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| Martin House Books is opening in the former Savoy Bookshop location in Westerly, R.I. | |
Martin House Books will host a grand opening celebration on April 27, Independent Bookstore Day, at 10 Canal Street in Westerly, R.I., the former home of Savoy Bookshop & Café, which closed last July. The Westerly Sun reported that owner Gretchen Miller, who "grew up in her mother's Massachusetts bookstore," had a soft opening of the new bookshop recently and has been nonstop busy ever since.
"It wasn't planned this way. There's still lots to put together," said Miller, who had been planning for her official opening to coincide with IBD, but after the soft opening and with the help of social media, the word was out.
"Someone put something on Instagram and the next thing you know," Miller added. "But it's awesome.... It's awesome to see so many people so excited about a bookstore. And this is such a wonderful community."
Miller noted that not long after Savoy Bookshop & Café closed, she contacted the owner of the building, the historic Martin House, and expressed her interest in opening another bookstore in the space. She had worked for several years at Savoy, and as a librarian in the Children's Room at the Westerly Library. At Martin House Books, she wants people to feel welcome and plans to work with local schools, libraries, book groups, and other organizations, and to make her space available for private events when it is closed.
"I am thrilled to open the doors and become a part of the vibrant arts community here in Westerly," Miller said. "Our goal is to cultivate a space where the community can discover new stories, connect with fellow book enthusiasts, and immerse themselves in the magic of literature."
With a goal of making her bookstore a "perfect destination for book lovers of all ages," Miller noted: "I really want for this to become a community hub... more than just a place to buy books but a place where readers can gather, connect over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and explore the wonders of literature."