Alfredo Garcia
Lantern Staff
Change of hands: Errin Moore, the new friendly owner of The Next Chapter Books and Novelties, has taken over the bookstore, formerly known as The Book Grinder.
Moore is adding new items made personally by her and some of the locals in Wichita and El Dorado. Her intention is to bring Wichita products to help the community save on gas and bring more variety to the El Dorado community. The same inexpensive books and new coffee flavors, along with coffee from the Spice Merchant, and the same loveable cats, Bobbles and Oreo, are still there.
Moore decided to take over the shop with her husband, Larry Moore, after hearing that the previous owner Sandra Emlet would be selling the bookstore.
“The idea of that [the bookstore] going away was really sad to me,” Moore said.
Moore also wants to keep a bookstore in the El Dorado community.
“Having a small independent bookstore is a huge thing for any community,” Moore said.
Getting the books is harder than it seems.
“That’s our big weakness being [a] used [bookstore],” Moore said.
On Thursdays when the store is closed, Moore goes to estate sales, garage sales and other bookstores in Wichita in search of new books. The El Dorado community can help by donating books and even sell their books for in-store credit, which will help lower the price and help out The Next Chapter. Plus, Butler students receive 10 percent off of a book if they have their Butler ID.
Other than books, The Next Chapter offers Moore’s own essential oils products such as bath bombs, roller-balls, room sprays and lotions. Moore is also trying to get a variety of items such as El Dorado and Kansas related stickers from Heartlandia. El Dorado flags, stickers and mugs will come soon.
Other than her own items, The Next Chapter also offers locally made items and trades.
“Let’s give them a wider format to offer it,” Moore said.
Crochet items, messy bun hats and recycled t-shirts are a few examples of the local items being sold. Coffee beans are also a new product available in The Next Chapter.
With so many products and more coming on the way, The Next Chapter is going to be a bookstore to remember and keep an eye on. The bookstore is located at 2222 W. Central Ave. next to Quik Trip.