Forage Books opened on Valentine's Day at 121 West State St. in Kennett Square, Pa. Chadds Ford Live reported that for founder and owner Tamlyn Ancone, Forage Books is "a space she has envisioned as welcoming, intentional, and deeply connected to the local community."
A graduate of Hofstra University, she previously lived in Philadelphia with her husband. After the pandemic, the couple moved closer to Unionville, his hometown, "and in that transition, Tamlyn's long held dream of opening a bookstore began to shift from a distant idea into a future possibility," Chadds Ford Live noted. She had envisioned launching the bookshop a year or more in the future, but when the space on State St. became available, she decided it was time to take the leap.
Noting that Forage Books "is thoughtfully curated, with the name itself inviting visitors to come in and seek, discover, and explore," Chadds Ford Live reported that Ancone "hopes customers will browse the shelves in that spirit, finding books that help them learn, escape, and spark imagination."
The shop's name is a nod to Kennett Square's connection to nature and its mushroom heritage. "Kennett Square is such a special place and everyone has been so welcoming," Ancone said. "I cannot tell you how many people have reached out with well wishes and offers to lend a hand. I can only hope to give community members a space that makes them feel as welcome as they've made me feel."
An upstairs area is dedicated to children's books, while the back of the store features a flexible space that will eventually host book clubs, author visits, and community gatherings. Local artists' work will be showcased on the walls.
Ancone observed that bookstores are gathering places and quiet sanctuaries, places where ideas are exchanged and imaginations are stretched: "I've been an avid reader my whole life. Books can be an incredible escape, but can also offer an important window into other perspectives and provide an opportunity to grow empathetically. Bookstores that foster those ideals have always felt like a little magic portal to me. The right bookstore can make you feel like it was built just for you. I hope the community feels that way about Forage."
Looking to the future, Ancone said, "My hope is that Forage can become a literary gathering space in Kennett Square. I'm looking forward to the day where our back space is open and we can offer larger community gathering events like poetry readings, author signings, and book clubs."