Bell Bird Books Opens in Wedgewood Houston
Mary Ann Weprin stood outside of 1208 Martin St. on a warm October day, gazing into the empty, white-box retail spot, pondering: "Could I really run my own bookstore?"
The dream was one that she, like many other avid readers, considered on and off throughout her life. But in the fall of 2025, the stars perfectly aligned for Nashville's Bell Bird Books to become a reality.
"I just thought about where I wanted to spend my time, and it is a bookstore," Mary Ann Weprin said. "I want to create a space that really belongs to people, not just me, but the neighborhood and Nashville."
Classics like J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye", new releases like Maria Semple's "Go Gentle", influencer Meredith Hayden's "The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook", fantasy novels, quick-read rom-coms, children's books, and extra-large coffee table booked desinged to be equal parts decor and reading material line the shelves. Plus, there are pens, stickers, notebooks, embroidery kits, and even a Wedgewood Houston-scented candle.
"I want to have everything," Weprin said.
Stocking an entire bookstore from scratch was a daunting task, so when it came to selecting much of the merchandise, she turned to all the readers in her life. Her mother and sister, both librarians, made lists of their must-reads. Friends and other family members numbered their top 10 books, and before she knew it, there were enough books to fill the store.
"I hope we'll be able to keep building it by who comes in here and what's important to them," Weprin said. "I don't know what will work, but I'm going to find out".
Above all else, Weprin wants her bookstore to feel like walking into a friend's house. "It's familiar from the jump," she said.