The Second Reading Bookstore, a West Chester fixture for nearly four decades, is closing its doors, writes Bill Rettew for The Daily Local News.
The volunteer-run shop, long celebrated for its affordable books and tight-knit community, will shut down following the sale of the property.
The building, owned by the West Chester Area Senior Center, is set to change hands on June 16. No official closing date for the bookstore has been announced.
According to Senior Center Board Chairwoman Stacey Fuller, the decision came after months of reflection on the organization’s core mission. “We want to get out of the real estate business,” Fuller said.
The property was donated in 2018 by benefactor Vivian Lasko.
Since then, it has become financially burdensome due to upkeep and its location in the historic district. With the organization in transition, including leadership changes and shifting priorities, the board determined the sale would help refocus resources on senior programs.
Volunteers and patrons have expressed sadness over the closure, recalling the store’s role in community life. All books are currently being sold for $1.
While the future of the book inventory is undecided, discussions are underway to potentially incorporate the bookstore into the center’s main location on Union Street.
Read more about the loss of a bookstore for the West Chester community and may happen to the building at The Daily Local News.
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