Two best friends have opened a new bookshop and wine bar in Chester city centre. Chapters launched on the historic Rows in Watergate Street today (March 21).
Chapters promises to bring together the magic of a bookshop with the warm, intimate atmosphere of a wine bar, creating a space where people can browse books, enjoy a drink and spend time in a beautifully designed, home-from-home setting. Chapters offer a carefully curated selection of primarily fiction - including founder-favourite romantasy - alongside non-fiction titles.
The shop also stocks a thoughtful range of complementary items such as greetings cards, candles and notebooks; many sourced from independent makers and small brands. Guests can enjoy wine, coffee, non-alcoholic drinks and light bar snacks to encourage them to relax, discover new books and stay a while.
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The shop will host regular events including author talks, book clubs, wine tastings and creative workshops to create a welcoming cultural space for readers. Chapters is owned by Megan Nicolaides and Megan Yapp, best friends since nursery who share a lifelong love of reading and storytelling.
Megan Nicolaides brings experience in marketing while Megan Yapp contributes a background in finance and operations. Megan Nicolaides said: "We’ve put a huge amount of love and care into curating everything, from the books on the shelves to the wines behind the bar; we really wanted to create a space that feels thoughtful and welcoming. Chester felt like the perfect place for a shop like Chapters. It has such a strong independent spirit (and a growing book scene) and the Rows are incredibly special, so we’re excited to bring something new to the city’s book lovers."
Megan Yapp, co-founder of Chapters, added: “I’ve always loved stories that completely pull you into another world; fantasy, romantasy, and a really gripping thriller are my go-to genres. I’m really excited to bring those kinds of books onto the shelves at Chapters and introduce readers to stories they might not have discovered otherwise. Opening a bookshop together feels incredibly special for us; we’ve been friends since we were two years old and we can’t wait to start sharing the books we love with everyone.”
Amy Bradley from the Booksellers Association said: "Chapters is a fantastic example of how independent bookshops can enrich their local communities. Megan and Megan have combined thoughtful curation, a welcoming environment and innovative programming to create a space that is more than just a shop - it’s a cultural hub for Chester. We are delighted to welcome Chapters to the Booksellers Association."