Stephanie Spear 
Old Town Alexandria is getting a new bookstore, but this one is trading the typical cozy-bookshop vibe for something a little darker. Long Dark House is opening soon at 1510 King Street with shelves dedicated to horror + science fiction, spooky reads for younger bookworms, Southern Gothic candles, chocolates from Madame Coco, and a calendar of events for book lovers of all stripes. The shop is the creation of Alexandria resident Chanthal Harris, who is turning a lifelong love of literature into a gathering place for readers, writers, gamers, and the horror-curious. The Fairfax Girl got an exclusive first look at the shop and had the chance to chat with Chantal about what to expect from Long Dark House. Read on for more about Long Dark House opening soon in Old Town Alexandria.
About Chanthal
Owner Chanthal Harris is originally from North Carolina and has lived in Alexandria for the past five years. “I came for work originally, and I just fell in love with the area,” Chantal said. “I came on a temp visit, and I found myself keep getting drawn back here, and so I took down roots and decided that this was it for me.”
Books have always been part of the bigger picture for Chanthal, even while growing her career and achieving other goals. “I have always loved literature ever since I was very young, and when I think about all the things I would love to do in life, having a bookstore, or working in books, always was part of that,” Chantal said.
She describes this point in her life as a “second season.” “With this time of my life, I decided to pursue more of what I’ve had passions in, especially in the past year,” she said. That process continually brought her back to books. “Really, all roads with that came back to literature, reading, writing, things like that,” Chantal said. “And so it kind of culminated in what I consider a love letter to genres that have been very impactful to me in my life.”
Before Long Dark House came Hemlock + Hearth, Chantal’s Southern Gothic-inspired fragrance brand.
“Literature is my first love. Fragrance is my second,” she said. “When I really started to explore more of my creative side, I dipped my toe in with a passion of mine, which is indie perfumery and storytelling through fragrance.” Hemlock + Hearth started in early 2025. “The brand is a Southern Gothic brand, tied back to literature,” Chantal said. “I’ve created a really fun community. I think without it, I wouldn’t be able to have this bookstore.”
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She credits that first venture with helping her build the confidence to take an even bigger creative leap. “It’s laid the groundwork for me feeling brave enough to do this, and to try this, and to fully kind of pursue my creative [side],” she said.
Long Dark House
When Chanthal was looking for a space for the store, she was open to landing anywhere in the DC area. “I was looking for a space for the store and was open to where I would end up, but this space [in Alexandria] opened up, and it was perfect,” she said. The space at 1510 King Street was formerly home to The Thirteenth Floor tattoo studio.
Through pop-ups and other events with Hemlock + Hearth, Chanthal got to know other local entrepreneurs and learn more about the community. One in particular was Meshelle Armstrong, the owner of several Alexandria businesses, including The Parlour, where Chanthal had participated in several pop-up markets and events.
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“I reached out to Meshelle Armstrong, who owns The Parlor, as well as The Hummingbird and Madame Coco, and I just love the vibes,” Chantal said. “I thought it would be a lot of fun to collaborate.”
“I was very grateful that she was so on board with the idea, embraced me fully, and since then, we’ve had a lot of fun,” Chanthal said. Meshelle’s Madame Coco chocolate shop is co-located inside Long Dark House, with an ultra-spooky selection of thematic treats.
Long Dark House will primarily focus on horror and science fiction, two genres Chantal feels have historically been underappreciated. “I definitely took a big chance,” she said. The response so far has reassured her. “I’ve had such great conversations, and that’s been the best part,” she said. “I feel like I already have a community and the door’s not even open yet.”
What to Expect
Long Dark House will carry books for devoted horror and sci-fi fans, but Chantal wants the store to feel equally approachable for someone entering either genre for the first time. “We’ll always have a section for readers who are new to sci-fi, new to horror,” she said. “We will curate selections there where folks who are dipping their toe in, who are maybe a little curious. Books that are gateway reads into the genre.”
The staff will also help guide readers based on their individual comfort levels. “Our team is super knowledgeable in various areas across these two genres, and they’re also eager to share suggestions for folks who are just exploring these genres,” she said.
There will be books for younger readers, too. “Even though children’s literature is not my expertise, I decided to include a section for youth because I feel like all of us have ownership in our community for our youth,” Chantal said.
Books played a major role in her own childhood, something she hopes to pass along. “I know how important literature was for me growing up,” she said. “I would not be the person I am if I didn’t essentially grow up in the library and have those opportunities before I had the privilege to travel and work and all this.”
She also thinks spooky books can provide an entry point for children who do not naturally gravitate toward reading. “I would also love more kids reading spooky literature,” Chantal said. “I think reading can sometimes feel heavy for a lot of folks. I think if you get kids to be readers, it opens up your mind and your world to so many things,” she added. “Empathy, learning other communities — and I think these stories, I’m biased, but they’re fun.”
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As excited as Chanthal is about the book selection, she’s almost more excited about the programming that Long Dark House will offer. “Events will be a huge part of the store, ” Chantal said. Book clubs will be part of the mix, ranging from traditional horror and science-fiction groups to more casual gatherings. “Besides a wide variety of book clubs, with niche interests, of course, some of the obvious ones with horror and sci-fi, but then also some more low-pressure ones where the emphasis isn’t on us all reading the same book,” she said. “Even if you aren’t a heavy reader, people can just talk about books and literature and stories.”
The store also plans to support writers. “We’ll also have workshops, both free and paid, for aspiring and established writers,” Chanthal said. Chanthal also wants to offer game nights, themed teas, craft events, and more.
While Halloween will naturally be a big day at the shop, other holidays will get their own Long Dark House spin. “I love cheesy things, so I love holidays – all holidays. I celebrate them,” she said.
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Ultimately, Chantal hopes Long Dark House adds one more distinct destination to Alexandria’s already established literary community.
“Even if you’re not a reader, people come to Alexandria; there are so many amazing bookstores here, [with] a variety of flavors,” she said. “I hope when people come and they visit, they really take advantage of all the amazing things that we have to offer, and others have to offer, because I think it’s really representative of the community.”
And as the opening gets closer, she remains especially appreciative of the people who have already shown support.
“Thank you to everyone who’s had it, shared a kind word, liked and followed along,” Chantal said. “It’s really special to see the community rally around something like this, and I’m really excited.”
Long Dark House is located at 1510 King Street in Old Town Alexandria. It will officially open on September 1st, 2026.
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