Standing by the fantasy fiction shelf is Janie Fox of the First Chapter bookstore in downtown Parkersburg. Available genres include fantasy, historical fiction, romance, science fiction, mysteries and horror. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

PARKERSBURG — A new bookstore opened in 2024 in downtown Parkersburg.

Proprietor Janie Fox of First Chapter chose Market Street because of its location.

“I really like this space,” she said. “I always thought downtown Parkersburg would be the best because of all the foot traffic.”

The site is the former Apricot Lane Boutique adjacent to the Parkersburg Brewing Co.

The book store opened on Nov. 1.

Janie Fox, owner of the First Chapter book store on Market Street in Parkersburg, is pictured behind the coffee bar at the store. First Chapter opened Nov. 1. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

Parkersburg needed a local store that sold new books, she said.

“We didn’t have a small local book store,” Fox said. “I told my friends I wanted to open one someday. A couple months later we did.”

Local writers are encouraged to contact First Chapter, she said.

“I push the local authors a lot,” she said.

Among the local authors whose books are available at the store are Jessica Lynch, Patricia Wilkins, C.J. Henderson, Kelsey Paul, Aaron Ferguson, A.E. Fox and Joshua Smith.

Local children’s writers include Brian Croasmun and Laura Strachan. The children’s section also includes Dr. Seuss and Rick Riordan.

Book signings are hosted at First Chapter, the fifth and latest will be on Saturday and feature Fox from noon to 6 p.m. Fox is the author of the “Sacrilege” fantasy trilogy.

The fourth book signing featured Kelsey Paul, who wrote the thriller “Good Girl Miss Annie.”

“And she sold out,” Fox said.

Several book clubs also meet at First Chapter and a recent midnight release party was well attended, she said.

“We had 70 people here,” Fox said.

A yoga class also meets at the bookstore.

Physical books remain popular despite the digital age, according to Fox.

“I think people like the physical feel of a book,” she said.

First Chapter carries mostly fiction titles in many genres, including fantasy, historical fiction, romance, science fiction, mysteries and horror, she said.

A coffee bar also is in the store.

Fox can order any title. Used books are limited to what’s on hand and people who bring used books to the store receive a store credit, she said.

Hours for the store are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The hours are subject to change when warmer weather arrives, Fox said.

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.