Independent bookstore chain in Mattituck on Saturday morning.
Welcomed by local radio station WEHM, raffle gifts courtesy of East End businesses, free snacks from , and hordes of customers enjoying the beautiful weather, co-owner Charline Spektor finally opened her doors in an area she's been eyeing for five years.
Asked how, in the age of Amazon.com, Kindles, Nooks, and Barnes and Noble, an indie bookstore chain is expanding, Spektor attributed her staff.
"We have a team of booksellers that know the value of personal interaction, and understand how important personal contact with our customers is," said Spektor. "We're able to expand because of that team, and we're committed to bringing independent bookstores into a community of readers."
The Mattituck location will be the fourth BookHampton on the East End for Spektor and her husband Jeremy Nussbaum, adding to their existing stores in Southampton, Sag Harbor, and East Hampton. Spektor would be BookHampton's next home.
Barney Ryan of Quogue said that he was disappointed to hear recently that the Open Book closed its doors in Westhampton, a favorite shop of his. But Saturday's opening in Mattituck brought him out to see the opening firsthand.
"I like to support local businesses. I just bought some books recently so I didn't get anything, but it was a nice day for a North Fork ride," he said.
At the corner of Love Lane and Main Road, WEHM set up shop from noon until 2 p.m., culminating in a free giveaway with tastings from local vineyards, other Love Lane businesses, and even an iPad2 courtesy of GeekHampton.
Mike Avella, Love Lane Kitchen and Love Lane Market owner, said he was happy to donate his time and resources to welcome BookHampton.
"This is the perfect kind of business for Love Lane," he said.
Editor's note: The author's wife is an employee of BookHampton.
