"Hello, Bookstore"

For a while, I was so depressed about the sad state of our world that I escaped by watching Disney movies. Stories of brave girls overcoming great odds to rescue their families, their homes and their communities took my mind off the news. Since then, things have only gotten worse, and little relieves my anxiety about the future.  

Last week, however, I saw a film, “Hello, Bookstore,” that went a long way toward restoring my faith in humanity.

“Hello, Bookstore” is a glimpse into the everyday life of Matt Tannenbaum at “The Bookstore,” which he has owned for forty years in Lenox, Massachusetts. “The bard of Lenox,” Matt is a lover of books, of his daughters and grandchild, and of the community he helped create.  

Prior to the onslaught of COVID, Berkshire residents and visitors alike had come to expect Matt, a congenial storyteller, to be seated behind his desk at the front of the store, ready with a  recommendation. They would explore the shelves and often stop in “Get Lit,” the wine bar, to enjoy  wine and conversation.  But, like many small businesses, The Bookstore suffered. The shop was closed to browsers; customers could only order by phone or online and wait for delivery or pick up their books outside the door. No more lingering to talk, no more stories. And by mid-summer, usually his most lucrative season, Matt realized he couldn’t pay his bills. He was in danger of losing the store.

Matt started a “GoFundMe” campaign, hoping to raise $60,000. He met that goal in less that 24 hours, going on to raise double that amount and secure the future of the bookstore.

The donors to Matt’s campaign weren’t just from Lenox. I remember reading comments from across the United States and abroad. No one who had ever been to The Bookstore could imagine losing it, even if they might never visit again. They recognized the importance of preserving an independent bookstore and they wanted to give back to the extraordinary man who made it his life’s work.

It is an inspiring story.           

The first feature length documentary from director A. B. Zax, “Hello, Bookstore” is also visually stunning. And I would be remiss not to add that I saw it at Images, a 100 year-old independent, non-profit, community-based movie theater in Williamstown, Massachusetts. In spite of big box stores, theater chains, streaming and online behemoths, we all crave community.