LEWISTON — She’s going for small, local, readable chic.

Greene native Courtney Schlachter opened a new 165-square-foot independent bookstore Quiet City on Lisbon Street last week. She’s highlighting local authors, her artwork and new and used books.

“I love when they’re nice and worn in, and I just love the personality that comes with used books,” said Schlachter, 34. “As long as somebody comes in and finds something they wanted or something they never knew they couldn’t live without, I’m happy.”

Schlachter said she’s wanted to open a bookstore since working at one in Texas, where her husband is from. She’d been looking for the right time and right space and found the open spot on the second floor at 277 Lisbon St., above Paul’s Clothing.

At the front of her shop there’s a shelf highlighting local works: Cloth-bound journals created by Anna Low’s Purplebean Bindery in Auburn. Lewiston author Shawn Patrick White’s thriller “A Good Meal.” A small photo book titled “Sometimes a funny sea” by Leeds native Sam Grant, a photographer now living in Barcelona.

Nonlocal books are up to half off the cover price, most between $5 and $10, and span all ages and topics, from “Pilates for Dummies” to “The Hunger Games” series. Used children’s books are as low as $1.

Schlachter said she’s sold her art under the name Quiet City for a decade. For her shop, she’s made whimsical fairy crowns and headbands, prints, postcards and stationary. She’s planning to be part of the annual local art walk once it starts back up.

Shop hours will eventually be 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, Friday 10 to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 to 6 p.m., but will be a little disjointed for the next two weeks as she finishes up her first year as a graphic design student at Central Maine Community College.

“I want to someday design covers for books,” she said.

Current hours will be posted on Facebook. She said she’s not too concerned about getting enough foot traffic and hopes to benefit from being next to The Hive artist collective, of which she’s a member, and Downtown Handmade & Vintage.

“The people who want books are going to find the books,” said Schlachter.

kskelton@sunjournal.com