Of Moose and Mind Bookshop held its grand opening in Manlius, N.Y., on October 25, Syracuse.com reported.
Located at 137 E. Seneca St., the bookstore sells general-interest titles for all ages with an emphasis on "cultivating thoughtfulness and reflection through literature." The store's event plans include book clubs, TED Talk-esque lectures, and children's storytimes. Eventually, owners Mark and Monica Browning would like to start serving coffee and baked goods as well.
The Brownings have decided to open the bookstore as Mark Browning nears his retirement from the military, in which he served for nearly 20 years. Having an independent bookshop of their own appealed to them because they are avid readers and fans of bookstores--when the family travels, they always try to visit a local bookstore.
The space features a mural of a moose painted by a local artist, and the store's name is an allusion to Of Mice and Men and to Browning's call-sign as an Air Force pilot, which was Moose.
"A bookstore just helps you slow down at the end of the day," Mark Browning told Syracuse.com. "There's a lot of working families around here. It's hard to find time to sit back and reflect on things, just picking up a good book and reading through it."