The newest chapter of Long Island's indie bookstores
Erin Whitworth, of Shoreham, sits with her daughter Emma as they pick out some books at A Book Place in Riverhead. Credit: Barry Sloan
Nelly Ortiz has always understood the power of community and connection. As a digital marketing professional, she's built her career on connecting people with the things they love. Now, she is bringing that as the new owner of The Neverending Story.
The independent bookstore, which opened in January 2024, offers a well-curated blend of used books, vintage housewares, events and the opportunity to connect with your neighbors.
"I’ve always been an avid reader, and what I love about books is their ability to open us to new perspectives," Ortiz says. "When you read a truly great book, you want to share it. That’s the environment I want to cultivate here. A third space where neighbors can come to discuss, engage, learn, and discover one another."
The Neverending Story in Babylon also carries vintage housewares and vinyl albums. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
In recent years, a number of independent bookstores have opened on Long Island, including Theodore's Books in Oyster Bay, A Book Place in Riverhead and The Next Chapter in Huntington. And this year has seen the launch of Book RePort in Port Washington, which hopes to fill the neighborhood void left by the closing of Dolphin Bookshop in 2022.
While these indie shops serve as a haven book lovers, it's not always easy on the owners running bookstores.
Former Congressman Steve Israel opened Oyster Bay's Theodore's Books in 2021. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Still, adds Steve Israel, the former congressman who opened Theodore's in 2021, the escape offered by bookstores outweighs the challenges: "There’s something safe and relaxing about a bookstore. Nobody’s screaming, nobody's yelling, it’s just an inviting place for people to explore their curiosities and their interests."
These shops certainly meet those needs.
A BOOK PLACE
489 E. Main St., Riverhead
Jocelyn Maningo Kaleita opened A Book Place in Riverhead in 2022. Credit: Barry Sloan
Since opening in 2022, owner Jocelyn Maningo Kaleita has made the East End part of the bookshop's story — hosting conversations with local authors and filling the shelves with books, art and handcrafted goods that celebrate the heart of the East End. "A Book Place is the kind of bookshop where you linger a little longer, discover something unexpected, and leave feeling connected to the community," she says.
- UPCOMING EVENTS In addition to author events, Wine ’Round the North Fork book club series with Valerie Nifora in October, local tarot reader Veronica Theirs is in the shop every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shop will host its first Fall into Thrillers night this fall.
- HOURS 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
- MORE INFO 631-405-7902, abookplace.com
THE NEVERENDING STORY
9 W. Main St., Babylon
Nancee Halpin, of Valley Stream, browses the shelves at The Neverending Story. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
While the shop features books of all genres, classic literature is The Neverending Story's sweet spot, along with poetry and narrative fiction. You’ll even find crates of vinyl.
The store aims to succeed by being much more than just a place to buy. Over the next few months, Nelly hopes to build on this foundation to create a location for locals to gather and connect.
- HOURS 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays
- MORE INFO 631-526-9620, neverendingbookstore.com
THE NEXT CHAPTER
204 New York Ave., Huntington
Mallory Braun, owner of The Next Chapter in Huntington, hosts book clubs, music and vinyl sharing nights and other community events. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Since opening in 2022, The Next Chapter has taken its place as Huntington's successor to Book Revue, which closed in 2021. "We want to create another place that’s nice to go to that’s not work or home," says owner Mallory Braun, whose shop is stocked with an array of new and used books and albums.
- UPCOMING EVENTS Music nights, typically Fridays and Saturdays, are popular, as well as book clubs, author events, Vinyl Sharing Night (Sept. 21), writing workshops and more.
- HOURS 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays
- MORE INFO 631-482-5008, thenextchapterli.com
THEODORE'S BOOKS
17 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay
At Theodore’s Books in Oyster Bay, owner Steve Israel says literary classics are still bestsellers. Credit: Danielle Silverman
With a mix ranging from bestsellers to self-help books, Israel says science fiction, fantasy, romance and especially classic novels are the ones that typically fly off the shelves. "That's the most gratifying part of owning a bookstore, which is watching people — particularly young people — gravitate to literary classics," he says.
- UPCOMING EVENTS Check website for book club meetings and author events.
- HOURS 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays
- MORE INFO 516-636-5550, theodoresbooks.com
Book RePort
40 Main St., Port Washington
New to Port Washington, Book RePort welcomes community members of all ages to enjoy author events, story times and seasonal events. With their curated selection of books across genres and interest — there’s something for every reader.
"A local bookstore is a respite from the craziness of the world and a place to find community and meaningful conversation," says Mara Silverstein, co-owner of Book RePort with Kat Schechter. "That's something I was missing."
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UPCOMING EVENTS Monthly Book RePorters club for grade 3 and older in which readers look at advanced copies and new releases and recommend books for the store. Check website for additional events.
- HOURS 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays
- MORE INFO 516-898-7974, bookreportny.com
Newsday's Nyasia Spencer contributed to this story.
