Northeast Oregon Now’s “Business Spotlight” highlights a local business in the greater Hermiston area. Know of a great local business in the community? Feel free to let us know about it at neonow@outlook.com
HERMISTON, Ore.-The story of The Next Chapter Bookstore is one of books, of course, but also of family and community.
The store, run by the mother and daughter duo of Angela Pursel and Alexis McCarthy, recently celebrated its fourth anniversary and has quickly been embraced by the community, becoming a hang-out for regulars, meeting place for book clubs and host of community events.
“It’s been great working with my mom,” said McCarthy. “We’re living our dream. I grew up with her owning businesses and I’ve always been around it or helped in some capacity, it feels natural.”
The Next Chapter
McCarthy was the Studio Director and Lead Instructor at Dance Unlimited for six years before converting the studio into a bookstore.
“I’m an avid reader and I always wanted to own a bookstore,” said McCarthy.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the studio could only use part of its space, McCarthy and her mother saw an opportunity for their “Next Chapter” in the suddenly unused space.
The studio was converted with help from her family, including her father who repurposed the old dance studio flooring into siding in the store’s Literary Café and around the checkout counter, and from McCarthy’s sister, who painted the mural in the children’s section.
“We started during the pandemic and two years later completely ended dance and started the store,” said McCarthy.
The First Four Years
In addition to McCarthy and Pursel, The Next Chapter now has four employees to help customers find their next book.
“We all read a wide array of books, and our booksellers are here to help,” said McCarthy. “Come and explore, sit and read, bring a friend or enjoy the Literary Café.”
For McCarthy, the greatest success of the first four years of business has been community engagement, and the excitement created in the store through a literary culture that includes gatherings and events.
The Next Chapter hosts story time for children every Saturday at 11 a.m., that includes a craft and a treat. They also hold a children’s story time party four times a year.
The store also hosts five book clubs, including Fantasy, Edge Of Your Seat, One More Chapter, Middle Grade, and Banned Books.
Monthly silent reading gatherings and tea parties for kids and adults are also held at The Next Chapter, as are a “Sip and Shop” event at Christmas and a “Boozy Bookfair” with Neighbor Dudes.
A full calendar of events is available online through The Next Chapter.
The Next Chapter partnered with the Hermiston School District to put on book fairs at six elementary and two middle schools this year. A community book fair is scheduled for May 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at West Park Elementary.
Shoppers at the book fairs can choose which schools to support with their purchases and the schools get rewards based on sales, according to McCarthy, who also put on book fairs in neighboring districts this year.
The Next Chapter sells books, journals, puzzles, games, store merchandise, spices, treats and so much more.
“We have something for everyone,” said McCarthy. “We’re a bookstore that wants to serve curated collections for all ages, including activities for the community.”
A Literary Community
While books may be slightly cheaper online, The Next Chapter offers more, including connections with regular customers, and community support that goes beyond book recommendations.
“It’s that personalized one-on-one experience with the bookseller,” said McCarthy. “It’s about that human connection.”
When Erick Peterson, the former editor of the Hermiston Herald and a regular customer, experienced some health issues in 2022, his absence from the bookstore was noticed by McCarthy, and she visited him in the hospital.
“The Next Chapter has meant a lot to me,” said Peterson. “It’s been important in my recovery. I can’t work, but I can come here, make friends and be part of the community. It’s been my life and I’m grateful.”
Peterson is still a regular and a member of all five of the store’s book clubs. He can usually be found perusing the shelves, or sitting in the Literary Café in his denim vest adorned with bookstore patches, including one for The Next Chapter signed by all the employees.
“This is the most edifying job ever, we’re creating community, and all the values represented in our community meet in this store,” said McCarthy.
Located at 1000 S. Highway 395 Ste. C, The Next Chapter is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
