By Lisa Carolin
Business Name: Serendipity Books
Business address: 108 East Middle St., Chelsea
Business email, telephone number serendipity.bkstore@gmail.com (734) 475- 7148
Business hours: 10-6 Monday through Saturday, 12-5 Sundays.
Business Website: serendipity-books.com
Serendipity Books began in Chelsea in 1989 and moved to its current location at 108 East Middle St. in January 2022.
Owner Michelle Tuplin bought into the business in 2015 and became sole owner in 2017.
“Serendipity Books is now a fully stocked independent bookstore with a carefully curated collection and very much part of the national indie bookstore scene,” said Tuplin. “Community and books are our priorities. Chelsea is the perfect location for us to build community as we build a successful independent bookstore.”
Tuplin and her staff love to talk books and offer curated selections with the ability to order titles to arrive in a few days.
“Despite being a lifelong lover of everything books, becoming the owner of Serendipity Books was entirely serendipitous,” said Tuplin. “Besides, who doesn’t want to own a bookstore?”
One of Tuplin’s main goals has been for Serendipity Books to emphasize its support of downtown Chelsea. The store ran a “Where’s Waldo” event this past July, which helped increase foot traffic in downtown Chelsea. Serendipity Books has collaborated with the Chelsea District Library, the Chelsea Education Foundation, the Chelsea Human Rights Commission, and other local businesses and groups.
Tuplin encourages people to check out the book store’s website: serendipity-books.com
“It allows customers to see everything we have in stock, both used and new books, order pretty much any book in print, and either have the items shipped to any U.S. address or arrange for pick up at the bookstore,” she said. “With new releases that are pre-ordered, we have the items ready for pick-up at 10 a.m. on the release day.”
Tuplin also wants people to take advantage of her store’s free delivery service to the retirement communities in Chelsea.
As far as events this year, Serendipity Books will launch a new event series beginning on Friday, Dec. 1, called Late Night at the Bookstore. The store will be open from 6:30-9 p.m., offer a storewide, 10-percent discount, wine tastings courtesy of community partner Withington’s, and free Tarot card readings.
