A nearby town has a used book store. In a world where it seems that many of the small book shops have lost out to the big box stores, this one still remains open. It is very humble and plain on the inside. The wood floors squeak, and there is no barista or giant size muffins.
This book store is a general shop which emphasizes good literature and scholarly books in many different fields. The funny and odd thing about its name is that it is not located in Chatham, as the sign reads. It is actually located in the next town over in a town called Madison. What happened there? Someday, I will have to find out.
As you approach the front door, your eyes immediately become fixated on the shelves outside the store, which are crammed with books. The honesty policy is take a good book, give back a good book. No matter how many times I pass by, I always smile to myself when I see these shelves filled to the brim.
As soon as you walk through the door, you immediately see the stuffed shelves and smell old books just waiting to be read. I love that this shop has stayed true to its beginnings. Many things may change, but this bookstore has not. And that is okay by me.
Do you have an interesting shop in your town that is unique?
Good Morning. I LOVE this post. Thank you. Certainly will post one special shop from MY town...
ReplyDeleteHave a good day
Godeliva from Ariadone
That store looks wonderful! I wrote a post titled "Where Have All the Bookstores Gone?" back on April 27th that bemoaned the loss of stores just like this one. They have a charm and class that Borders, Barnes & Noble, and the other big box stores can't match. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWe are selling our 2nd home in Vermont and looking for a new old one in New England somewhere. Aside from a cool old kitchen with a pantry, one of my prerequisites is that we have a town to walk to, or a short drive away...a real town not a strip mall. A place to peruse books, chat with neighbors, pick up the paper, read the community board, find some treasures at the church rummage sale. We are fortunate that we don't have to worry about commute times or schools with a 2nd home so the choices are endless. Where will we end up? Wherever it is I hope there is a cool bookstore like this one!
ReplyDeleteThat bookstore looks like a real treasure. Do they sell old, second hand books, too? I'm a sucker for an old book. Nothing thrills me more than to find a book with an old, dated inscription inside the cover. I have a small collection of children's mysteries from the 1930's and before and some of them have "Happy Birthday" with a name and a date on them. It just makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteWe have a good old fashioned "Hardware Store" and I always love to go there. One can find a little red wagon, cleaning supplies, a garden tool and a "Good Morning Greeting!" I love these sorts of places.
ReplyDeleteWishing we had a book shop like that, but we do have a library which I frequent.
Super special post as book shops are some of my favorite things. We have two of this kind and I haunt them. One you can take your old books to and they give you credit and the other you buy but the good thing is they will search for rare books. Of course, its pretty easy to do on your own now but before technology they found some great titles. Have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteO how I love these places. I am glad to have found your blog. I loved this post also.
ReplyDeleteLittle towns with actual stores to walk to -- what else could one ask for? The new trend is to have the 'old one' back: stores on street level, and offices and residents on the above levels. This is a great concept and has brought vibrance back to older neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteYour blogging style is very serene. and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Kathy! I love browsing in small, old bookstores like the one you picture. Biblio's comment reminded me of the great little bookstore that was here in Brooklyn for many years and closed its doors last year. What a huge disappointment that was! It was so personal and invited browsing, encouraged people to chat with the owners and in several corners big, comfy armchairs sat encouraging people to sit & read. And once a month the owner sponsored a wonderful book club with home baked goods! It was delightful. That store is sorely missed. You just don't get the same feeling in the large chains.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Aimala02@yahoo.com
I'm going to have to visit this place - I love cozy little bookstores.
ReplyDeleteI'm in love (and have often blogged about) Country by the Sea in Avon, NJ. It's a great co-op of women who each have stuff to sell there...vintage and new...capped off with a tea room tucked off to the side. I've only eaten in the tea room once, but I love the sense of community I get every time I go there (which is often :-) and watch the "ladies who lunch." I've also picked up some great shore house pieces there.
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