Merritt Bookstore provides ‘bibliotherapy’ for 30 years

MILLBROOK — The Merritt Bookstore has been more than just an independent bookstore over the last 30 years — it has served as a haven in the community for people looking to remove themselves from their busy lives and get lost in the world of books.It is no secret that what makes the Merritt Bookstore so special is not only the books, but also the relationship the owner and his staff have with the community. That owner, Scott Meyer, calls his group “bibliotherapists.” “One of my favorite things we always say is, ‘if you need help, sing out,’” said Meyer. “We had a customer come in and she said, ‘I came in just to feel better.’ We are bibliotherapists, that really sets the tone for what we really want to do. We want to help people.Merritt Bookstore has deep roots in the Millbrook community. It started off small and eventually grew quite large at its 57 Front St. location.Meyer moved back to the Millbrook area from Massachusetts to live with his parents in 1983. It was during this time he started substitute teaching at the Dutchess Day, Millbrook, Dover and Webutuck schools. While teaching at Dutchess Day School, a bookkeeper suggested he start a bookstore because of his love of reading. Meyer took her up on the idea and he decided to buy $1,000 worth of books on credit from a place in Cold Spring that sold remainders.“The Corner News said I could sell at the store and they would charge me $10 a day,” said Meyer. “Not in the store but outside on two tables borrowed from Dutchess Day School on the weekends, then returned Sunday night. The community really supported me; that was the main thing — the community wanted me to succeed. I was in my 30s.”Meyer said that one day outside the Corner News it started to rain and he had all of his books outside. He was able to get the books to safety, but Meyer decided it was not going to work selling books outside. He then bought as many books as he could afford, starting off small. Meyer said that was how he built himself up in the beginning. Meyer asked around Millbrook and the owner of the liquor store gave him a space next to the store if Meyer gave 10 percent of his profit.“I didn’t have a telephone or bookcases. I just turned the boxes upside down and put the books on them,” he said. “I took special orders and things like that.“That’s the way Millbrook is, especially in the older days. People would help each other.”Meyer moved from location to location, finding a small space in any business that would allow him and as time went on his business began to grow. When he could no longer find a store that would have him in the village, he went to George Whalen Jr. at the Bank of Millbrook for help.Whalen said that Meyer could go to the Front Street building where the store is currently located today for a couple months until they found a better location. Meyer said that was in 1987; the Merritt Bookstore has been at the Front Street location officially since Jan. 1, 1988. “I didn’t have a lease, Whalen just said pay me monthly, and I did — and finally kept growing and growing,” said Meyer. “Then in 1991 they renovated the store doing everything to give us more space and put a parking lot in. The Bank of Millbrook was terrific, as were all the other people in the community. We borrowed shopping carts from Marona’s Market to bring books down to the new location. We had lots of wonderful customers help. We love selling the books, but the community and the individuals in the community have been much more important to us.”For a small independent bookstore, the Merritt Bookstore has had no shortage of award-winning and well-established authors and illustrators come through its doors for readings, signings and other presentations of their work. Such visitors include Jan Brett, Tomie dePaola, Patricia Polacco, John Cheska, Susan Sontag, Da Chen, Mary Tyler Moore and Mercer Mayer, just to name a few.“When we first opened in Red Hook in 1999, Annie Leibovitz had a new book out,” said Meyer. “I just asked if I could have her come, and she was so nice to people. She was amazing. She has very long arms and people would ask if they could have a picture. She would take their camera and put her head next to them and reach out so you had a picture taken by Annie Leibovitz with you and Annie Leibovitz together.”Meyer also remembered when Rosanne Cash visited the store. Cash had a throat operation prior to visiting Merritt Bookstore. It was Cash’s first time singing in three years. Meyer said when she started to sing she stopped and said she had forgotten the words. Meyer said the crowd started to sing the words for her and then she started to sing again. All the customers were crying at that moment, and so was Cash. Meyer said it was a beautiful moment. He smiled and said there has been a lot of crying in the store. In addition to Meyer’s love for the community, he has high regard for his staff. Meyer has given jobs to hundreds of students in the community over three decades. He said he never hires a student whose parent comes in and asks if they could work in the store. The student must come in and ask to work there. Many students working at Merritt Bookstore start in middle school or high school, and may continue through college and sometimes after college as well.“It was the nicest interview I ever had,” said Jodi Beranger, an employee at Merritt Bookstore. “I was comfortable; it was very easy going.”The Merritt Bookstore also opened multiple stores for a period, with a store in Red Hook for 11 years and Cold Spring for four. As the bookstore grew the Bank of Millbrook has helped over the years to support that growth. To return the favor, Meyer gives back to the community as much as possible. Merritt Bookstore is used for community events such as Girl Scout sleepovers. Meyer said that as many as 72 people have spent the night at the bookstore on Harry Potter night. Meyer is also active in the community. He’s been president of the historical society, president of the Millbrook Rotary Club and was on the Millbrook Business Association for 27 years. He’s also coached soccer, baseball and hockey. The bookseller said one of his loves was advising the Interact Club, which he did was he was president of the Rotary.The store also offers unique events like Millbrook Literary Festival, World Book Night, Writers Workshops and reading programs throughout the year. The Merritt Bookstore has managed to survive in a country that has seen independent bookstores dwindle over the years, though Meyer had to close the Red Hook and Cold Spring locations. Meyer’s wife, Alison, who also works at the store, discussed the importance of seeing independent bookstores survive.“It is a place for people to feel better,” said Alison. “A lot of people have issues and we try to solve them, whether it’s getting a book for them or helping them do research. Many people still talk about wanting to hold a book in their hands and not losing it if the battery runs out.”Meyer said he would like to have a big celebration for his business’ 30th anniversary. He hopes to invite all of his employees, past and present, customers and community members to a block party over the summer. However, Meyer was diagnosed with melanoma in February 2012, which has slowed him down somewhat and he’s shortened his work schedule to focus on his health.His staff continues to be proactive with the community in organizing programs at the bookstore. Meyer encourages people to check the website for updates throughout the year on when the 30th anniversary celebration will take place.“I put famous in front of everyone’s name, everyone is famous,” said Meyer. “Every time someone moves out or a business closes we are less, when someone comes in we are more. “We need to always encourage people and make sure those people who come in and are new to the community are a part of the community,” the bookstore owner said. “We have so many wonderful people here, everybody has something to offer and everybody has a wonderful story to share.”