Former Chapter 11 Exec Opens New Store in Decatur

by Edward Nawotka, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 5/1/2007

Zachary Steele, who spent the past four years overseeing retail operations for Chapter 11 Bookstores in Atlanta, will open Wordsmith's Books in Decatur, Ga., on June 15.

The new general interest bookstore will be located in an old Decatur office building on the main square, which retains many of the building's original marble fittings. In addition to 3,000 square feet of sales floor, it will feature an 800-sq.-ft. performance space for readings, and will include a coffee bar.

Because Decatur already has a well-known children's bookstore, Little Shop of Stories, Steele said that Wordsmith's will not carry children's titles. In January, Steele launched a Web site (www.wordsmithsbooks.com) and blog "in an early effort to develop an electronic fan base," he said. Steele has already formed a partnership with the Georgia Center of the Book and the Carter Center, which contracted the not-yet-open store to sell books at recent events for Jimmy Carter and Madeleine Albright. Steele has also hosted events for publishers Akashic Books, Tin House, A Public Space and Soft Skull Press in conjunction with the recent Associated Writing Programs convention in Atlanta.

Steele, who before working at Chapter 11 managed a number of Barnes & Noble stores, told PW that his time with Chapter 11 taught him a lot about the challenges of running an independent bookstore. "Our model is old style independent bookselling: having a great selection together with great customer service," Steele said.

Russ Marshalek will serve as Wordsmith's marketing manager. He also came to Wordsmiths from Chapter 11, where he was responsible for business-to-business sales and outside events. "Everyone in Atlanta knew Chapter 11 was going down," he said. "So when Zach came up with this idea of building a store, I knew it was time to go with him."