, shelving them, receiving them and pricing them. She also searches bestseller lists, looks at what people are requesting and puts in special orders.
“I have some friends that come visit and shop, but I’ve also made some nice new friends working here. Everybody that works here is lovely,” McHale said.
McHale’s coworker, Lily Spar, is the event coordinator at the store. She organizes author talks, story times, book clubs and more. Recently, the bookstore hosted Ann Patchett, an acclaimed novelist known for Bel Canto (2001), The Dutch House (2019), Tom Lake (2023) and other best-sellers.
“[She] is one of all of our favorite authors, and that was really exciting to plan,” said Spar. “She was just really charming and down to earth, and we had two sessions with her, each with 150 people, and it was really great to have her here. ”
Spar said events with smaller local authors are equally significant to her. The opportunity to reach larger audiences can have a huge impact on authors just starting out in the literary world.
“It’s really special to see someone who’s a burgeoning author come in and get to talk about their book with their friends and family, with people who have never heard of them. Getting to help people make those dreams come to reality feels really good and it’s very gratifying,” Spar said.
Rebecca Markarian, who came to Hummingbird Books looking for Christmas presents, said she appreciates that Hummingbird Books is a thriving small business at a time when online bookstores are becoming increasingly popular.
“I love independent bookstores. I’m so happy, I feel like there are some in the greater Boston area, but it’s nice to have one that’s in the Chestnut Hill area,” Markarian said.
Hummingbird Books is targeted to readers of all ages. While the front embodies the classy and elegant energy of a bookstore ambient playlist, the back part of the store is the designated children’s section, with a life-sized tree sculpture kids can climb up and in.
Spar said the shopping experience at Hummingbird Books is made unique by the close sense of community between staff members and shoppers, as well as the store’s connection with the larger Chestnut Hill neighborhood.
“There are so many people who come in every single week and pick out the next book they’re reading,” said Spar. “[As booksellers] we really get to know them and get to tailor what we have for the people who come to the store and have a really personal relationship with them.”
