Old Town Books Junior recently opened at 130 S. Royal Street, and its owner says that last week’s first story time under the new indoor reading tree was packed.
“It looked like a nightclub for toddlers in here,” store owner Ally Kirkpatrick told us. “We soft-launched last week and had more than 40 families come out for story time.”
The store formally opened yesterday (Sept. 12). It’s located next door to its parent shop, Old Town Books, which has since adapted to the new space with an expansion of their history, science and nature section.
Kirkpatrick hired a California designer to make the hand-made tree.
“So many iconic kids bookstores have story time trees, and like trees children are growing and developing, so it’s imaginative and magical,” she said.
Old Town Books Junior carries thousands of titles for young children to early readers, tweens and young adults.
Melissa LaSalle said she had kids in mind when she chose all of the books for the store.
“I’ve been recommending books for kids for almost 30 years, so I’ve amassed a database in my head of favorite books,” LaSalle said. “I actually love and stand by every single one of these books, and it’s amazing to be able to come to a space that’s so thoughtfully curated and know that any book you pick up is going to be worth their precious time.”
The interior renovation took two months, and it’s the first bookstore for D.C-based grOH! Playrooms. The store was last home to interior design firm Boxwood for five years, before they moved to a new location in Old Town earlier this year.
Kirkpatrick said she next wants to expand her company’s offerings to include a coffee shop on the second floor of the book stores.
“That’s in my five-year plan,” Kirkpatrick said.
Old Town Books Junior has story time every Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
