Business & Tech

Park Street Books & Toys Now Open on Main Street

New England's largest children's bookstore has moved from Park Street to Main Street.

 

Park Street Books & Toys has relocated its new store to 504 Main Street. 

The first thing you notice when you walk into New England's largest children's bookstore, is the massive mural that starts at the door and winds upstairs to the second floor.

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The colorful and winding mural was created by Montana Gulbrand, a junior at Walpole High School who works at the store, and the customers are talking about it, says owner Jim James.

"It's amazing and people really love it," said James who estimates it took Montana about 70 hours to complete the work. She and her friend Keiko are now creating another mural on the outside of the building, and will also do more painting inside. 

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"It's a work in progress," James said of his new space.

On a recent weekend, 50 people gathered to help the store move 200,000 books -- a small portion of its million-plus inventory most of which is stored off-site -- from its former location on Park Street, and staff has been busy setting up ever since.

They still have about 500 boxes to unpack. 

The new space is a converted office building that feels like a cozy home with different rooms dedicated to different genres, an area for toys, comfy couches and chairs, and one room with a fireplace. 

"It's a lot brighter, more windows, higher ceilings, and a great location," said James. 

Second floor rooms include:

  • The David Biedrzycki Room: Young Children's Books
  • The Richard DeSorgher Room: Adult Books, including The History of Medfield
  • The Robert McCloskey: Young Children's Books
  • The Kate DiCamillo Room: Younger and Middle School Books
  • The Patricia Polacco Room: Younger and Middle School Books

Pottery Place

Also on site is The Pottery Place, a large space where children (of all ages) can paint their own pottery. James says this is a popular and fun part of the business that is always hopping (and a great place for birthday parties). 

Community Hub

The store also serves as a community hub, stepping in to fill a need left when Lord's Department Store closed after 73 years in the town's center. 

Park Street Books is carrying spirit wear for Medfield and other surrounding towns, is selling SCRIP, and is the new place uptown to purchase tickets to community events.

Grand Opening

A grand opening event will be held on June 1. Confirmed so far is local author David Biedrzycki at 1 p.m. 


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