Glenside Book Garden will open this fall in Glenside, Pa., Glenside Local reported. The bookstore will reside at 10 E. Glenside Ave. and will carry a highly curated selection of titles for all ages, with event plans including themed days, author readings, and collaborations with other local businesses.
"I want to create a beautiful spot in Glenside for people to walk to," owner Shawn Pistorino told Glenside Local. "I think we need something like this. Everyone I've talked to has been very excited."
Pistorino grew up in Glenside, and after returning to her hometown following a 20-year career as a jazz group director in New York City, she decided to pursue a lifelong dream. She described the bookstore as being "living-room style," noting that she was inspired by a used bookstore that operated in Glenside in the 1980s.
"I was obsessed with that store," Pistorino explained. "It just kind of went away one day and I've always missed having a bookstore here. It's been my dream to do this since I was a tiny, little person. As I'm moving into the next phase of my life, this was the obvious choice."
Initially, Pistorino had her sights set on a different space in Glenside, but that location did not pan out. She found the space at 10 E. Glenside Ave. in August and jumped on it. Much renovation work remains to be done, and Pistorino hopes to have the store open no later than Halloween.