Bluebird & Co., Crozet, VA

3/16/2025

On a Saturday night in February 2025, my friend Jen and I drove over the mountain for a book launch at one of our favorite book shops within a one-hour radius. The small space of Bluebird & Co., a light blue cottage in the heart of Crozet, VA, was packed with over thirty people eager to listen to the author and support one of their own: Elizabeth Becker, who was introducing her debut novel The Moonlight Healers.

And as if a book launch alone isn’t enough, Elizabeth had teamed up with the owners of Bluebird, Chelsea Powers and Flannery Buchanan, to honor and celebrate local nurses (nurses and healing are a central theme of the book): they had lovingly handpicked a local gift basket to take care of those who take care of others. A collective sigh and round of applause filled the room as Elizabeth shared some of the personal nominations submitted by the local community.

And that personal touch is exactly what you can expect at Bluebird & Co. What may strike you as a well curated retail shop at first sight soon reveals itself as a space for the community to come together, linger, talk books and catch up on life.

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Bluebird is not only the cutest bookstore and boutique you'll step into - it's the heart of our community. Chelsea and Flannery pour their time and energy into making our town a more vibrant, welcoming place. When I first moved to Crozet, I felt out of sorts and disoriented, but the moment I stepped into Bluebird, I knew I'd be ok. It's so much more than a bookstore - it's a gathering space, a source of inspiration, and a testament to the power of community.
April Auger-Perrin, customer

All this is owed to the duo of female entrepreneurs who are on a mission to create a welcoming, community-driven space that empowers individuals in every stage of their journey: Chelsea Powers and Flannery Buchanan.

“Our paths crossed through the local small business network and we quickly realized we were kindred spirits with big dreams. When the little blue house in the heart of Crozet became available, we knew we had to take a leap of faith, together. What started as individual side hustles became Bluebird & Co, a shared retail space to house our two businesses Bluebird Book Stop and Fancy & Nell. The result is a bustling business that cultivates community, builds captivating libraries, and curates beautiful wardrobes.”, Chelsea and Flannery tell me when I visit Bluebird.

Building a Bookish community

Not only Flannery and Chelsea are serious about their books; the entire Bluebird team must be some of the best-read booksellers in the state. An entire shelf flaunts staff recommendations, and their book club genres span from Young Adult and Historical Fiction to Horror & Thriller and Romance. One look at their event calendar reveals a deep dedication to local authors: Not a month goes by without at least one author event.

I love Bluebird so much I hardly know where to start. Flannery’s is so good at guiding readers in a knowledgeable and personal way to find a book they'll fall in love with. She and Chelsea are tremendous supporters of authors. And best of all, they have created a community, a place to connect, a place you want to be.
Sara Read, customer and local author

With a population of less than 10,000 people, Crozet is a small community that is home to one library, three coffee shops and a world famous pizzeria called “Crozet Pizza” (named “Best in the World” by National Geographic alongside similar accolades from other travel guides). And yet, Bluebird & Co. has built a strong community that draws audiences from Charlottesville to the Shenandoah Valley (yours truly).

Their key to success? They truly love what they do, and they do it in community.

Chelsea and Flannery host regular writing retreats in collaboration with local authors, restaurants and AirBnBs. They actively support the Virginia Festival of the Book, and in 2024, they launched the Crozet Book Fest to bring more attention to local authors.

Praise for Crozet Book Fest

I absolutely adore Bluebird and Co.—half my wardrobe comes from the shop! I also love their unique book selection, which goes beyond just the most popular titles, and the chance to support local artisans all in one place. But more than anything, my favorite thing about Bluebird and Co. is the community they’ve created. Every time you step inside, you’re bound to see a friend (or five), with kids happily playing as you shop. It’s a warm, welcoming space that always feels like home.
Maggie Robertson, customer

A curated experience

Whether you’re looking for your next great read, tasteful souvenirs or a new outfit, Bluebird & Co. is worth the trip. My 7-year old daughter heads straight for the ice cream cart in the kids section while I browse and chat about books. Bluebird recently expanded their footprint by opening up their lower level to house their Romance section, cookbooks, Crozet merchandise and more apparel.

Our favorite interactions are the ones where customers come into the shop looking for a book for a recommendation. We specialize in hand selling books, titles that you may not have heard about or known to pick up.
Flannery Buchanan & Chelsea Powers

If you can’t make it all the way to Crozet, you can also find the Bluebird experience inside the Metal Crafters Building in Waynesboro: Bluebird & Co. has taken up residence inside HAPP coffee with a small outpost called “Happen Chance”.