"Why wouldn't you have a bar in a bookshop?" - Book bar coming to Chester
For years, Megan Nicolaides and Megan Yapp harboured dreams of one day opening their own bookshop.
Today, the pair are gearing up to launch Chester's newest independent bookshop and wine bar, but remain tight-lipped about where exactly it will be based.
Chapters is set to open this August, with the location to be confirmed within the next few weeks.
Nicolaides revealed to Nub News that Chapters' new home is "Chester through and through".
"We have found somewhere that we love.
"If I asked you to draw what a Chester bookshop would look like, I think you'd draw this place," She added.
The co-founders struggle to recall a time they weren't best friends, having met at nursery and deciding they were stuck with each other.
"We've always just loved books; I guess it's kind of something that has been brewing forever," Nicolaides told Chester Nub News.
It wasn't until a spontaneous trip to Hay-on-Wye, as they perused the extensive selection of book stores in the Welsh market town (over 20) - that their desire to own a bookshop really got started.
Nicolaides added: "Last year we had a dinner and things got serious.
"We planned the whole thing out in that night and we were just so excited and so aligned with each other.
"It was just like, I don't know, it felt like it was meant to be."
When quizzed on the kind of spot they were trying to create in Chester, Megan said: "It will basically be the kind of place that Meg and I would want to hang out in ourselves.
"We've kind of created our own dream hangout spot in essence."
The co-founder finds the signs of growing innovation and interest in bookshops hopeful, citing a trend over the last few years of people choosing to buy their books from independents.
Megan pointed to Chester's own independent book scene, as she said: "Even in Chester, we've had another two bookshops pop up in the last month or so. It is exciting."
Both women bring years of experience within accountancy and marketing to the project - with co-founder Megan Yapp running her own accountancy business on the Wirral, which she will continue to run, leaving Nicolaides to focus her attentions on the book bar.
Influenced by a desire to create a spot they would personally choose to spend their time and money, the act of combining a wine bar and book-shop felt somewhat obvious to the duo.
"I think it's just a case of creating somewhere where we both wanted to hang out.
"When you go to a bookshop, there's this gorgeous magical feeling that you get and I guess the bar creates a reason to stay longer.
"I mean, why wouldn't you have a bar in a bookshop", Nicolaides added.
As introverts, the 36-year-olds wanted to create a space for people like themselves, whilst producing a sense of community and comfort.
She added: "We wanted to create a place for people like us.
"I think it takes a brave person to go to a bar on their own, but hopefully this can be a place where it just doesn't feel intimidating and it feels really relaxing and homey."
Key to the book bar's mission will be hosting a wide range of events which aim to "bring people together".
Nicolades said: "We have that unique concept of having a bar there, which makes it a slightly different space to your typical bookstore.
"It is perfect for paint and sip type workshops, things where you can be a bit more creative and do something different.
"Maybe a writing class or wine tastings aligned to book themes.
"There are so many creative and different options you can do because of the concept of the store."
Nicolaides reiterated the store's design will be built around facilitating space for events and helping to create creative opportunities in Chester.
You can find the website here, or be the first to find out its location on Chapters' Instagram.
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