New Phila bookstore is a community asset in volumes
Books-N-Things, the venerable shop in downtown New Philadelphia since 2005, is such a place. A quick browse reveals a well-thumbed set of Plutarch’s “Lives”, a 1922 novel by French actress Sarah Bernhardt, a large collection of theological works, books about dogs, books about trains, about Lincoln, Lady Diana, Ingrid Bergman, mysteries by Hammett and cookbooks by the score.
Books-N-Things traces its roots back some 50 years. The original store, housed in parts of a home in Zoar, was begun 35 years ago by the late Colleen Taylor, herself a seasoned veteran of the book business in Canton for 20 years prior. The current owner, David R. Croto, Taylor’s nephew, came to the business naturally.
“My earliest memory is of being pulled into a chair with my aunt and a book. When I was young, and she was working in Canton, she would sneak me through the offices and allow me to browse the second floor, where books were warehoused,” said Croto. “There were row after row of bookshelves, about every other one lit by a dim bulb. That’s really where it all began for me.”
Books-N-Things is an astonishing adventure among volumes at all levels of price and desirability, from the dollar table to the lock-and-key first editions. The shop occupies one of the county’s oldest business structures, and browsing takes the visitor on a maze walk, of sorts, through topics, genres, and bindings, some forty thousand volumes in all.
Asked about the key to success in the used book business, Croto doesn’t hesitate.
“The old adage, ‘never judge a book by its cover’ is very true. You never know what might come into your hands, or from what source.” He describes a jumble of boxed books, purchased in a hurry on the way home after a tiring day that yielded some of the greatest treasures he has been privileged to handle.
“I pulled out one book that was covered in an old taped-together, yellowed jacket, looked it over, and started to pitch it, when I gave it another look. It was a beautiful first edition of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’!” A very desirable book nearing two hundred years old and he had almost tossed it. In the same lot was another first edition of particular interest to Croto as a collector: Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Tarzan of the Apes”.
“You just never know what might turn up,” he says, also remembering a small book of sermons by Increase Mather, dated 1687 that made its way from a local attic into his shop. “It was a museum piece and really needed special attention. I was careful to inform the owner of just what she had and offered to handle its sale via consignment. I think she was surprised. She left with the book and I regret to say I don’t know what became of it.”
Books-N-Things isn’t just about dusty old volumes. Croto says that, along with sales of rare books via the well-respected Abebooks.com, the growth in his business is coming from newly published books. “Best sellers, special orders, remainders, we can order anything in print, and we carry a number of new releases on our shelves.”
Croto sums up his store’s reason for being, and his passion for his field, thus: “A bookstore is always a major asset to any community. A community without a bookstore is not a place I’d care to live.”
Books-N-Things is found at 113 South Broadway, New Philadelphia. Store hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.