"Believe in community": Brewster Book Store under renovation to improve accessibility
If you've been browsing at Brewster Book Store, 2648 Main St., lately, you may have smelled paint and heard the sound of saws.
The small 41-year-old bookshop known for matching customers with personalized book recommendations is undergoing renovations both inside and out while remaining open. Two rooms were taken offline while staff consolidated everything there into the remaining part of the store and shuffled other sections around.
"Everyone has been so patient and so understanding as they continue to support us. We've been so grateful for that," said Jessica Devin, who owns the store with longtime friend Sue O'Malley.
Devin and O'Malley first took ownership in October 2021, when the two partnered to buy the store from David Landon, son of store founder Nancy Landon. The store started in just the front room of the main section of the building, with Devin's mother and aunt being among the first store employees.
Creating a secret garden
One of their first moves after buying the store was transforming the upstairs. They created "the Book Nook," a newly renovated one-bedroom apartment with well-stocked bookshelves and a cozy reading room, according to the website.
The space is available through Air BnB and is often used by visiting authors.
Meanwhile, the bookstore's "Secret Garden" — a small enclosed spot — is being revamped. The space is currently used for author talks, storytime, and other events. The owners envision expanding it to make it more interactive, with a DIY hotel for pollinators, a composting wall and more.
They plan to create new features by reusing found items. As an example, one wall will be created with logs rescued from trees that had to be cut down.
More accessibility inside
The overhaul planned for indoors is aimed at making the business more accessible. Currently, customers have to traverse two steps at the entrance. The store also has three different levels inside.
Interior ramps and a new fully accessible entry door will be added to make the store easier for people with wheelchairs, walkers and strollers to navigate.
Because of all the renovations, the store can host more events year-round, as its lack of indoor space limits it from holding activities in the winter. Devin said staff ideas range from flower-arranging classes to writer's workshops.
"As someone who grew up on the Cape, I fully value the importance of having a really rich, vibrant wintertime community," said Devin. "We really so strongly believe in community and being passionate about providing the community experiences throughout the year and not just the summertime."
Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on X @zanerazz.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Here's why 41-year-old Brewster Book Store is under renovation
