Petersen's Bookstore is a small, proudly independent bookshop in Hastings, nestled on Westernport Bay. We sell books, stationery, gifts, teaching and homeschool resources, games and puzzles. We support local initiatives and love being involved in our community.
Our beginnings
Petersen’s Bookstore was established in 2009 by local business owner and teacher Natalie Petersen. The store had a focus on educational and teaching resources and over time the store grew to include all manner of books, educational resource and stationery needs.
A passionate reader and educator, Natalie's community support can easily be seen to this day, with the amazing customers who continue enjoy the store.
Where we are today
In 2025, Chantelle Doulis took ownership of the store. An eclectic and somewhat chaotic reader and enjoyer of contradictory genres, Chantelle is relishing her role as caretaker of this beautiful store in Hastings.
Known for her passion for literature and her dedication to fostering local voices, Chantelle brings fresh energy and vision to the store. Her plans to expand events, strengthen ties with schools, and create a welcoming space for readers of all ages align perfectly with what a modern bookstore should be: inclusive, dynamic, and deeply rooted in community.
Petersen’s new chapter reminds us that books—and the people who steward them—remain vital to our cultural life.
Meet our team of passionate readers
Book lovers, bibliophiles, bookworms, philobiblists, booktroverts or simply avid readers – it’s in our DNA, it’s who we are. If you’re after a chat about a book, a recommendation or want to recommend a book to us pop into the store!
Chantelle Doulis
Chantelle is the owner of Petersen’s Bookshop. A passionate reader, runner, mum and enjoyer of being on a committee.
Chantelle is fortunate to have always had access to books and reading thanks to a cohort of passionate, well-read women surrounding and raising her. From sitting in a tree reading the Hobbit, to cheekily reading when she should be sleeping (both as a teen and an adult!). Chantelle is usually reading or listening to about six different books at once.
Favourite Books: Love Stories and Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton are firm favourites, along with The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, The Hobbit, The Centre Cannot Hold, The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue and anything by Alison Lester that I can read with the kids.
Least Favourite Books: The Silmarillion, The Twilight Series, The Alchemist, Quicksilver and Dubliners. Basically anything with tedious exposition, or unrealistic character/plot development. Sorry Paulo Coehlo – not a fan of how it all played out.
Georgia Lambrogiotas
Melissa Parris
Lifelong bibliophile and passionate enjoyer of all things literary, Melissa joined the Petersen’s team in 2025. As a young adult she devoured suspense, crime, rom coms and the epic story telling of Bryce Courtenay. These days she’s enjoying
contemporary female authors such as Ann Patchett, Elizabeth Strout, Curtis Sittenfeld, Claire Keegan and Anne Tyler (whose back catalogue she’s working through).
Melissa will read almost anything apart from science fiction and hasn’t delved into fantasy although never say never. Reading is a passion for Melissa – a means of escape, entertainment and way of learning and staying curious.
Favourite Books: Charlotte’s Web (the first book I cried over), Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (Cheryl Strayed), To Kill a Mockingbird and Are you There God it’s Me Margaret. These days she’s enjoying contemporary female authors such as Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout.
Least Favourite Books: The Transit of Venus, Anna Karenina & Fifty Shades of Grey (everything about this one).