After more than 30 years as a cornerstone of downtown Cornelia, Books with Appeal will soon close its doors—marking the end of an era for a business built as much on relationships as it was on books.
Originally established in its current form in the early 1990s, the store was the vision of the late Glenda Boling, who purchased an existing bookstore and relocated it to its longtime home near the post office.
Though not known as an avid reader herself, Boling built the business around something even more powerful—people.
“She loved books, but she loved the people more than anything else,” said her daughter, Vicki Boling Jones, who now owns the store.
For those who want to hear more of her story in her own words, a full video interview is available here:
https://youtu.be/07SaDyI7xuA
A Store Rooted in Relationships
Over the years, Books with Appeal became far more than a place to buy books. It was a gathering place, a shipping hub and, for many, a daily stop.
Boling adapted as the retail landscape changed, adding UPS services early on—long before online shopping became widespread. That service helped keep the store relevant as traditional book sales began to decline.
“She was constantly looking for other avenues to bring in revenue,” Jones said, noting that her mother eventually expanded into shipping, returns and special book orders to meet customer needs.
But what truly set the store apart was Boling’s personal connection with her customers. She knew them, cared about them and often stayed involved in their lives beyond the store’s walls.
That connection turned customers into something more like family.
A Family Legacy Continues—and Comes to a Close
When Glenda Boling passed away unexpectedly in 2019, her husband Jerry, along with staff and family, made the decision to keep the store open.
With the help of longtime employee Alicia—who had just begun working at the store months before Boling’s passing—the business continued operating, carrying forward the same spirit that had defined it for decades.
After Jerry Boling’s passing in early 2024, the responsibility of the store fell to Jones.
In recent months, she worked to reimagine the space—rearranging the store, expanding offerings from local authors and hosting events like book readings and author meet-and-greets in an effort to bring new life into the business.
“We really put a focus on local authors,” Jones said. “You’d be amazed at how many are right here in our area.”
Despite those efforts, the challenges facing independent bookstores proved difficult to overcome.
The Realities Facing Small Bookstores
Like many small, independent retailers, Books with Appeal struggled to compete with the pricing power of major chains and online giants.
In some cases, Jones said, large retailers are able to sell books at prices lower than what independent stores can purchase them for wholesale.
“It’s really difficult for a brick-and-mortar store to stay in business,” she said.
While services like UPS brought steady foot traffic, they did not generate enough revenue to sustain the business long-term.
More Than a Bookstore
For Jones, the decision to close is not about a lack of passion—but the realities of time and responsibility.
In addition to the bookstore, she now manages several other family businesses left behind by her father, a lifelong entrepreneur.
Still, closing the store has been deeply emotional.
“It’s been very emotional for me,” she said. “But hearing customers come in and talk about my mom—that touches my heart.”
A Final Chapter—and an Invitation
As the doors prepare to close, Jones is inviting the community to stop in one last time—to browse, to shop and to say goodbye.
The shelves still hold a wide selection of books, gifts and works by local authors, many of whom found a home on those walls thanks to Bolling’s vision.
More than anything, the closing of Books with Appeal marks the loss of a place where community came first—a reminder of the role small businesses play not just in commerce, but in connection.
And as Jones reflects on her mother’s legacy, one thing is clear:
The story of Books with Appeal was never just about books.
