Photo: Bookmarks Bookstore taken by Grace Powell
The historic house that sits on 100 E. Gay St. is now home to West Chester’s newest bookstore — Bookmarks! The independent, family-owned bookstore began with owners Ty and Lisa Strohl deciding to make a life change. The Strohls have had a passion for books and have always been avid readers, but they took a leap of faith when moving from Harrisburg, PA, and opening their business on Aug. 6, 2024 without knowing much about the book industry.
Their daughter was a recent graduate from West Chester University, so when it came to deciding where their new business would be located, the West Chester Borough offered its welcoming and invested community as a prime location. They then fell in love with the historic white home located just across from the West Chester Post Office and made the decision to set up shop right on the corner of E. Gay St. and N. Walnut St. “If we are going to do this, we are going to do it right — and in a way that will benefit the community,” Lisa states when describing the sentiment going into the opening of her business.
The bookstore’s first floor includes a variety of games and children’s books, while the upstairs welcomes you to the fiction and nonfiction sections. With perfectly-placed seating areas by the windows and books stretching across each wall, it’s hard to not be enticed to pick up one of their many selections and skim through.
When asked about how books and reading enhance someone’s life, Lisa Strohl responded, “Reading is a way to enrich your life, not only for education, but also a way to relax and escape or inspire.” With a selection ranging from the classics to new releases, such as deceased actor Mathew Perry’s memoir, there is truly something for everyone.
Local bookstores are very beneficial to communities as they offer a place to slow down, relax and read while also supporting local businesses. The owners of local bookstores are usually avid readers themselves and will often be able to offer suggestions for any genre you may be looking for, as well as showing more support for the community. Student life can be stressful and incredibly fast-paced, so the next time you’re in need of a study break, I recommend taking the quick 15-minute walk from campus to stop by.
The Strohls are grateful for the supportive and welcoming community West Chester has offered them in their development as a new business; they hope to return the favor in emphasizing that Bookmarks welcomes West Chester residents and students as well. The range of genres and titles Bookmarks offers ensures customers will find whatever read they are looking for, with the option to request for a certain title that Bookmarks can order for you! Additionally, West Chester Students get a discount at checkout with their RAM Card, as Lisa Strohl ensures that Bookmarks is “here to support the community.”
Grace Powell is a second-year Media and Culture major with a minor in Journalism. gp1019074@wcupa.edu