From First Date to Bookstore Owners: Hart Family Takes Ownership of Chapters on Main

Grand Reopening Celebration Planned for July 4 as Beloved Bookstore Enters Its Next Era

FORT SMITH, Ark. — A beloved River Valley bookstore is turning the page to an exciting new chapter.

On June 28, longtime owner Alison Goodwin will officially pass ownership of Chapters on Main to Beth and Josh Hart, a local couple whose own story is deeply connected to the bookstore's legacy.

For Beth Hart, Chapters on Main has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. Having lived in the River Valley since early childhood, she grew up visiting the bookstore and dreaming among its shelves. Her roots in the community run deep. Beth's parents owned the Sunshine Cafe in Natural Dam throughout her childhood, instilling in her an appreciation for small business, hospitality, and community connection from an early age.

Over the past nine years, Beth has become a familiar face throughout the River Valley through her work as a marketing professional, helping local businesses and organizations grow and thrive. She also served as publisher of Somewhere Over the River, a publication dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of Crawford County. In 2025, she was recognized as one of the area's 40 Under 40 business leaders for her professional accomplishments and community involvement.

Josh Hart brings years of leadership experience from his work with Capital One and Traxxis, where he served as a call center manager. Together, Beth and Josh share a passion for community, family, and creating welcoming spaces where people can connect.

What makes this transition especially meaningful is that Chapters on Main played a role in their own love story.

In June 2025, Beth and Josh had their very first date at Chapters on Main. Two months later, they were married, blending their families and proving that sometimes life writes a better story than fiction ever could. Today, they are raising five children together and are excited to begin this next adventure as small business owners.

Now, they are continuing a tradition that began with Beth's parents. Just as the Sunshine Cafe was a family-run business, Chapters on Main will be as well. All five Hart children will be involved in the bookstore, helping create a welcoming environment while learning the value of entrepreneurship, hard work, and community service.

"This bookstore has always been special to me," said Beth Hart. "I grew up coming here, and now our family has the incredible opportunity to carry its story forward. We are honored that Alison has entrusted us with something that means so much to this community. Just as my parents involved our family in their business, we're excited for all five of our children to be part of this journey and help create memories here for years to come."

The Hart family is committed to preserving everything readers have come to love about Chapters on Main while making thoughtful improvements for the future.

Customers can expect the same welcoming atmosphere, community-centered spirit, cozy coffee experience, and carefully curated book selection that have made the bookstore a local favorite. Alongside that familiar charm, the Harts are introducing a refreshed logo, several building enhancements, and more than 150 new titles to the shelves.

To prepare for the transition and complete updates to the space, Chapters on Main will be closed beginning June 29. The bookstore will reopen with a Grand Reopening Celebration on July 4, 2026, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary.

Community members are invited to stop by, explore the updates, shop the expanded inventory, and celebrate the bookstore's next chapter.

"The books are staying. The coffee is staying," Hart said. "We're simply giving the space a little refresh while keeping the heart and soul of what makes Chapters on Main such a special place."

As Alison Goodwin passes the torch after years of dedicated stewardship, the Hart family looks forward to honoring the bookstore's history while creating new memories for generations of readers to come.

For the Hart family, this isn't simply the purchase of a business. It's the continuation of a community gathering place, a family tradition, and a story that began within the walls of the bookstore itself.

For more information about the grand reopening celebration, follow Chapters on Main on social media or visit the store after July 4 to experience the next chapter for yourself.

Media Contact
Beth Hart
Chapters on Main
479-262-4641