Who we are

Who We Are

We moved to York in 2013 from Philadelphia, PA. We met while working in the restaurant business in Philadelphia, and bonded over a mutual love of books (and other things). 

During the COVID pandemic, and the initial lockdown in 2020, we watched as business that were built on the need to physically browse their products struggled to adapt to the new reality of distancing and isolation. We also saw everything become digital, and even basic interactions having to take place over screens. We watched our kids struggle with the fatigue and frustration of everything having to happen over a laptop, tablet or phone. We also saw businesses, like bookstores, get creative in adapting to the challenges of doing business in the COVID era. 

Michelle had always dreamed of opening a bookstore and being surrounded by books on a daily basis. The idea of getting away from screens and back to actual, tangible books was exciting, and felt like a necessity. She scouted many locations, studied numerous websites and blogs - and then one day she noticed that the little building at 463 US Route 1 was available for rent, and the dream started becoming a reality.

The Booktenders opened in York, ME at the beginning of May 2022.