Couple turns garage into book store

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) -- New London is home to a new independent bookstore. It's a big change from the big box stores and online shopping.

It was her passion for books and their experience in retail which first prompted Chris and Gina Jones to open their own book store. And they've never looked back.

"New London just needs a general book store badly and we want to be a great book store," said Chris Jones, Monte Cristo Books.

It's a work in progress and has come a long way.

"It's a functioning piano, it's tuned and it's going to be a display table as well on the top of it."

An eclectic mix of furniture shapes Monte Cristo Bookshop. They've transformed what was once the Monte Cristo garage and took it's name. The stories aren't only on the shelves, one piece was a bar on a sailboat with the Department of Defense logo carved into it.

"It serves as a good counter. It does and a good conversation piece. Yes it is absolutely."

In this day and age of online shopping and book store closings, this opening still seemed right.

"You want to come down to the store and it makes you feel good," Chris said, "if that's important to you? Then here we are."

"It definitely has more of a homely feel to it than any large book store," said Patrick Lacoursiere, of Groton.

"I love small businesses, so it's really good to see it and I'm sure it's going to flourish," said Meghan Lacoursiere, of Groton.

A local store featuring local authors, along with books on Pregnancy & Parenting, Mysteries, and Children's books.

There's even a signed book section. They have Ann Patchett there and A Patriot's Handbook with Caroline Kennedy's John Hancock.

Again it's a work in progress.

"I'm curious to see what New London buys and we well give the people what they want," Chris said.

And a brand new chapter for the couple.