Copyright berkshireeagle
PITTSFIELD — A new independent bookstore has joined the city’s downtown business community. Indie Readery & Records, at 314 North St., officially opened its doors last week, offering not only new and used books, records and gifts, but also a vision of community and inclusion. “We want people to come in and feel represented,” said co-owner Laurie Lenski. “And feel like this is a safe space and cozy, [where] they can be whoever they are when they come in.” Coming from a family of book lovers, Emma Lenski, Laurie’s spouse and co-owner, always wanted to open a bookstore. So, when Laurie decided she wanted to phase out of construction work and pursue a new business, they decided to bring that vision to life while filling a gap in the local market. “There's no bookstores in Pittsfield specifically, besides Barnes & Noble, [so] we figured this was a good spot for a local indie bookstore,” Emma said. “There's been a lot of new stores opening on North Street, and everyone's trying to revitalize it. There's a lot more people walking around and shopping on North Street, and so it's exciting to become a part of that.” Like the couple, social justice is at the heart of the store. “We've both been involved with Berkshire Pride,” said Emma, who serves as the organization’s director of education and outreach. “It's really important to us to bring that into this work as well, and just continue to advocate for marginalized people of all types.” That mission is reflected throughout the store, which features a dedicated social justice section, along with shelves highlighting Berkshire authors, poetry, art, nonfiction, fiction, children’s, young adult and LGBTQ titles — plus gift items that align with their message of inclusion and advocacy. Events like drag story hours, book clubs in partnership with Hot Plate, and collaborations with Berkshire Pride and local businesses already are in the works. “We're really trying to work with local businesses and organizations and collaborate as much as we can,” Emma said. Beyond books and vinyl, there’s a gift section with games, candles, tarot cards, and more, plus an eco-friendly refillary stocked in collaboration with the Plant Connector, where customers can fill up on self- and home-care products. While some downtown business owners have voiced concerns about sanitation and the unhoused community, Emma said they’re not deterred. “They're our neighbors,” Emma said. “They can come in, they can look around.” The store, which secured a grant from the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation, will be hiring at least two part-time employees within the next year, Emma said, per the terms of receiving the funds. Along with business consultation from the city, Emma and Laurie said the community response has been very positive and supportive. “We made a Facebook and Instagram almost immediately after signing for the space, and there was already a lot of like traction on there for a while, and then we just kept trying to build the excitement,” Emma said. “It seems like there's a lot of conversation online about excitement for a bookstore on North Street — or just another store on North Street.” Laurie, a Berkshire County native, and Emma, an MCLA alumn, hope their labor of love will become a community staple. “I really just want everybody to come in here and find themselves in something,” Laurie said. “I'm looking forward to seeing people come in, get excited about being in a bookstore, and then tell their friends, and then come back,” Emma added. “I'm just excited to see it. … It feels really surreal.”
