Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
TAUNTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new independent bookstore opened in Taunton last week. It's one of hundreds of new stores to open around the country in recent months.
With competition like Amazon and e-books, some might think bookstore owners are delusional, but Serendipity Bookshop owner Donna Melchionno is okay with that.
"I do think I might have been a little bit crazy," said Melchionno.
An Acushnet native who has lived in Taunton for 27 years signed the lease for her bookstore in January, officially opening the doors on April 7. To her surprise, books were flying off the shelves her first week of operation.
"I've probably sold more than half of my inventory," said Melchionno. "And I have about 25 orders, over 400, 500 books coming in over the next week and a half."
The American Booksellers Association, a group representing independent shops, increased its membership by 11% year-over-year by early 2024, with 2,433 bookstore companies in 2,844 store locations. Optimistic about the future of her shop, Melchionno believes that people want to feel a sense of community again.
"I know bookstores are a thing of the past, but I also feel like people want this again. And they need this again."
WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@WBZSausville) reports.