Brainerd, Chattanooga, October 3, 2025

News Summary

A new bookstore-bar hybrid named The Reading Room is set to open at 3210 Brainerd Road in Chattanooga’s Old Town. Combining a cozy used bookstore atmosphere with a relaxed bar vibe, owner Linden Marno-Feree aims to provide an inviting space for reading and socializing. The venue will include antique decor, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and will serve a full bar along with coffee and tea. Set to accommodate 40 patrons, The Reading Room plans to enrich the local community by allowing patrons to sell their used books.

Brainerd

A new bookstore-bar hybrid called The Reading Room is set to open soon at 3210 Brainerd Road in the Old Town section of Brainerd, Chattanooga. The venue aims to provide a unique atmosphere that combines the charm of a used bookstore with the laid-back vibe of a bar. Owner Linden Marno-Feree, who has experience in both bookselling and bartending, is determined to create a space for patrons to relax, read, and socialize.

The Reading Room is expected to fill a gap in the Brainerd area, which currently has limited food and beverage options. Marno-Feree expressed concern about the typically rowdy atmosphere found in most bars around Chattanooga and hopes to offer a mellow environment more conducive to reading and socializing.

Covering approximately 1,000 square feet, the Reading Room will accommodate about 40 patrons at a time. The interior boasts features such as floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, small tables for two, booths constructed from church pews, and a communal table designed for larger gatherings. The decor will include antiques and vintage items to enhance the space’s ambiance.

Books available for reading will be sourced from sales by the Chattanooga Public Library Foundation. There are plans for patrons to sell their books for cash or credit once the initial stock is cleared. Customers will have the option to read books while at the bar without purchasing them, but any books taken away must be paid for.

The Reading Room will initially serve a full bar, along with coffee, tea, and nonalcoholic beverages. The venue will employ three staff members and will operate from noon to midnight Thursday through Saturday, with future plans to expand hours to seven days a week. The opening was originally scheduled for earlier this month but has been postponed by two weeks due to the need for final approval from the Chattanooga Beer Board.

To spread the word about the new establishment, Marno-Feree plans to use social media platforms for updates on the official opening date. The business has already engaged with the community through pop-up events with the Downtown Public Library, where sales of used books helped generate revenue.

In addition to The Reading Room, a pizza restaurant is also in development along the same stretch of Brainerd Road, with plans to offer their pizza at the new bookstore-bar venue.

The build-out of The Reading Room was managed by Brian Hennen and Lewis Armistead, who have previous experience with the Boneyard bar in downtown Chattanooga. Marno-Feree’s past at the Harvard bookstore significantly influenced her business model as she adapts to the challenges posed by online retailers like Amazon.

Key Features of The Reading Room

• Location: 3210 Brainerd Road, Brainerd, Chattanooga
• Size: 1,000 square feet
• Seating Capacity: 40 patrons
• Initial Staff: 3 employees
• Operating Hours: Noon to midnight, Thursday through Saturday
• Available Beverages: Full bar, coffee, tea, and nonalcoholic drinks
• Bookselling: Initially sourced from Chattanooga Public Library Foundation; patrons can sell their books later
• Interior Design: Antiques and vintage decor

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Additional Resources

• Times Free Press: The Reading Room Bookstore and Bar Opening Soon
• Noogatoday: The Reading Room Bar & Bookstore
• Chattanooga Pulse: Best of Both Worlds – The Reading Room
• Wikipedia: Bookstore
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Bar

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

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