The Viridian Bookshop Marks a New Chapter for Downtown Willoughby

When it came to naming The Viridian Bookshop, bringing a lifelong vision into existence, Chanel Bush and her partner, Joseph, landed simply on the namesake hue. But the choice was no random spin of the color wheel.

“If you're surrounded by a color like viridian, it brings a warmth of peace to your soul,” Joseph muses. “It's that magical type of environment that you would want to be in to have adventures.”

And the Downtown Willoughby shop has certainly lived up to its name since opening in October 2025. Deep green walls meet antiqued furniture and mystical art for what Chanel considers a “dark academia” vibe. A surplus of couches and plants beckon you to stay and linger over a book and good conversation, which is exactly what Chanel and Joseph had in mind. When the building at 4081 Erie St. — formerly Eastside Relics antique shop — became available in September of 2024, they felt a calling to create a “third space” for slowing down in an area bustling with nightlife and local flair.

“I had numerous people reach out to me through social media or stop by when I was working on the store, saying just how much they are needing a space like this,” Chanel says, “a place to come hang out that's not a bar, a restaurant or cafe.”

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The dynamic space reflects the couple’s myriad interests while also meeting community needs beyond books, with two dedicated game rooms for hobbies ranging from board games, card games like Magic: The Gathering and roleplay games like Dungeons & Dragons. Another multipurpose room is used for book clubs, open mic nights, crafting workshops and other events. As for the retail space, a large collection of new, used, rare and vintage books is available across nonfiction, romance, historical fiction, sci-fi and fantasy.

Chanel says that opening this store has had a “huge impact” on her and Joe, “getting to know these people and their stories.” And As customers invest in the store with purchases, she feels encouraged to “work harder to provide a space that’s worthy of them” as a way to give back.

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For prospective customers and those looking to broaden their "To Be Read" list, Chanel offers her top three favorite books currently available at The Viridian Bookshop.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

This award-winning historical novel details the “heartbreaking, fictionalized true story of events in Auschwitz through the lens of a tattooist.” Chanel highlights the impact of this fresh perspective on readers.

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Chanel describes this book as “orphans plus dragons.” The novel is perfect for fans of Fourth Wing who are seeking a story with less spice but just as much rivalry. 

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

An all-time favorite novel for Chanel and one she considers well worth the read, this new sci-fi series imagines a world in which the “universe has been invaded by alien creatures.” The story follows the “journey of the main character finding a way to cope with the loss of her crew,” she adds, also warning that some body horror is present.

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