Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where are you located? 

A: We are located in Historic Downtown Seneca on Ram Cat Alley. We are beside Vangeli’s Bistro and across the street from The Spot on the Alley and Green Springs.

Q: Is there parking near the shop? 

A: Ram Cat Alley offers parallel parking on the street, including directly in front of the bookshop. A short block away, a parking lot is available around Norton Thompson Park. 

Q: What kinds of things do you have in the shop? 

A: We offer previously loved books and a robust selection of new titles across a wide range of genres. You’ll also find new and previously loved puzzles and games, journals, handcrafted cards, locally-made gifts, and plenty of bookish treasures perfect for treating yourself or someone special.

Q: The book I want is not in stock, can you order a new copy for me? 

A: While we can’t guarantee availability for every title, we’re always happy to check! Reach out with the title and/or author you’re looking for, and we’ll gladly let you know if we’re able to order it and provide all the details.

Q: Do you sell online?

A: We currently do not have an ecommerce site, but you can support First Chapter Bookshop by purchasing books online at bookshop.org/shop/firstchapterbookshop. We directly receive a portion of each sale when selecting First Chapter Bookshop as the shop you would like to support!

Please note: First Chapter Bookshop's gift cards or discounts cannot be used on bookshop.org -- these are only redeemable at our location on Ram Cat Alley.

Q: Do you offer gift cards? 

A: Yes! We offer eGift Cards that can be purchased online here for quick and easy gifting. We also have physical gift cards available for purchase in the shop during regular business. 

Q: Do you accept donations? 

A: Yes, we do! As we like to say, “if you're willing to part with your items, we'll be happy to find them new homes.” We accept hardcovers and paperbacks of any genre and for all ages. Donations can be dropped off anytime during regular business hours.

Q: What do you do with the books that you don’t put on your shelves?

A: Our goal is to find good homes for every donation regardless if it makes it onto our shelves or not. If a book isn't added to our inventory, we pass it along by donating directly to the local library, stocking Little Free Libraries, or placing it directly into the hands of a reader.

Q: Do you offer trade credit? Or have a buy back policy? 

A: At this time, we do not offer trade credit or a buy-back program. However, we love showing our appreciation for donations! When you choose to donate to the shop, we’re happy to gift you a discount card as a thank you.

Q: I am a local author, how can I get my book in your shop? 

A: Please see our Local Author Inquiry page for more information on how to get your book on our shelves!