Celestielle Bookstore Brings a Bit of Fantasy and Romance to Old Worthington
Old Worthington is about to gain a new bookstore with the opening of Celestielle on High Street. Owner Emily Byorth is transforming an upstairs space into a boutique bookshop focused on romance and fantasy. We chatted with her ahead of her grand opening on May 22.
Nick: What led you to opening a bookstore? Do you have a background in books or publishing?
Emily: I wish I had a background in books and publishing – this probably would have been a much easier transition. I have a doctorate in Audiology (hearing science) and have been practicing for eight years. I left my job last year and felt this was the best time for me to go after a different dream. I have always felt at home in a bookstore and wanted to make my own where other people feel welcome and at home.
Nick: What will be the focus of the bookstore?
Emily: My bookstore is more boutique in the fact that it is 99.9% romance and fantasy. There is a tiny kid section and mystery and psychothriller section (because my mother and friend are avid readers of this genre and needed them to be present somewhere in the bookstore), but otherwise it's just those two genres.
Nick: What do you hope guests will experience when they visit your shop?
Emily: Somewhere fun and welcoming that they want to tell their friends about and want to continue to visit. I want to build a sense of community. I don’t want it to feel like a one and done experience.
Nick: How did you choose Old Worthington as a location?
Emily: Have you seen Old Worthington? It is so full of life and community and charm. I am incredibly lucky to be here.
Nick: Are you originally from the Worthington area? If not, where did you grow up?
Emily: I did not. I was actually born in Lexington, Kentucky. We moved here when I was nine and grew up in Dublin. I am a graduate of Watterson and went to OU for undergrad. We now reside in the Westerville/Worthington school district area.
Nick: Aside from book-selling, do you have any plans for events or activities around your bookstore?
Emily: So many. I have had a running list going since my first day dreaming of Celestielle. I'm trying to limit myself to one event that's book-related and one event that is more community-related each month and then also having a day of the week for book clubs to use my event space.
Nick: Anything else you want to share or you think people should know about you or your bookstore?
Emily: This has been a complete heart project. This could not have happened without the support of my family and friends. The hard labor, the random decisions, the “what about this?”, and the constant positive, uplifting comments is what made Celestielle. I hope when you visit you can tell that love was put into every detail, and as Bob Ross puts it – there may be a few happy little accidents.
Celestielle Bookstore officially opens on Friday, May 22! Catch the ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. that day.
