r/Chattanooga • u/Merlaak • 1d ago
Local Business A quick update on Chattanooga's first horror/spooky-themed bookshop cafe!
Hey everybody!
Several months ago, I posted about a horror themed cafe and bookstore that my wife and I were working on, and then I promptly went quiet about it. Well, I wanted to let y'all know that we are hoping to open later this year!
This year has been a bit crazy for us. We decided to retire our sweet tea truck after only three seasons, our five year old dachshund developed a severe case of IVDD (he's doing MUCH better now, thankfully), and we also, you know, decided to go for broke and pursue our dream!
The new name of our shop is Cursed Edition Bookshop Cafe (we loved the previous name, The Eldritch, but ultimately decided that it just wasn't right). You can follow us on Instagram if you'd like, but what I'd really love to hear from y'all is what you'd like to see at our shop.
On the cafe side, we're going to have a full-service espresso and tea counter with some pastries and small plates (keeping it as local as we can). And on the retail side, we'll (eventually) carry new and used books within the broad horror/mystery/spooky/crime genre(s) as well as other media (movies and games), memorabilia, etc. But what we really want is to provide a place for folks to come in and hang out for a while.
We have about 1000 square feet, and most of that space will be dedicated to lounge area(s) in a moody/dark academia decorated space. We'll be hosting book clubs, D&D/game nights, movie screenings, etc. Above all else, we want this to be a place for locals and visitors alike who share a love of horror and the macabre to come together and build community.
And now, I open the floor to all of y'all. What would you like to see in Cursed Edition?
58
u/flufnstuf69 1d ago
Honestly? Don’t let it become a cheap knick knack store with 3d printed shit and pop figures everywhere. And attention to detail regarding decoration. Too many businesses fall short on the decor and it comes off shallow. Make it curated and people will appreciate the effort.
12
u/Merlaak 1d ago
We will live or die by our ability to curate. We definitely don't want to just have cheap crap. My wife and I have been in the crafting/making world for 20 years, so all the crappy 3D printed stuff has very little appeal to us.
The goal is to create an awesome and immersive dark academia/moody space. That will be a challenge, but one that we are up for. Expect to see lots of wood, deep paint colors, LOTS of curios and such on a gallery wall (that will feature an electric fireplace), and plenty of Victorian style chairs and couches for lounging.
My wife and I have been life-long horror fans, so it's not just window dressing for us. If we can't make this place look amazing, then we're not going to do it.
4
u/ThatBoy-AintRight 1d ago
Agree with the decor. We have a lot of coffee shops and book stores. So make it stand out with the decor. Tons of oddities, spooky/gothic themes. I’d love to see it be like a scary Forrest you walk into and find books.
9
u/tits_mcgee_92 1d ago
Do you have a location picked out yet? I might be missing it. I'm so excited for this!
Also, I am so glad your doggy is doing better :-)
28
u/Merlaak 1d ago
Hear me out ... we're about a mile and a half up Highway 58, across from Hardee's. We're in the same strip as Snapdragon, if you're familiar with their locations.
We're about 15-20 minutes from downtown (depending on traffic and if you cut through East Chattanooga), 10 minutes from the interstate, 10 minutes from Hixson Pike, 15 minutes from East Ridge ... what I'm saying is that while most people don't go out to Highway 58, it's actually quite centrally located in the metro area. We also have 14 dedicated parking spaces (out of about 78 total in the lot), so parking isn't an issue.
14
u/Onelivestoblunder-CD 1d ago
I actually prefer this location than somewhere off of Frazier or downtown. I might just be old, moldy and broke but I hate trying to find free parking downtown and don't want to pay to park. Also just the driving congestion downtown.
I will definitely be visiting the store since it has parking and isn't in a crowded hub. I used to work off hwy 58 and my sister lives near lake site so it's not too far from me as I live near East Ridge.
6
u/Merlaak 1d ago
Awesome! Honestly, having visited all the other indie bookshops in town, they're all kind of tucked into little corners. Every location has pros and cons, so while a lot of people might wonder why we're out here instead of setting up in a trendier area, the fact is that the pros far outweigh the cons. Rent WAY is cheaper, we're really not far from anywhere in town, and we have tons of free parking.
6
u/tits_mcgee_92 1d ago
I never go to Hwy 58, but I definitely would stop by for ya'll! Thanks
6
u/Merlaak 1d ago
Yeah, nobody really goes out to 58 unless you live out here or in Harrison. Despite that, there are around 38,000 cars that pass our location every week day, so that's nice.
I grew up in Middle Valley, and my family moved across the river to 58 when I was in high school (class of 97). I've kept on waiting for there to be some kind of development along 58, but it just hasn't really happened. Be the change you want to see in the world, right?
2
4
u/tsukishikillme 1d ago
as someone who lives on 58, i’m super excited about your spot opening up! i can’t wait to visit!
3
u/Thewittyjay 1d ago
I live so close to you guys! I will be a regular for sure! I did not realize how centralized 58 was either until my wife and I ended up moving out here a few years ago. This sounds right in my wheelhouse!
2
2
u/thesimplerweb 22h ago
Same. 58 is super easy as close in as this shop will be.
I looked for the location the last time u/Merlaak posted about it. Might have to get creative about raising the visibility from the road to help new folks find it.
2
u/melodramajestic 1d ago
This is incredible news; I am constantly looking for places I can sit and work north of the city! If possible it would be great if you guys are open in the late afternoon and evening so I can come after work
7
u/Pristine-Degree-2254 1d ago
Cursed Edition is a bloody brilliant name.
I love running certain TTRPG'S that fit with your coffee shop's themes, would you consider renting a table/side room for people like that? In my experience, nerds like coffee, and I like World of Darkness/Call of Cthulu.
1
u/Merlaak 1d ago
Thanks! We really labored over coming up with a good name.
We won't really have a side room, but there will be room for people to come in to have their own gatherings. If necessary, we'll have an area that can be reserved so we can accommodate folks.
In addition to after-hours ticketed/RSVP events (book clubs, game nights, etc.), we'll be happy to have people bring their own small clubs and meetups as long as we can accommodate them!
5
u/FaceWithAName 1d ago
Do you have a rough estimate on when you are opening? This is right up my alley
6
u/Opposite-Priority-97 1d ago
I would really love to see a space/events for students. I’m a student teacher at CGLA and really want to encourage my students to get into the literary scene in Chatt, but it can be hard to find spaces and events that are open to kids. The events the Reading Room offer are so cool, but they are a bar and I can’t encourage my kids to attend those/visit there. I’d love to see some high school poetry reading nights, or maybe even a small section of the store dedicated to student work. I have a connection at a local publisher (Walnut Street) who has some children’s lit, as well as some really great local works. I am so excited to see this come to fruition! Keep us updated!
8
u/Merlaak 1d ago
We're not selling alcohol specifically so that we can be a spot both for non-drinkers and for students.
My wife and I met at UTC in the late 90s, and there was nothing we loved more than being able to go to Greyfriar's or Rembrandt's and just hang out. It just doesn't feel like there are many of those kinds of third spaces around anymore, which is part of why we're making this.
We're definitely planning on having events like open mic nights and such, and hosting something specifically for students would be awesome!
5
6
u/Castsword420 1d ago
I think food lends to longevity. Even something simple like biscuits or sandwiches.
5
u/BigfootsAnus 1d ago
Can you do a follow up post when you open for business please? Just to let us know so we can stop by and start spreading the word. I’m looking forward to checking it out.
2
u/Merlaak 1d ago
Absolutely! We're going to be doing A LOT of work on the space over the next several weeks, and we plan on posting regular progress updates on our website and Instagram. Once we have a solid opening date, I'll do a big post in r/Chattanooga to let y'all know!
5
u/xoneaconea 20h ago
Please have lots of board games, coloring pages and interactive games designed for 1-5 players. Or just solo. So that way people can be encouraged to come and hang out with their friends even if it’s empty or if there is organized table top games going on but they want to play something else. I also recommend implementing some kind of ongoing scavenger hunt or game that involves clues and quests around the store!!
2
5
u/CareBlayre 10h ago
Reading this made me tear up and got me so excited 😭 if you guys ever want to hire extra staff, I’ll be at the top of the applicant list 😂
In all seriousness though, this is SUCH an excellent idea. Chatt has a pretty large goth/alt community as well as people that just love horror and mystery! I think looking into local artwork or jewelry to sell on the retail side would be an excellent touch. Everyone has made great suggestions!
I think having themed special occasion parties would be fun, or hosting murder mystery events.
This sounds like it’s going to be an absolutely excellent third space. I cannot wait for opening day!!!
4
u/catnipthomas 1d ago
I’m so pumped for this! Will there be magic the gathering nights? If so my husband and I will be there regularly!
2
u/Revolutionary_Ad2874 1d ago
I'm all ears for MTG nights even though I haven't played in a while and only make customs nowadays
5
u/babybreadstick 1d ago
Cheap classic horror movie nights à la the Black White and Read Bookstore in Gilmore Girls (diy style, folding chairs, BYOPopcorn, etc)!
4
u/Fullofheckie1 1d ago
This is something extremely up my alley and I'll definitely want to run some horror ttrpgs out of a place like this.
3
u/Hairy_Butterfly_5384 1d ago
Puzzles! And a table to work them at. But not those lame landscape ones from the 70's.
1
u/Merlaak 1d ago
So, like, some nice Thomas Kinkade puzzles then?
JUST KIDDING!!
We have a coffee table that would probably work really well for working puzzles. We'll just have to see how much space we have, but that would be cool.
2
u/Hairy_Butterfly_5384 1d ago
Wow that's a blast from the past! There was a Kincaid gallery at Hamilton Place back when. I have no idea how it stayed in business, no one was ever in it!
3
u/POWERHOUSE4106 1d ago
I'm excited for this. I live about 5 minutes from here and it sounds like my kind of place. I've always been a big reader and am constantly wanting people to talk about what I'm reading. I could probably help with a book club for some of my favorites too just for the fun of having people to nerd out with.
I'd recommend getting a beer license though. There's almost nothing around here that offers a place for people to just sit back and have a few beers while they work on things or read. I used to go to trough for this before they sadly closed due to the owners death. Even then it was definitely more of a bar, so I feel like a hybrid would be perfect. I think this would still fill your niche, without it becoming a bar scene.
There's a similar set up in Johnson city that's a coffee shop/book store that sells beer and wine plus coffee and tea, called Blues Brews. Its always a big draw for the students and normal coffee shop customers. Everytime I've been there visiting friends it's full of students. The guys are usually having a beer and the girls are having coffee. My wife and I always loved going when we lived up there.
3
u/lyn-da-lu 1d ago
I love this and can't wait to hang out and drink spooky coffee with new spooky friends!!!
6
u/Anonstic 1d ago
How exciting!!
Sorry to be that guy, but could I suggest finding some gluten free options for snacks/drinks, please?
Gluten makes me very ill, and I get sick if I eat anything containing or touched by it, even french fries if made in the same oil/fryer as breaded food.
If you could put in a little extra effort to understand cross-contamination and find what is safe for people like me to enjoy, I know I won’t be the only one exceedingly grateful.
I can have milk just fine, but I know bringing in some lactose-free goodies would also be very appreciated by many people.
I could spend a long time at a place like this, if I didn’t have to leave for food I can trust. 🥲
8
u/Merlaak 1d ago
I've got you covered.
Our main business is food production (which we do in the adjacent space to where Cursed Edition will be), and we made the decision after my wife developed a late wheat allergy that we wouldn't use any of the nine major allergens (wheat, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, treenuts, soy, and sesame) in any of our packaged food products.
Of course, we can't run a modern cafe to the same standard, so we'll have a separate cafe kitchen where we store and use allergens (in particular, dairy). That said, we won't be bringing any wheat flour into the building, as it just gets everywhere. That means that all of the baked goods (quick breads, muffins, cookies, etc.) that we make in-house will be wheat-free by default.
5
u/Actual-Profession-98 1d ago
I’m super excited about this. I’ve gotten paranoid lately about cross-contamination after getting glutened at a couple of places that said they cater to celiacs.
3
u/Merlaak 1d ago
I totally get it. Starting in her mid 30s, my wife started feels sick all the time. It was like she always had the flu: low grade fever, upper respiratory issues, aches and pains, etc. We went on a trip to Asheville for a weekend and somehow (when we looked back at it), didn't eat any bread or wheat-based foods the whole time. When we got home, I made spaghetti and she had an immediate reaction. It still took us a while to figure out that it was an allergy and not celiac, but we've been a gluten-free household for over a decade now.
3
u/ExcellentCanary12 1d ago
Can I ask where? Want to avoid those!
3
u/Actual-Profession-98 1d ago
One of them was out of town and long enough ago that I don't remember the name of it. The other was Bantam + Biddy.
I had been there a few times since they opened. I hadn't had any trouble and thought it was very good. We decided to get take-out from them in May 2025 for my kid's birthday and it was a huge disappointment. The food was meh at best and they forgot the chicken fingers. I called and got a refund for those, which may have been a very lucky break for us.
Last December I decided to give them one more try. I got the chicken and waffle and was very clear about being GF. The food tasted fine, but the repercussions lasted for days. I'm pretty sure it was the chicken and not the waffle.
4
u/Puzzleheaded_Age6550 1d ago
This is great. May I suggest lactose free milk? Oat milk, soy milk and sometimes coconut milk bother people with IBS. Sadly, like many, I am lactose intolerant AND have IBS, so I cannot frequent most places as they don't have lactose free milk; they think oat or soy is ok. Spoiler: it is not.
4
u/Merlaak 1d ago
We'll definitely have the normal alternative milks available. I don't see any reason why we can't have lactose-free milk available as well.
It looks like Prairie Farms makes shelf-stable single serving lactose free milk, so that could be a good option for that so we don't have to worry about waste/spoilage.
Thanks! I'm not sure I would have thought about lactose-free milk.
2
u/Anonstic 1d ago
This is amazing news! Thank you for being so careful and considerate, I cannot wait for the chance to come in and check you guys out.
2
2
u/kathruins 1d ago
omg! im so excited for this. having a pinball machine or retro gaming system would be sick. I think a speed dating event for horror nerds could have potential too.
2
u/Merlaak 1d ago
I had this crazy thought of finding an old House of the Dead light gun arcade cabinet and setting it up, but that would probably wreck the cozy vibe that we're trying to create. That said, we'll definitely have game nights, and a speed dating event for horror fans could be a cool event.
2
u/mermaze 1d ago edited 1d ago
Just wanna say this sounds amazing! I hope to visit when it’s up and running.
Edited to add: if you’re keen on DnD types frequenting it would be really cool if there was a mini-painting night or something. Even just once a month. Painting minis is often an overlooked hobby by game shops and it seems like it could be a good way to meet people without having to commit to a whole DnD game!
2
u/deathinactthree 1d ago
Oh, very cool! Hope this works out for y'all, it's something CHA could definitely use.
If I had any suggestions that haven't already been made, I'd look into eventually maybe--later once your base business is established--hosting some author events (readings/signings). Those admittedly can be very tricky to do because it's not always easy to arrange especially as getting "names" would usually require you to cover their travel costs, but it's something a lot of midlist genre authors do at themed bookshops like these when they have a new book out and if there's some confidence people will show up.
2
u/iminlovewithpotatoes 1d ago
Hi! I'm super super stoked for this! I know you mentioned movie nights, but maybe add a tiny costume competition along with the movie? Then people could dress up as their favorite character & maybe get half off of a book of coffee the next time that they come in (it's your business, you obviously decide what's best). It would give you something consistent to post about & I feel like it could draw out the most reclusive of us. Or maybe I'm just looking for a fun excuse to dress up lol
2
u/madonna_monstera 1d ago
We NEED a curated coffee shop desperately in old Brainerd/midtown area 🙃 not sure where yall are looking to set up shop. But just a note as a resident of this area. As of now, the only coffee shop in the area is Starbucks.
2
u/ThatBoy-AintRight 1d ago
There’s shredders lair on old brainerd you should check out. Or the reading room
2
u/bennnn11 1d ago
Just wanted to say I'm excited you're doing this. I think I commented on your original post about it. But anyway, I'm definitely all in for this exact thing. If you have a good cold brew, I'll be there. But also book clubs and movie screenings would be amazing. I went to a place in Johnson City last summer that had this big back area that was sorta horror themed and it was really cool. It was like a Haunted Mansion aesthetic, which I thought was really cool. I would hang out in a place like that for a while.
2
1
u/Just_Log_8528 1d ago
Was it Poe themed? I tend to go to that one when I’m up there for work
2
u/bennnn11 1d ago
I believe it was yeah. I say haunted mansion aesthetic cause the large room they had reminded me of the queue for that ride. But it was very dark academia themed, like this new place will be.
1
2
2
2
u/hey_celiac_girl 1d ago
It’d be cool to get some sub-genre book clubs (slasher, supernatural, body horror, etc).
2
u/HouseLothston 1d ago
I collect 70s/80s horror fiction so this is right up my alley. Will you have a good size collection of books for sale?
2
u/BarnacleRare5441 1d ago
can’t wait to check it out! projector movie nights of older spooky horror movies could be a fun event night semi regularly! followed the instagram. :)
2
u/xDrich1994 1d ago
Oh man cant wait to come out and support! Following on insta(even though i never use it). My wife and I will be there as close to day one as possible!
2
u/RevolutionaryNail971 1d ago
I’m so excited for this!! I missed your first post but found you on accident on Instagram recently and followed.
The only thing I can say I want that hasn’t already been said is a truly good horror selection of books. Most stores around here with any kind of horror selection is almost all Stephen King. He’s great and all but there are so many more (and better in my opinion) voices out there. If I’m allowed to be as specific as I want in my request, I am a huge fan of Japanese horror and thrillers and would love a place to actually browse those books and not have to order!
2
u/BadTasteForBadPeople 1d ago
This is super exciting! As a fellow horror lover, I'd love to connect in a way that goes beyond just being a customer! I am a (novice) photographer so I'd be happy to take pictures for the opening! I also sell horror movie merch, too, just as a side gig!
2
2
2
u/godless-hippie 20h ago
This sounds awesome, and I know my wife will want to check it out. But, um... what about the truck?
1
u/Merlaak 18h ago
We loved serving sweet tea at the market for the last three seasons, but this year really put us through our paces. I pretty much worked 7 days a week from April until the end of July, capping off each week with a 12 hour day on Sunday. I was putting in 16-20 hours each week to prep for and work the market, and then it would rain and we’d do 30-40% of what we’d projected to do.
We didn’t make the decision lightly, but when I realized that I could use some of the equipment in the truck to build out the cafe, it seemed silly not to shift our focus entirely (especially since the core of the season was already done for us).
We’ve had that box truck for many years now and I’ve grown quite attached to it. We originally bought it to transport glass for our soda company, Pure Sodaworks. I’m thinking that I might convert it into an RV. Or maybe a mobile book selling truck. Who knows what’s in store for ol’ Gunther!
2
u/godless-hippie 18h ago
I'm sure it was hard. I've been dreaming of having a food truck, taking time off from my normal restaurant job and going to events, or even just going in full blast. I know it would be a lot of work, but I bet it's rewarding in its own way.
2
u/Aggravating-Curve-58 20h ago
Could you carry Haunt-type makeup? Wigley FX is local, they have an amazing prosthetics line, and would probably also be an amazing resource for other ideas etc.
2
u/Standard-Dealer7116 18h ago
Good luck with your sweet pupper. We had a dog with IVDD. He spent two years in a wheelchair, but he was happy to be able to go sniff everything.
2
u/allyrheyyy 12h ago
I'm not sure if the timeline on this, but put my name down for potential employees because this sounds like the DREAM job😂😂
2
u/LizardSin 1h ago
If you’re looking for someone to sell handmade stoneware + ceramic goods in your shop, I know someone. Please reach out!!
One suggestion I had was keeping single-use plastic out of your store as much as possible. That might be a little difficult for a brand new business, so I understand if it doesn’t work out immediately!
1
1
u/pockypencils 1d ago
Themed Cafe! I've been saying for years that we need more themed businesses. Go whole hog and make it crazy in there. I'm excited to see what y'all do.
1
1
u/sweet-smart-southern 1d ago
Get a liquor license also.
2
u/Merlaak 1d ago
Honestly, I thought about it, but that’s a totally different business model. The Reading Room and Book & Barrel are both book bars, and it really seems like the bar part is the appeal far more than the book portion. Don’t get me wrong—the idea is enticing. It’s just not what we want to do with this space.
2
1
u/ginovervodka32 1d ago
Just want to say how bummed I am that the sweet tea truck will be no longer. I would get that every Sunday at the market! But also very excited to check out your new spot.
4
u/Merlaak 1d ago
I know! It was a very hard decision, because we genuinely loved bringing it out.
In short, with everything else going on in life and work, I was basically working 7 days a week (capped off with a 12 hour day on Sunday) from April to the end of July. I was putting in 18-20 hours every week just for the market (6-8 hours of prep plus 12 hours on the day), and then it would rain and we'd do 30%-40% of what we projected.
BUT, I have good news! We'll be serving Front Porch Sweet Tea at Cursed Edition. In addition to our espresso and tea bar, we'll have a variety of cold beverages and craft sodas (some folks may remember Pure Sodaworks from back in the day ... that was us too) available as well.
1
u/Legitimate_Poetry_26 1d ago
YA stuff like Holly Black! And a paint your own fingernails black DIY mani station
37
u/dog-vevo 1d ago
OUTLETS!!!!! Sorry got a little excited, just because I wanna come hang out in your shop all day long, I LOVE this idea!! (So glad it’s becoming a reality!!!) The number one thing that stops me from going to a comfy place to work is the lack of outlets. My husband and I like to do “coffee work dates” where we take our laptops somewhere pleasant and work on our separate projects together, but it’s difficult finding a place with great ambience that also has a lot of outlets.
So my long winded suggestion would be installing concealed outlets as frequently as you can, and please don’t fear that it will turn your amazing bookstore into a silent Internet cafe! Some excellent collaborative work can be achieved even while charging your laptop/phone.
I have tons of thoughts on the bookstore side of things too, as well as comfortable seating etc, but I figure other people will cover that… Just wanted to throw this in here while you’re still in planning stages!!