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Narberth Bookshop to Open in Pennsylvania

Ellen Trachtenberg is planning a soft opening for Narberth Bookshop, located in Narberth, Pennsylvania, this October, reported the Jewish Exponent. A tentative grand opening is set for November 5.

The 1,100-square-foot bookshop will serve as a community gathering spot and will have a carefully curated book selection. “My goal is to reintroduce to the community a place where they experience the tactile joy of a bookstore,” said Trachtenberg. “You get an algorithm from Amazon, but you don’t get the personal recommendation. That’s my goal — to become essential to the community.”

The bookstore will offer new literary titles, gardening, cooking, and travel books, and books by local authors. Events, which will be held in the back room, will feature national and local authors, and a book group is planned. The shop’s children’s section will be small, so as not to compete with a nearby children’s bookstore.

Trachtenberg, who worked at Three Lives & Company in New York City and founded book publishing and public speaking consultancy Braintree Publicity, plans to incorporate her Jewish background into the store by offering a selection of Jewish-interest books and a regular Jewish-interest book group.

Dolphin Bookshop Celebrates 70th Anniversary

The Dolphin Bookshop & Café, located in Port Washington, New York, is celebrating its 70th anniversary in September, reported the Island Now. The bookstore, now owned by Judith Mitzner, opened in 1946.

In addition to books, the store offers non-book items, some of which Mitzner picks up during her travels; it also hosts events for local authors who want to promote their books. The café space features an art gallery and monthly artist exhibitions as well as live music.

“We’re not just a bookstore,” said employee Robyn Carthagine. “We’re a community store that specializes in a wide range of products, including books, toys, presents, cards and more. It’s our wide-range selection that’s appealing.”

Small World Books Marks 40 Years in Venice

Small World Books in Venice, California, celebrated its 40th anniversary at its current location on Saturday, August 27, reported Argonaut News. Mary Goodfader and her husband, Bob, moved their seven-year-old bookstore from Marina Del Ray to the Venice Boardwalk in 1976, where they had purchased a historic building.

“It was great timing. Everyone was coming to Venice Beach to see all the skaters and the jugglers. It was a fun time and the mood was always upbeat,” said Mary Goodfader. The thriving literary community in Venice influenced Small World Books’ selection, which is known for its poetry section, she said.

The bookstore has many regulars, customers of all ages who love the printed book and who support the local bookstore with their dollars. Goodfader also attributes the store’s success to its staff and customers. “I have a quality bookstore with high-quality employees and high-quality customers,” she said. “My passion is books, and I’ll do this as long as I’m able.”

Branches Books & Gifts Relocates

Photo of new Branches Books & Gifts store
Photo by Carrie Jenkins of A Moment in Time Photography

Oakhurst, California’s Branches Books & Gifts has moved into a newly renovated, 1,500-square foot storefront in the Old Mill Village shopping center. The larger space will afford the three-year-old bookstore the opportunity to offer more books and educational toys.

“I am absolutely thrilled with the way everything turned out,” said owner Anne Driscoll. “There are designated spaces for everything and it has a wonderful energy already. We are so excited to have more room and more shelves! Many people think we are a new store in the area, which just solidifies that this was the absolute correct decision to relocate, expand, and be in a more central location.”

Branches is celebrating the move with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 2, in conjunction with the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce. On Saturday, young customers can meet and have their pictures taken with princesses Anna, Elsa, and Belle during princess story time. Prize drawings and giveaways will also be held throughout the weekend.

A Great Good Place Launches Membership Program

Kathleen Caldwell, owner of A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland, California, announced this week the launch of the Great Good Members Program, reported Mercury News.

The membership program, launched in response to slow sales, invites the community to support the bookstore through sustaining memberships, a model similar to programs used by public radio and television.

“We will have everything from a ‘Kathleen’s Kids Club’ annual membership of $50 to an ‘Inner Circle’ annual membership of $500,” said Caldwell, and it’s entirely up to customers whether they want to become members. “Everyone is always welcome to shop here. Member or not, everyone is part of the Great Good Place for Books family.”

Membership perks include advance reservations on popular new books, signed books, members-only workshops and events, kids’ events with local authors and illustrators, reserved seating at events, and discounts with partner businesses.