New McLean Bookstore To Feature Books For All Ages, In-Person Events

MCLEAN, VA — A new bookstore will be opening in Chesterbrook Plaza in McLean this fall, filled with books for all ages as well as greeting cards, journaling supplies and unique gifts.

Fonts Books & Gifts, which will be located at 6262B Old Dominion Drive next to TD Bank, is owned by Amber Taylor, who spent nearly four years learning the business as events manager and bookseller at Arlington’s One More Page Books.

“One of my favorite things about local bookstores is the community they nurture. Customers and booksellers develop long relationships, driven by a shared love of books and stories,” Taylor said in a statement Monday. “They help each other explore unknown worlds and topics. And, there is always something new coming in the door. I’m thrilled to bring this to McLean.”

Fonts will host author events and book signings, as well as other events like book club meetings, journaling classes and comedy nights. The store will also have an outdoor reading area behind the building.

Originally from Ohio, Taylor has lived in Arlington for 25 years and in the neighborhood bordering McLean for 10 years. Her daughter attended the Montessori School of McLean, which is behind where Fonts Books & Gifts will be located.

“I have been watching the revitalization of the Chesterbrook Shopping Center with excitement, and look forward to now being part of it,” she said.

Fonts also plans to hold fundraising evenings for local schools, nonprofits, and other community organizations.

In 2022, membership in the American Booksellers Association reached its highest level in more than 20 years. The ABA added 173 members last year, and now has 2,185 bookstore businesses and 2,599 locations, The Associated Press reported in May. The ABA has almost 300 more members than it did in 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the bricks-and-mortar version of Fonts opens this fall, the public can start shopping online at Fonts’ temporary online store. The public also can become a Fonts Books Member via Patreon. Membership levels start at $5 per month and will include “insider” store updates and other benefits, including a free book each month for the top membership levels.

Residents can also subscribe to Fonts’ newsletter.