SAN ANGELO, TX – San Angelo is gearing up to welcome its newest addition to the business community, Old Town Bookstore. The new bookstore is located in old San Angelo at 506 S Chadbourne St. and opens its doors at 9 a.m. Black Friday morning, Nov. 29.
On Tuesday morning the Chamber of Commerce held the official ribbon-cutting to commemorate the occasion.
Old Town will be a general interest bookstore that will feature books for patrons of all ages. The new bookstore was created by Mary Ellen Hartje, a former English professor at Angelo State University. The bookstore represents a new chapter in her life after teaching at ASU for 30 years.
“It’s like a dream that I didn’t ever think would come true and now it has,” said Hartje, “I want it to be a happy place, a place where people can relax and explore books and feel at home.”
Old Town Bookstore became a reality on June 1st when Hartje obtained the lease for the building. Since then a whirlwind of activity has led up to the grand opening that will occur on Friday, November 29th.
“I want the bookstore to be about San Angelo. I want it to reflect what the people here want to read and want to see in a bookstore,” said Hartje.”
Inside patrons can find books for all ages and a wide selection of themes. Patrons can enjoy coffee and tea and relax in beautiful reading chairs. Little ones will be able to enjoy books that have been shelved on a castle-themed area and relax in the children’s section.
“Come on by and check it out, we have a large selection of different types of books,” said Associate Joe Garland. “Everything from kids’ books to the classics to travel to science and book-related merchandise.”
San Angelo hasn’t had a general interest bookstore in many years and many believe that this is something the community needs.
“I always say that small business entrepreneurship is the backbone of San Angelo’s economy,” said Council member Harry Thomas. “I hope the foot traffic from downtown will come across the bridge and visit with you guys.”
A bookstore can be a welcoming place to all book lovers, regardless of the genre and interest they may have. Old Town Bookstore aims to create a space where everyone feels welcome and be able to find the books they are interested in reading.
“When a person is in a bookstore, you all have something in common immediately: it’s the books we are surrounded by. We all feel like family when we are here.”
Starting this week-Old Town Bookstore will be open during the following times:
- Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm
- Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WATCH: Old Town Bookstore Ribbon Cutting:
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