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Since its opening in October of 2025, A New Chapter at 209 Elm Street in West Springfield, MA, is a new spot for book lovers and enthusiasts in an inviting atmosphere. It’s a local independent bookstore that offers a variety of genres including history, romance, fiction, nonfiction, bestsellers, and new releases as well as children’s books.
Owner Scott Szaban believes everyone has something they want to read; they just have to find the genre that interests them. “There’s a little something for everyone,” he said. “Here, we have an extremely diverse selection of books to choose from.”
In addition to selling books, A New Chapter has book related merchandise such as stickers, bookmarks, drinkware, and PeeperSpecs reading glasses. They have a rewards program where if you buy nine books, you get the tenth book for free up to $20. For every time a customer purchases a book, they get a stamp. Szaban has free bags if anyone needs one, but he also has reusable totes for $9.99. If you buy the tote, you get 5% off your purchase that day. Then every time you bring that tote and shop with them again you get five percent off.
“This business is a new chapter for me,” said Szaban. “As much as I love books, buying books and collecting books, I never owned a bookstore. That’s why I wanted the name to be significant to what I was going through in my life.” He added, “You can never stop learning. You can always learn more and books are knowledge. It’s all about keeping the passion for reading alive.”
Szaban has always been a reader. His mother and grandfather were avid readers, so as a child he was surrounded by books. He loved reading mystery stories like the Hardy Boys and even to this day Szaban said he likes suspense and thrillers the most.
Szaban retired in 2020 after a 20-year career at the Connecticut Department of Correction. Before opening the store, he worked as a Weight Watchers coach, bartended and waited tables at the Federal Restaurant and Lola’s and then was an administrative assistant for an orthodontist. Szaban eventually shifted professions again to do something he was passionate about and that was books.
At one point, he was buying 10 to 20 book a week, but space started to become a problem. Szaban would read a book and then pass it on to someone else. Eventually, he set out to find a retail location — and did. Though it was a challenge, once Szaban found the right place he had no regrets.
“The town of West Springfield is amazing and supportive,” he said. “They’re grateful that I’m there and I hope to be there for 30 years. This is my business and I love the fact that I’m doing this on my own.” Szaban went on to say, “People love to support local, yet there are other places that sell books. You just have to hope that people come for the experience that you provide them. I try to pride myself on making sure everybody who leaves the bookstore has the best experience they can possibly have based on what they’re looking for.”
Brigitte Stark from Holyoke first heard about A New Chapter through local author Laura Louise who would often share how welcoming and supportive the bookstore is, especially toward local authors. What initially drew Stark in was wanting to purchase books from a small local business. She’s visited the store a couple of times so far and plans on going back to pick up the latest releases.
“A New Chapter brings a welcoming space where people can come together over a shared love of reading while also supporting local authors and small businesses,” Stark said. “Events they host also give people an opportunity to connect socially in a fun and positive environment. I’m hoping to attend one of their upcoming Book Bingo events with friends.”
On the last Wednesday of every month, A New Chapter hosts Book Club Bingo at 6 p.m. For a $20 admission, attendees can play Bingo with the chance to win up to $300 in gift cards. The Book Club is free, and once the bingo is over, they have a book club meeting based on the book they picked a month before.
On Saturdays, they host local author signings from 2-5 p.m. Szaban has a local author section at the bookstore. When a local author approaches him, Szaban features their book for a month before moving it to a dedicated local authors' shelf.. Then after that month is up, the book will make its way to the local authors’ bookshelf with the other local authors that were previously featured. There will be two book signings on July 11 and 18.
With A New Chapter, Szaban has created a space for customers to explore, immerse themselves in reading and interact with one another on their passion for books. “The most rewarding part about this is wanting to go to work every day and being excited to go to work every day,” said Szaban. “The joy and the word of mouth that I get from the customers that shop there when they come in. Whether they’re buying anything or not, they now know that I’m there and they’re going to tell somebody.”
A New Chapter is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
FOR more information, Follow the store on Facebook, Instagram (@anewchapter4thebookloverinu) and TikTok (@anewchapter), and Visit anewchapterwestspringfield.com.