Family business starts new chapter in Lakeville

Family business starts new chapter in Lakeville

Alice Peck is the manager of Lakeville Books and Stationery at 329 Main St. in Lakeville, which opened on April 3.

Photo by L. Tomaino

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville Books and Stationery opened its doors April 3 after completing four months of renovations at 329 Main Street.

The Peck family — Darryl, his wife, Ann, and daughter, Alice — are not strangers to running a book store.

“We own a bookstore on St. Simons Island in Georgia that opened about six years ago,” Darryl Peck said. “We had lived down there for a few years but returned home a couple of years ago and missed being in the store. Our youngest daughter also moved home, so this is something the whole family is involved in as she is our store manager.”

The Peck family searched for a venue for the store for nine months. “This building needed substantial renovations and originally we decided to pass on it. But after running through several other options, all of which fell through for one reason or another, we decided to just dig in and renovate after purchasing the building.”

Each Peck brings a favorite subject to the store. Darryl, who has an interest in cooking, “hand-picked the 600 cookbooks” in the store. Anne Lyndon Peck, with a degree in architecture and having worked as an interior designer, specializes in architecture and home books. Daughter Alice, with a background in design, loves Formula One cars and visiting Lime Rock Park and picks the automotive books for the store.

Darryl has a background of 53 years of retail. “I guess it’s safe to say that I have a thing for retail stores. I love the design phase of building a new store and then selecting the merchandise to open with.”

The Pecks enjoy welcoming customers. Darryl said, “On an ongoing basis, I love interacting with our customers, especially in a small-town environment.”

Alice added, “As a native of the Northwest Corner, I am thrilled to be seeing friends and neighbors every day as we bring some much-needed retail back to Lakeville. We have received such a warm welcome since our opening in early April and I am looking forward to a very busy summer season.”

A grand opening for Lakeville Books and Stationery will be held on May 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information and a glimpse of their tempting inventory, which includes a wonderful selection of stationery items, go to www.lakevillebooks.com

Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Latest News

Busking in the Berkshires
Brent McCoy of Secret Circus Show at Berkshire Busk!
Roman Iwasiwka

While playing outside in the early post-pandemic days, Berkshire Busk! founder Eugene Carr had an epiphany: why not expand the idea of performing on the street (aka busking)into a full-fledged festival in Great Barrington?

As an entrepreneur and cellist, Carr envisioned a well-organized jamboree featuring regional talent, including musicians, acrobats, storytellers, fire-eaters, and more. He formed a team, connected with local businesses and the town of Great Barrington, and launched Berkshire Busk! in 2021. Since then, Berkshire Busk! has grown into a summer staple for Great Barrington.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Sylvia' brings heart, humor and one unforgettable dog to Sharon Playhouse stage
Jonathan Walker as “Greg” and Jen Cody as “Sylvia”in rehearsal at The Sharon Playhouse.
Aly Morrissey

What if the dog onstage was played by a person? That’s the delightful twist in A.R. Gurney’s “Sylvia,” opening at the Sharon Playhouse on Aug. 29. In this clever and heartfelt comedy, the title character — a stray pup who disrupts the lives of a married couple — is portrayed not in costume but by an actor who brings insight, charm, and chaos to the role.

Stepping into Sylvia’s paws is Jen Cody, who is returning to the Sharon Playhouse in a starring role for her third year in a row, ready to bring this spirited dog to life. She’s joined by Jonathan Walker as Greg, the middle-aged man smitten with his new four-legged friend, and Jennifer Van Dyck as Kate, his wife, whose patience and identity are tested by Sylvia’s sudden presence in their home.

Keep ReadingShow less
Labor Day weekend art, design and local finds

Paul Chaleff’s exhibit at Mad Rose Gallery in Millerton.

Provided

The unofficial end of summer is here, and while some of us may mourn the shortening days and cooler nights, the culturally-inclined denizens of the Litchfield Hills, Berkshires and Taconics have plenty to look forward to.

During Labor Day weekend, visit one of the offerings below, and maybe even take home a watercolor, rug, or locally-crafted wooden bowl to ready your home for the indoor season ahead.

Keep ReadingShow less