Book Love:
The Bookshop of Senoia
Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON
From young to older and all in between, Book Love caters to all who love to read.
In the front corner of one of Senoia’s newest shops, a small cafe offers warm pots of tea, fresh pastries, and a shimmering view of the bustling retail district. Past the cafe, books and literary trinkets fill the shelves and tables. At the back of the store, a hand-painted castle surrounds shelves of children’s books and fantasy wildlife of the stuffed variety.
Because of the intimacy of the store, customers are immediately greeted by the owner or a member of her family.
“I’m so glad you’re open,” says one eager patron.
She’s not alone. Since Book Love: The Bookshop of Senoia opened in February, it's welcomed hundreds of book lovers excited to add new treasures to their collections.
Senoia was a sleepy town before The Walking Dead chose to film here, and despite the boom in business that followed the TV show, the town was unable to boast a true bookstore. Antique shops often harbored small collections of used books hidden in the back, but Senoia’s book lovers were forced to travel to other cities for larger, more comprehensive collections.
That has changed since Theresa Decker celebrated Valentine’s Day with the grand opening of Book Love, Senoia’s first bookstore.
Decker began her career as a television and radio reporter, telling the stories of others, and later started taking photographs professionally, telling stories without words. She eventually decided that she wanted to sell stories.
The shop owner says she chose Senoia instead of Peachtree City or Fayetteville because of the charm and welcoming nature of Senoia.
According to Decker, she asked herself, “Where would I like to go to work everyday?” The answer was Senoia.
Everything Decker does in her shop focuses on the community. With few exceptions, Book Love only stocks books published in the last two years. Decker plans to curate the store’s collection based on the community’s interests.
Customer Angie Wadsworth confesses: “I’m in love with Book Love. The owners are very kind and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. After I made my purchases, I ordered a pot of tea and sat down with my books.”
Despite the tourist influx Senoia receives daily, Decker’s shop caters to Senoia residents and the clientele who return time and time again to enjoy the shop’s unique offerings. Decker’s commitment to put her customers' interests first is reflected in the public events she hosts, the book clubs she sponsors, and her willingness to satisfy her customers’ cravings for great books and tasty treats in a welcoming venue.
Theresa Decker’s Book Love is a missing piece of the Senoia puzzle residents never knew they were missing. NCM