'Every town should have a bookstore': Where to find a locally owned book shop
Searching for new reads or beloved older books? Grabbing a coffee with British snacks? Or perhaps you're looking to pet a bunny while cuddling up with a book? Local bookstores can offer all those experiences and more.
Locally owned bookstores have faced a succession of challenges: national chains, then online shopping, then the rise of ebooks. But many local shops are not only still around, but thriving. In fact, more bookstores are popping up.
Some seek to be as much community centers as bookstores — brewing coffee, selling imported products, hosting events, or even raising pets.
For Leah Bloom, owner of Sleepy Hollow Bookshop, the bookstore is about connecting people and offering experience. After 15 years of living in Sleepy Hollow and desiring a place for young readers, Bloom opened the bookstore in November 2022.
“Every town should have a bookstore,” she said. “This is really a community space that different people can use in different ways. I love doing that and watching it happen.”
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In The Hamlet British Shop in Mount Kisco, owners Leigh and Drew Hodgson filled the shelves with imported British foods, beverages, books, vinyl records and gift items. A red phone booth on the corner welcomes customers from all over the tri-state area.
Pickwick Bookshop in Nyack has piles of books covering the floor and walls. Subjects are separated in stacks. They were set up that way to make things "easier for customers and booksellers.”
“Just take the books from the top, don’t take from the middle and you’ll be fine,” said John Dunnigan, owner of Pickwick Books, in business since 1945. “This bookstore has succeeded because we have a very supportive community for us.”
Bookstore owners are optimistic about the future of bookstores. They say their business is sustainable, thanks in part to organizing events, selling food, beverages and merchandise, and even being open to online sales.
“I think bookstores are making a comeback," Hodgson said. "People miss being able to hold a book in their hands. Die-hard book lovers are still out there."
Here’s a roundup of independent bookstores in the region that are waiting for you to stop by and browse:
Sleepy Hollow Bookstore, 95 Beekman Ave., Sleepy Hollow, 914-631-0541, sleepyhollowbookshop.com
It's a children’s and young adult bookstore and coffee shop, where children can draw on a chalk board and teenagers can hang out after school. The store hosts author events and story times.
Scattered Books, 29 King St., Chappaqua, 914-529-8013, scatteredbooks.com
This shop is located in an antique house and has a private party room. It also hosts author signings. Don’t forget to say hi to the bookstore bunnies, Acorn and Oatmeal, while you browse children’s books, chapter books, graphic novels and more.
The Hamlet British Store, 23 S. Moger Ave., Mount Kisco, 914-334-1737, thehamletny.com
If you're an Anglophile or are close to one, ask for co-owner Drew or store manager Jon Robinson, who were born and grew up in England. Leigh was born and raised in the U.S., but also enjoys sharing stories about her British travels.
Hudson Valley Books for Humanity, 67 Central Ave., Ossining, 914-847-0773, hvbooksforhumanity.com
Anyone who knows owner Amy Hall will say she’s devoted to having a social and environmental impact. Her mission is to bring people together through books and events and to make it possible for anyone to find a book they can afford and in which they can see themselves reflected.
Arcade Booksellers, 9 Theodore Fremd Ave., Rye, arcadebookstore.com
One of the oldest businesses in Rye, Arcade carries a range of books – from children’s pop-up books to the most current fiction and nonfiction titles – but its real draw is its knowledgeable owner. Not sure what to get for a 6-year-old this Christmas? Arcade owner Patrick Corcoran is always eager to help with spot-on recommendations.
Bruised Apple Books, 923 Central Ave., Peekskill, bruisedapplebooks.com
The bookstore has been buying, selling and trading all sorts of used, out of print and sometimes truly rare books, records, CDs and movies since 1993. It has about 50,000 titles organized into about 200 subject headings that are "nestled along aisles wide enough to avoid the dreaded claustrophobia."
By-the-Dam Books, 4 Old Post Road, Croton-on-Hudson, facebook.com/bythedambooks/
Opened in 2021, the bookstore features new releases and backlists. It hosts author readings, story times and book groups.
The Village Bookstore, 10 Washington Ave., Pleasantville, thevillagebookstore.net
With over 10,000 books ranging from history to poetry, travel, cookbooks and children's books, the bookstore also features hand-selected cards, journals and gifts.
Picture Book, 145 Palisade St., Suite 200, Dobbs Ferry, picturebookny.com
Picture Book was created by Sara Davidson Johns, who enjoys curating books, after a career in contemporary art. She says you'll find "the best books for your kids with ease," while also discovering your own grown up “picture book,” which could be a "new cookbook with ideas for your next dinner party, that hot new novel you keep hearing about, even that stunning monograph on the artist that just had a show at the Guggenheim."
Transom Bookshop, 23 Main St., Tarrytown, transombookshop.com
This shop is named for the Latin word "transtrum," which means a strengthening crossbar, in particular one set above a window or door. The owner designed and curated Transom Bookshop to feel as though you’ve crossed over into a new place — "one filled with possibility, excitement, wonder, and joy—a place where you can discover something unexpected."
Booksy Galore, 67 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge, booksygalore.com
"A little bookstore with a big heart." The bookstore has books, vinyl and vintage typewriters.
Katonah Reading Room, 19 Edgemont Road, Katonah, katonahreadingroom.com
Operated in a historic building that was moved on rolling logs to make way for the New York City reservoir, the bookstore combines books with coffee and food.
Bronx River Books, 37 Spencer Place, Scarsdale, bronxriverbooks.com
This bookstore is a destination for readers of all ages, displaying over 17,000 different titles, including contemporary and classic fiction, children’s and young adult selections, suspense and speculative fiction titles, and books about contemporary affairs, history, science, philosophy, cooking, arts and music, parenting, fitness, and Westchester history.
"We strive to foster a community where readers gather to meet today's writers and hear them read from their works," the website says.
J Anderson's Books, 96 Chatsworth Ave., Larchmont, jandersonsbooks.com
The mission of this 76-year-old bookstore is to "connect with the community, foster intellectual curiosity and create a safe and welcoming space for all."
Womrath Bookstore, 76 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, womrathbooks.com
Womrath has been a Bronxville fixture for over 80 years. Morin and Barbara Bishop, a writer and a graphic designer, purchased the bookshop in 2019. Changes includes improved signage to highlight various genres, a customer seating area, and warmer lighting. "The inventory, however, is not changing," the website says. It hosts author readings and book discussions.
Pickwick Bookshop, 8 S. Broadway, Nyack, 845-358-9126, pickwickbookshop.com
No beverage is allowed because “coffee spill is the worst thing that can happen in a bookstore.”
Big Red Books, 120 Main Street, Nyack, bigredbooks.net
Opened in October, Big Red Books is a general interest bookstore. It has a selection of curated books that include fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, young adult, local interest, poetry, history, cookbooks, self-help, local authors and more.
Split Rock Books, 97 Main St., Cold Spring, 845-265-2080, splitrockbks.com
This shop was founded in 2018 by a couple, Heidi and Michael Bender, after over 10 years working as booksellers in New York City and beyond. They sell a curated selection of new books with a focus on literary fiction and non-fiction, local interest and children's books. They also host family programs, book clubs and signings.
Did we miss a locally owned bookstore in Westchester, Rockland or Putnam? Email hwang@gannett.com and we'll add it.
Helu Wang covers development and real estate for The Journal News/lohud and USA Today Network. Reach her at hwang@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Where to find local bookstores in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam NY
