The next in our series highlighting every business in Milford is the Crafty Reader, located in Penny Square. Owner Kori Lewandowski explained that owning a bookstore was not something she considered when making career plans.
“The Crafty Reader was a pipe dream,” Lewandowski said. “My background is actually in Psychology and Social Work. Unfortunately, I went for my master’s degree at the height of the pandemic and came out of that experience knowing that it wasn’t the right time for me to become a social worker.”
Lewandowski moved home to Delaware and tried to figure out where she would go next.
“My family asked me the big question,” Lewandowski said. “They asked ‘if you could do anything, what would you do?’ I half-jokingly threw out the idea ‘own a bookstore.’ As soon as the words left my mouth, and with some determination and hard work, the universe seemed to place everything I needed in my path to make the dream a reality.”
Growing up surrounded by books, English teachers and school librarians, Lewandowski could not help developing a love for reading.
“I’ve always had a great passion for reading and can remember many rainy days in my childhood spent inside, curled up with a good book,” Lewandowski said. “When the dream of opening a bookstore started to transition into a reality, I though at lot about what I wanted for my store. I knew I wanted to create a space for community, where anyone could come escape from reality for a few minutes and then take a bit of that escape home with them in the form of a book. I also knew I wanted to make this a space for creatives, which turned into incorporating handmade goods from local makers as part of our available merchandise.”
One of the challenges Lewandowski has faced is that she did not come from a business background. She stated that she had some really great mentors throughout the process, including other indie bookstore and small business owners.
“Still, I’ve had to do a lot of research and gain even more hands-on experience of the ins and outs of owning a bookstore and, overall, owning a small business,” Lewandowski said. “The learning curve has been steep at times, but it has also been incredibly rewarding.”
According to Lewandowski, her greatest achievement has been building meaningful relationships in the community.
“In the almost year and a half I have been open, I’ve acquired customers who have become more like family and have gained important friendships with other business owners in downtown Milford. I come into the store every day, excited to see who will stop in for a visit, and I love seeing an upcoming title and immediately thinking of a specific customer who will appreciate that book.”
The one thing Lewandowski would do differently is personal.
“I wouldn’t have underestimated myself so much. I’m still working on that one,” she said. “For anyone who wants to enter this business, really examine your ‘why’ behind the desire to become a bookseller. Have or create a good support system beforehand. Be ready to learn something new every day. There will be hard days, but the good days will make up for them!”
The Crafty Reader is located at 39 North Walnut Street, Suite 104 in Milford. Their hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 5 PM and on Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Contact them at 302-381-6306 or visit them online.
