A Decade of Growth and Resilience at the Friends Bookstores

By Bookstore Manager Crystal Hoey

Over the past ten years, the Friends’ bookstores have experienced exciting growth and transformation. In 2019, the Friends expanded their reach by opening a second bookstore, A Second Look, at VIA | Port Rotterdam. This milestone marked a significant step forward in increasing both visibility and fundraising capacity.

Building on that momentum, in April 2022, The Whitney relocated to a larger, more prominent space directly across from the library. Both the Grand Opening of A Second Look and the Grand Reopening of The Whitney were met with strong community support and enthusiastic attendance, reflecting the deep connection between the Friends, their bookstores, and the community they serve. Together, these milestones highlight a decade of growth, community generosity, and an enduring commitment to getting books into the hands of readers.

The Friends bookstores have certainly become more than just places to buy books. They have helped the Friends show that they support the activities of our community.

Robin Eddy

The Whitney and A Second Look, have become an increasingly important and resilient source of revenue for the organization. Financial trends over the past several years show strong growth leading up to 2019, when the addition of A Second Look helped drive gross sales to over $104,000 and net sales above $93,000. Like many community-based operations, the bookstores experienced a significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 2020 gross sales dropping to approximately $46,800. However, what stands out is the steady and determined recovery that followed. Each subsequent year reflects gradual growth, with both gross and net sales climbing consistently as operations stabilized and community engagement returned.

By 2025, sales have nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic highs, reaching over $105,000 in gross sales and nearly $92,000 in net sales. This recovery not only highlights the adaptability of the Friends organization but also underscores the continued community support for the bookstores.

Overall, the data tells a story of expansion, disruption, and resilience, demonstrating that the Friends’ bookstores remain a vital and growing contributor to funding library programs and services.