The Ups and Downs of Dreaming Big: The Rise and Fall of Sciuto’s Bookshop

Andrea and Zack Sciuto made their dream of opening Sciuto’s Bookshop a reality in February of last year. The couple had shared this aspiration since their college years, selling donated books out of a small space in Douglas off Main Street. However, just over a year later, they have decided to permanently close the bookshop due to inadequate foot traffic.

Andrea Sciuto expressed her belief that Douglas is not a busy enough town to support a bookstore. She stated that a bookstore is not something that people typically spend a whole day at unless they are making multiple stops. Despite this setback, Andrea expressed that they gave it their best shot and are at peace with their decision to close the shop.

When they first opened, the couple had about 2,400 titles in their collection, most of which were donated or purchased at a low price. The books were in like-new or really good condition, and were all priced at 50% off their original price. The collection included rare copies as well as more familiar titles and authors that caught the eye of passersby.

Andrea and Zack had always dreamt of opening a bookstore since their time at Syracuse University. After graduating and getting married, they saw the bookshop as an adventure they wanted to take on as a family. While Andrea managed the shop, Zack supported them through his tree-cutting business, Sciuto Tree. Initially, the store saw a lot of business but over time foot traffic dwindled.

Andrea mentioned that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what caused the store to struggle while location played a role; it was just one factor among many. As the couple prepares to close the store at the end of April, they are considering donating the remaining books to local libraries. Despite the challenges they faced, Andrea reflects on the joy that bookstore brought her and looks forward to what the future may bring for her family.