The winter of 2021 was a big one for downtown bookstores.
In February, Barnes & Noble moved into the former Restoration Hardware. The space was closer to other retailers, though smaller than their previous store (now the Big Y supermarket).
A couple of weeks earlier — on January 25 — a different bookstore opened a few yards away.
Half a decade later, both are thriving.
No one cares about a big-chain corporate success. But a small, community-minded used book shop, with a special mission — that’s a different story.
Westport Book Shop is a partnership between the Westport Library and Westport Book Sales, the non-profit with 2 important missions: They raise funds for the library by running its book sales, and they hire adults with disabilities.
So it’s fitting that Westport Book Shop is just a few yards from the Library, across Jesup Green.
Westport Book Shop
The 5,000 or so books, in over 40 categories, come from donations to the annual book sales. There’s also a large selection of vinyl records, audio books, CDs and DVDs.
The view from inside Westport Book Shop, across Jesup Green to the library.
Books cover all major categories: fiction, non-fiction, biography, children’s, you name it.
The Book Shop also features the Drew Friedman Art Place. Miggs Burroughs curates rotating exhibits.
On January 28, the 60-plus artists and photographers who have been featured will honored with a special piece, by Burroughs. It remains up through February.
Miggs Burroughs with his own work, at the Westport Book Shop.
To celebrate their 5th anniversary, Westport Book Shop is offering a few specials. They’re fundraisers too — a great way for residents to show their love and support.
One is a raffle. The winner gets a new copy of “The New Yorker in Westport” book. Donated by its authors, Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley, it shows dozens of magazine covers, showing 50 magazine covers created by area artists, inspired by familiar local scenes. Accompanying each image are interesting stories, and facts about our town.
Tickets are $5. They’re available online and at the store, through Wednesday, January 28.
Also available at the store: items created especially for the anniversary.
There’s a snuggly Westport Book Shop logo hat; local artist Jack Geer’s image of the store as a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, and a decal.
Special 5th-anniversary items.
It’s been a great 5 years for Westport Book Shop.
They’ve provided over 12,250 hours of employment and skills training for adults with disabilities.
And they’ve contributed over $350,000 to the Westport Library.
But that’s just the start.
They’ve got a $50,000 fundraising goal, to help continue their work. Click here to donate.
Then get ready for the next chapter.
