A beloved fixture of downtown Carrollton is turning the page to a new chapter. Nearly 15 years since opening the doors of Underground Books, co-owners Josh Niesse and Megan Bell have announced they will be handing the keys to longtime manager Anna Anabseh Clark, who will relaunch the store under a subtly updated name: The Underground Bookshop.
Located at 102 Alabama Street in a charming century-old underground space, the store has earned a national following and deep local love for its eclectic selection, enchanting atmosphere, and welcoming spirit. It’s also where Niesse and Bell first met—Megan walked through the doors just ten days after Josh opened the store—and where the book arch made for the couple’s wedding still stands today.
“Underground has been an all-consuming joy for us for nearly a decade and a half,” they shared. “We’ve watched it grow into something we never could have imagined—doubling in size, becoming a destination for readers from across the country, and serving as a backdrop for so many meaningful moments in our community.”
Over the years, the shop has weathered national retail challenges and even a pandemic, all while giving away thousands of books, most recently through its nonprofit arm, the Underground Books Literary Arts Foundation (UBLAF)—which will continue its work after the transition.
New owner Anna Clark is a UWG English graduate, a proud Palestinian-American, and the store’s first official manager, as well as a guiding presence in its recent evolution. She’s also a lifelong reader with a love for romantasy, horror, and literary fiction—and has always dreamed of owning a bookstore.
“From the start, Anna has brought joy, initiative, creativity, and a deep sense of care to everything she does here,” said Megan. “We’re so excited to see where she takes The Underground Bookshop in the years ahead.”
Josh and Megan will continue operating their online rare and antiquarian book business at UndergroundBooks.net, while enjoying a slower pace and spending more time with loved ones. You can follow their rare book adventures on Instagram and TikTok at @underground_bks_abaa.
A celebration, Underground: A New Chapter, is planned for the evening of Friday, July 5th, with more details to come!
Meanwhile, Niesse and Bell’s second location, Hills & Hamlets Bookshop in Serenbe, remains open and independent. Conversations about future leadership for that location are ongoing, with more updates expected soon.
For more information or to stay in the loop, visit www.UndergroundBooks.Net or stop by The Underground Bookshop at 102 Alabama Street in downtown Carrollton.
