Owners of beloved bookstore to sell, retire

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Open Door Bookstore employee Candace Madej places books into a bag for a customer behind a display of books by the late Maurice Sendak earlier this year.

After 30 years of running an independent bookstore in the heart of downtown Schenectady, the owners of the Open Door Bookstore have announced they will soon retire.

Janet and John Hutchison are in the process of meeting with “enterprising people” to continue to enhance the local bookshop, which over the years has built a loyal customer base. They’re looking for buyers who will keep the store at its current location at 128 Jay St.

“It’s a very tough decision, but I’ve decided that now is the right time for me to put family first and enjoy some quality retirement time,” said Janet Hutchison in a news release.

She called her time running the store a “terrific experience,” but cited spending more time with her grandchildren as a reason she and her husband want to retire.

Nestled along the Jay Street corridor near City Hall, the Open Door was founded more than four decades ago. Janet Hutchison joined the staff in 1982, and a decade later became owner and operator of the store.

In her two decades running the store, it has grown to offer more than just adult and children’s books. Its shelves are lined with various gift items, like jewelry, scarves, toys, greeting cards and other items.

Today, the Open Door offers a rewards program that boasts more than 7,500 members.

“We are looking for buyers who will continue the business at its current location,” said Hutchison. “Our customers are very loyal and supportive. We are looking for a buyer who will care for them as much as we do.”

Anyone interested in buying the store is asked to contact Janet or John at [email protected]

Reach Gazette reporter Bethany Bump at 395-3107 or [email protected]