New store takes aim at book lovers
SMITHVILLE – They say book readers are a dying breed. With the rise in popularity of gadgets like e-readers and easy to use apps that allow for book downloads, it’s easy to think that curling up with a good book may just be a lost pastime.
Enter the Book Peddler, a new business selling used books in the tiny Hamlet of Smithville Flats. Motivated by his love of reading – and his collection of nearly 15,000 books – Phillip Montelione, owner of the Book Peddler, opened the doors of his store two weeks ago, much to the delight of book lovers across the area.
“I used to go around and just pick books for fun. But I love to read, I love the books, and I had an opportunity. So I thought, why not try it?” said Montelione. “My grand opening was a big event,” he added. “I had a lot of people come out. I think I’m getting a pretty good reception so far.”
The Book Peddler currently has more than 7,000 titles on hand, ranging in categories of both fiction and non-fiction. In addition, the store offers a small variety of antique collectibles and rare oddities.
Montelione said for him, reading has always been a way of life. His hobby of book-picking recently led to the opportunity to purchase a locker of more than 12,000 books, giving him the jump-start needed to open his business venture. With countless hours of help from friends and family, he took on the agonizing task of categorizing, alphabetizing, and filling book shelves.
And with more than 6,000 books in storage still waiting to be sorted, Montelione said there’s plenty more to do. Ultimately, he said the hope is to inspire readers in a digital world where book reading is gone by the wayside.
“I really want to encourage people to love reading again,” he said. “It seems like culturally, it’s not cool to be informed or to read anymore. I think it’s sad. Personally, reading has helped me tremendously. It seems like creativity and individuality has gotten lost.”
“People almost seem to be proud that they haven't read anything, ever,” said Solon Tsangaras, a local musician, author and friend of Montelione. Tsangaras held a book signing at the grand opening of the Book Peddler – the first of many events planned to spotlight local writers, said Montelione.
“The big thing I would like to do is help these local artists and local writers, and give them an opportunity to get themselves and their work out there,” he added.
The Book Peddler is also planning a book sale and live music for the Smithville Day celebrations scheduled to take place throughout the day on Saturday, June 13.
For more information, find “The Book Peddler” on Facebook or visit thebookpeddler.net. Or you can visit the store in person. The Book Peddler, located at 5266 State Highway 41 in Smithville Flats, is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enter the Book Peddler, a new business selling used books in the tiny Hamlet of Smithville Flats. Motivated by his love of reading – and his collection of nearly 15,000 books – Phillip Montelione, owner of the Book Peddler, opened the doors of his store two weeks ago, much to the delight of book lovers across the area.
“I used to go around and just pick books for fun. But I love to read, I love the books, and I had an opportunity. So I thought, why not try it?” said Montelione. “My grand opening was a big event,” he added. “I had a lot of people come out. I think I’m getting a pretty good reception so far.”
The Book Peddler currently has more than 7,000 titles on hand, ranging in categories of both fiction and non-fiction. In addition, the store offers a small variety of antique collectibles and rare oddities.
Montelione said for him, reading has always been a way of life. His hobby of book-picking recently led to the opportunity to purchase a locker of more than 12,000 books, giving him the jump-start needed to open his business venture. With countless hours of help from friends and family, he took on the agonizing task of categorizing, alphabetizing, and filling book shelves.
And with more than 6,000 books in storage still waiting to be sorted, Montelione said there’s plenty more to do. Ultimately, he said the hope is to inspire readers in a digital world where book reading is gone by the wayside.
“I really want to encourage people to love reading again,” he said. “It seems like culturally, it’s not cool to be informed or to read anymore. I think it’s sad. Personally, reading has helped me tremendously. It seems like creativity and individuality has gotten lost.”
“People almost seem to be proud that they haven't read anything, ever,” said Solon Tsangaras, a local musician, author and friend of Montelione. Tsangaras held a book signing at the grand opening of the Book Peddler – the first of many events planned to spotlight local writers, said Montelione.
“The big thing I would like to do is help these local artists and local writers, and give them an opportunity to get themselves and their work out there,” he added.
The Book Peddler is also planning a book sale and live music for the Smithville Day celebrations scheduled to take place throughout the day on Saturday, June 13.
For more information, find “The Book Peddler” on Facebook or visit thebookpeddler.net. Or you can visit the store in person. The Book Peddler, located at 5266 State Highway 41 in Smithville Flats, is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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