Middleburg's new bookstore is a labor of love for Kathy Jo Shea who established the shop with Jilann Brunett to meet the needs of a community that loves to read. "We were saddened last year by the news that Books & Crannies, Middleburg's only book store, had been forced to close," Kathy Jo explained. "I can't live in a place without a book store," she thought as she began to explore the possibility of establishing one herself.

Then, as luck would have it, she was part of a warm-up session before a board meeting, and the facilitator asked those in attendance to describe what they would really like to do. Kathy Jo, a very successful massage professional, at first didn't know what to say, but when the facilitator turned to her, she said, "I'd really like to read."

And then she began to connect the dots.

Five weeks later, she and coowner Jilann Brunett, opened Second Chapter Books. In only this short space of time, they had formed the corporation, found a perfect location, done the required renovation and opened their doors in early December for Christmas in Middleburg weekend.

"Bookstore management is very difficult," Kathy Jo continued. "One has to carefully orchestrate your stock to ensure that your shelves are fresh with new titles as you respond to customer requests. And, we have to capitalize on all the new social network and online assets.

"We recently joined the American Booksellers Association which will allow us to offer online ordering to help our customers, and soon we will offer ebooks on our website. This fairly new ABA service helps independent book stores with online ordering and many other services."

Second Chapter Books is located in a charming historic building at 8 East Federal Street, near Back Street Café, The French Hound and Mello Out.

Once you've walked up the steps, onto the porch and through the front door, you will be delighted to find yourself in a series of welcoming rooms lined with books to fascinate the most discriminating reader. The many floors offer books of all kinds, from classics to Civil War history, from fashion and art to equine pursuits, sports, and a special children's section.

There is a small room for meetings and book signings and, soon, there will be reading caves for children.

"Our Christmas in Middleburg opening provided a great lift-off for the store," according to Kathy Jo. "We had lots of customers and friends who kindly visited, purchased and thanked us for opening. We were so pleased to know that our instinct to ensure that Middleburg had a book store was correct and appreciated."

Throughout the year, Second Chapter Books will introduce many services. A membership program will soon be available to offer discounts to customers who join. Book clubs will be able to schedule meetings at the store, and soon customers will be able to order books on the website.

"We also plan to create special services for the community. We want to be of service to the many schools, teachers, grandparents and authors who live in Hunt Country. "We are totally committed to this community and will do everything we can to serve the citizens here no matter their age or their interest."

Kathy Jo, who grew up in a family of avid readers, could not be more pleased and proud to make sure Middleburg has a bookstore. And her dedication to the community shows in her opening hours: Seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to five on Sunday.

Beautiful new signs have been approved and are now in progress, but until they arrive, Second Chapter Books is located at 8 Federal Street. The website is secondchapterbooks.com