General manager now taking over as owner of downtown bookstore; grand opening set for Saturday

QUINCY — Alex Craig didn’t have to look far to find a buyer for his bookstore.

Jennifer Tournear was the general manager of Codex Books at 532 Maine. When Craig announced in February he was looking to sell the business just four months after moving from 3800 Broadway, Tournear immediately was interested.

“My husband and I just sat down, talked to (Craig), and an offer was made and accepted,” she said. “I just love having a bookstore that’s local and love having somewhere that the community can come to find what they need.” 

A grand opening for the store, renamed Enchanted Books, will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15. The store offers “certified pre-owned” books as well as new books on the New York Times bestsellers list and popular children’s fiction books.

Books have been a part of the Georgia’s native life for as long as she can remember.

“Our grandparents were big readers. My parents are big readers,” Tournear said. “Keeping this bookstore local and having something for your children and your grandchildren and your teenagers is important to me. I think it’s important to other parents and grandparents too.”

Tournear said her first focus was expending the children’s department.

“I grew up on Dr. Seuss. My kids grew up on Dr. Seuss,” she said. “I pretty much focused on the children’s section and the teenager’s section.”

Enchanted will have the typical selection of bestsellers along with crime, mystery and romance novels. She will increase the selection of graphic novels and science fiction offerings.  She hopes to establish relationships with local authors.

Enchanted Books will continue to offer lotus drinks and bubble teas. However, the store will not offer lunch as it had under Craig’s ownership.

Tournear is excited to be a part of The District.

“A lot of people in The District have talked to me about partnering and doing some events,” she said. “I think that’s super cool and something we will definitely look at into the future.”

The former Kirlin’s building had been empty since 2017 before Codex Books moved in. The building is owned by 532 Maine LLC, owned by William Duryea.

Enchanted’s hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.