Last weekend, “06880” reported the remarkable story of the resurrection of the Remarkable Book Shop. The beloved pink shop suddenly appeared at Compo Beach, as a free library balanced on a 3-wheeled bike.
World popular author (and longtime Westport resident) Jane Green masterminded the project.
But she couldn’t have done it without the help of Ryan Peterson. The recent Staples High School graduate transformed Jane’s old cargo trike into a new/old/way cool lending (and donating) library.
Pictures told the story. But now — just before heading to Fairfield University, to study engineering — Ryan’s sent along a video of his handiwork.
Enjoy it. And remember: Jane knows the Remarkable Book Shop only through stories. She moved here after it closed.
Ryan was not even born then.
It takes a village to nurture a book store. And then bring it back to life.
Truly remarkable.
BRILLIANT and truly Remarkable!!
Westport’s past comes back to to the present. Such a great story, hats of to Ryan and Jane for making this happen. So cool seeing this on the beach last Sunday. Thank you Dan for the update.
I love everything about this! Honoring the icon in such a cool way! Thanks to all of you for your talent and ingenuity.
Remarkable in all the best ways. Simply wonderful. Thanks to all who made this happen.
Wonderful story, bringing back my warm recollections of that special place. I am a 1963 Staples grad, and went there often and lingered long stretches among the bookshelves. Do you know the actual history of the name of the shop? I heard (some time after my family moved to Westport in 1955) that the name was simply the name – spelled backwards – of “Elba Kramer.” I don’t know who she was (if she existed) or what her relation was with Esther and Sidney Kramer.
BTW, there is a Staples ’63 Compo Beach picnic at the Marina (4pm) on Sept. 29.
Bill Barron
Hi my name is Layla Wofsy and I am the managing editor of Inklings, the Staples newspaper. I am writing an article on the bookcycle and would love to ask you a few questions about your expereince going to the bookstore. Please contact me if you are interested in a quick interview! Thanks, Layla
my email is lw52542@students.westportps.org
Warm memories. My after school job, doing shipping, receiving and janitorial, from May ’64 through June ’66 when the wonderful Barbara Sterns was Manager. I was told the building dated from the revolutionary war and believed it when I saw the pegged floor joists while in the basement.
Hi my name is Layla Wofsy and I am the managing editor of Inklings, the Staples newspaper. I am writing an article on the bookcycle and would love to ask you a few questions about your expereince working at the bookstore. Please contact me if you are interested in a quick interview! Thanks, Layla
(long-ago memory?-Wasn’t there always a cat curled up on a tiny window seat there in Remarkable Bookshop? 🙂
Thanks for a wonderful story!
I think his name was Heathcliffe.
❤️
Dan … we missed you at the pop up art show opening last night… try to come to artist talks on sat …. the dhow is good .. youll like it ! X nina
Sent from my iPhone