After ten-plus years as an antiquarian bookshop in Chestertown, the Chestertown Old Book Co.is closing. Gerry Cataldo first opened the bookshop on Cannon Street and a few years later moved it to South Cross Street.
“It’s obvious to everyone that book selling, publishing and buying are undergoing rapid changes. The antiquarian book business, in particular, is a challenge today. People’s reading habits are changing, we have a struggling economy that affects collectors, and unless you’re located in a bustling downtown business environment, the internet becomes the playing field. Our best walk-in business was always during special town events when visitors, tourists, parents of students, would stop in and browse and we’d make contact and end up doing some business. I don’t know if it’s the same for other businesses in town, but that was our experience. We had our wonderful local ‘friends of the shop’ of course, who came in regularly to say hello and see what we had in stock. I will miss them. All I can say is thank you, we tried, and I wish things had turned out better.”
In the coming weeks the Old Book Co. will be offering significant discounts on remaining stock, furnishings, bookcases, display cases etc. Cataldo says: “We are open to all reasonable offers and ideas, and that includes interest in the entire business…the business name, stock, furnishings, memberships, reputation, etc. as a turnkey operation.” Contact Gerry at rarebooks@verizon.net, or call 443-480-3226.”
In 2006 the Old Book Co. launched Chester River Press, fine press printers and publishers. The Press has published over twenty books, many by local authors and many in limited letterpress printings. Chester River Press plans to continue to provide publishing services, and can be reached at info@chesterriverpress.com.
Another closure which I am sure will cause hand wrining, outrage and more despair.
It is sad and horrfic for the owner, any owner.
As the owner stated the best days for the book shop was on days that visitors were in Chestertown.
I will say it again, Chestertown is a tourist destination inspite of itself. And some of those relocate here.
However, where is the budget and coordinated effort to promote Chestertown, and really make this town a college town to which people are drawn. Also, even in a not very good hunting season, the passion to hunt waterfowl brought many visitors to the area. However, I suspect they did not frequent many commercial enterprises. Hunting, sailing, history, a well known college, and the availability of many artistic endeavors are the things which can draw people to a town such as Chestertown.
Why does the town remain hidden under a bushel with no light avaliable to light the way?
Bizarre strategy here. Half the time is spent bemoaning the death of the book store industry, and then the next statement says the business is available for sale. Not much of a pitch!
Oh for goodness sake John. I’m not ‘pitching’ anything, I’m closing a business and keeping options open. Thanks for being so understanding and helpful.
Gerry,
My comment was not intended to be a dig at you, but rather the way this article is structured. As a reader, I found the complete 180 in tone to be confusing.
I am not sure but I think the best word applied to this needles swipe is crass.
Sometimes I just wish people posting on this site could take a minute – reach into the best parts of themselves – and be grateful. Jerry and Rhonda Cataldo have done nothing but give, and give, and give to their adopted community. They have done this while dealing with personal and health issues that would stop mere mortals in their tracks. From Rhonda’s original tea shop, antique business, and Jerry’s bookshop – have come opportunities for employment, constant support for the non-profits in their community, innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. For the SPY staff – really “Bummer” that as your opening salvo?…..the SPY might try rethinking its headlines – “Bummer and Scorned???”"
Point well made. I am continually amazed at the insensitivity of the non-profit community to those who actually seek to promote beauty and earn a living through their own hard work. The Cataldos are a fine example. I wonder if any of the self-righteous from the non-profit world actually had to work in the market place of ideas and goods to earn their living, they could survive. Take away their tax exemption, which is no more than a pass on hard work and a gift from politicians to the wealthy, and I wonder if they would gain respect for the community that subsidizes their existence or continue in their arrogant mode of imposing their values and judgments on those who carry the load in this state and country.
likes this.
My own experience with a local non-profit clinches my revised opinion.
To a degree they are the neuvo step-children who took over the the mansion.
When I was in the business of converting media to DVD a decent deal poppedup.
I culled a project to reproduce an era time pixel piece, only to have it taken
out of my local hands and sent across the bridge for production. To be sure
local money paid for a higher fee elsewhere at the bequest of the director.
So I made it my business to find out why, since I was acquainted with the director.
There was no remorse or concern in the answer but there was the offer of a small
job not honestly billable for more than$40. Demographics figure in here, but how
about lack of respect for the well source of all funding. I think it is called profit.
Gobbledygook!!!!
Thank you Carla. Not only was it uneccessary
but it was very revealing
Carla
This is a belated answer because I had to fight my base instincts and not type cast
a person like yourself who has done emmence good for this community.
I think what I said originally relates more to how close the wolf iwas to the door
than an out and out prejudice for the governing philosophy.of non-profits.
Everyday practice may vary from the ideals of philosophy however.
I had a very real time experience. Quite possibly with someone you know.
I feel that there should be consideration for the goods and services provided
by local vendors for local projects. We all live here as a community
and ias a fragile village.
Thats it. I feel better.
I do not like this comment. The non-profit community is to be applauded. And this negativity needs to stop. Must we tear down one thing to support another? Don’t think so! Where in my comment did you find this line of thinking?
Wow, it looks like Jack, Ron, and Stephan stuck a nerve here!
I wouldn’t place the blame on the non-profits, but I see the negativity you cite coming as a backlash against a certain elitist and entitlement culture that has cropped up in this town. It’s a backlash against an elitist element that feels that their wealth and influence is sufficient to prevent certain business or activity from happening simply because they don’t like it. It’s a backlash against an entitlement culture from people who feel that success is something owed to them rather than through talent and effort. It’s a backlash against a local government that for too long now has supported the elitist and entitlement culture.
I don’t think it’s inappropriate to label the loss of the Chestertown Old Book Co. as a bummer because it is a bummer when any local business closes its doors whether that business is a bookstore, a restaurant, a bank, a game shop, an art gallery, a skateboard shop, etc. Anytime anyone starts a business, there is no guarantee of success but the success or failure of a business should be based on the talent or hard work of the investor plus the soundness (or lack thereof) of the business plan. I think what Jack, Ron, and Stephan (and me) are trying to say is that we want the marketplace decide who succeeds or fails rather than the town determining who it wants to support or what they want in the marketplace.
There is another thread referring to “The Breakfast Club” and this is precisely who they’re talking about. I’ve certainly heard it from many business owners not in “The Breakfast Club” who get hassled when they want to do things that only club members get to do. I personally had to deal with it when “The Breakfast Club” had the audacity to tell me I couldn’t collect tips as a musician when I was invited to play at the Farmer’s Market, especially when “The Breakfast Club” itself collects tips to help fund the Music In The Park. Unless Chestertown is a private club, membership shouldn’t be required to play.
WOW.
It is times like this when I think of Janis Joplin lyrics, Those words about freedom.. that I never quite understood.
I rarely talk about breakfast issues , respecting the order of things, but they do seem to have dropped the ball when it comes to local economic viability. The gruel is getting mighty thin. And those are my last planned words on the subject.
Tipping point has arrived.
There were once people in this town
who could repair the problem by firefighting.
The problem is with the lack of redeeming goals
and structure to perform.
Let us examine who ‘s nerve has truly been struck. “Me thinks the man doth screech too loud”!
Comes with the job. Lots of skreeching.
My nerve was struck last summer when my First Amendment rights along with those of a budding 12 year old musician, were violated by the town…thus the reason for my skreeching!
Keith
Yours was an issue primal to freedom.
Music at gatherings with tip jars at hand
Is a practice as old as community.
and as sanctified as trdding wares.
Rationing freedom is profane by either sector
Dogma Saints should stop patting their own backs
For not being as bad as they can afford to be.
Which is to say it could be worse
This is very deep.
Jerry, THANK YOU! What an extraordinary contribution you have made to the cultural life of this community. My absolute favorite shop to browse and linger. The time you took showing me Thomas Jefferson’s imprimatur from his personal library ( Aeschylus ) books you had restored . That was an experience I will never forget. The publications that you and Jim created under Chester River Press are some of the most extraordinary FINE press works I have ever seen. I had the privilege of working in some great bookstores during my life as a paid bibliophile ( S.F.– Fields Antiquarian Books; CITY LIGHTS, Berkerly- Moes , Cambridge -Harvard Books, NYC- Strand Books under the ferocious tutelage of Fred Bass ) By long leagues , my friend, yours was the best!