....it's a state of mind.
Nestled in Westchester County, New York is the village of Pleasantville. A rather affluent community of less than 10,000 year-round residents on the outskirts of Manhattan, Pleasantville is the original home of Reader's Digest and many a literati past and present. With its rich literary history, it is no less a most pleasant (sorry, couldn't resist) surprise to find a small independent bookstore bustling with customers on a Saturday afternoon. The Village Bookstore of Pleasantville couldn't be more than 500 square feet, yet feels more complete than any superstore with its carefully handpicked selection of titles, including generous sections of children's books, historical tomes and literary fiction. In business for over 14 years, owners Yvonne and Roy have built a loyal customer base with their frequent buyer's program, event schedule and great customer service. Needless-to-say, I did not leave empty handed and was overjoyed at seeing a parent with her young children purchasing a literal stack of books that the kids couldn't wait to dive into.
Just across the street, a new cupcake bakery was celebrating its grand opening while down the street the Dragonfly Cafe was serving up lattes, hot tea and pastries at a swift pace. With only one "for lease" sign visible among the many storefronts, Pleasantville is a model of small town living.
I'm really liking these posts from the road. Thanks for a view outside our bubble.