Fredericksburg welcomed a new novelty to its downtown business scene last week: Novel, an independent bookstore and plant shop has opened its doors at 212 William Street.
Novel, owned and operated by Andie Ayers, offers a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction titles, unique gifts, and a quiet space designed for connection and conversation.
Ayers, a former English teacher, said her love for books and her commitment to the Fredericksburg community inspired the opening. “I believe books can bring people together in ways that we all need, but especially post-Covid and with the division in our country,” she said. “My hope is through Novel, we can bring people together.”
Fredericksburg has been Ayers’s home for most of her adult life. In addition to raising three children in the area, she’s been deeply involved in the community through education and nonprofit work. “I love the small business community here and love that I get to be part of it,” she said.
While books are the foundation of the store, Novel also includes offerings designed to support people going through difficult times. “One piece of Novel that is novel—ha ha—is books, cards, and gifts that are perfect for when someone you love is grieving or going through a hard thing,” said Ayers, who is also a cancer survivor. Drawing on her experience supporting families through the Fairy Godmother Project, she said these items are chosen to help people “show up” for loved ones without trying to fix anything. “Most of our cards and some of our books focus on loving people through hard things.”
Ayers founded the nonprofit Fairy Godmother Project and recently stepped down as its leader. She continues to volunteer with the organization, which strives to help parents and caretakers of children fighting cancer.
Novel shares space with Green Eyed Vines, a plant business owned by Donnie and Regan Woodford. Ayers said the partnership came about through a mutual friend and adds a complementary element to the store’s atmosphere.
The store’s collection is primarily fiction, with select nonfiction titles. The store does not carry “self-help” books. Instead, Ayers said she favors books that focus on growth and understanding, rather than traditional self-help. Themes include leadership, parenting, and relationships.
Book clubs are already underway at Novel. One club, called the “Cause Club,” focuses on fiction tied to real-world issues and local resources. In March, the group read More or Less Maddie by Lisa Genova, a novel about a character with bipolar disorder, with proceeds benefiting Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. In April, the club is reading After the End, a novel that explores the experience of a family facing a child’s cancer diagnosis, with the Fairy Godmother Project as the featured nonprofit.
Beyond books, Ayers is also working to support other local businesses. “We are doing some simple things, including having items sold at other stores on display in ours,” she said. The store features artwork by local artists, items from artisans, and goods from nearby shops like Whitby’s.
Inside the store, visitors will find personalized touches, including signs that explain staff book recommendations. Ayers said she hopes the space feels welcoming and personal. “My hope is to connect with people in the community and connect them to each other.”
The biggest challenge so far? “The physical labor,” she said, laughing.
Though she isn’t highlighting local authors just yet, Ayers said it’s something she hopes to do in the future once the store finds its rhythm.
When asked for a must-read, Ayers named The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah for fiction, Remember by Lisa Genova, Night by Elie Wiesel, and Finding the Words by Colin Campbell for nonfiction.
The books she’s most excited to stock are those that she feels can help people better understand one another. “Whether it’s a book that might help someone better understand a friend who’s just lost their spouse, or a book for that widowed friend,” she said, “or a parent that is struggling with their child’s depression.”
For readers unsure of what to pick up, Ayers has a simple approach: ask questions. “It’s important to know what they’re looking for in reading.”
Novel is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays – Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
