It’s a good day to be a bookworm in State College! A new bookstore called The Squirrel and Acorn Bookshop recently opened at 103 S. Allen Street in downtown State College. According to the store’s site, The Squirrel and Acorn is “an independent bookshop where stories are discovered and created, voices heard and celebrated, and where imagination and a bit of whimsy are constant companions during your visit.”
The inspiration behind the name “The Squirrel and Acorn” comes from the owner Andrew Aschwanden’s time spent studying tree squirrels as a biologist in college. He explains his passion for reading inspired him to bring the presence of a small, locally-owned bookstore to State College.
Upon arrival in the bookshop, you will find many national best sellers are on display. Jennette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad My Mom Died”, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s “The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo”, Colleen Hoover’s “Verity” and many others that appeal to all ages and interests.
The wooden bookcases lining the walls and large leather couches give the bookshop a cozy and quaint feeling. Customers are encouraged to curl up with a nice book in the reading corners. The large floor-to-ceiling panel windows allow plenty of natural light to enter the store.
In the right corner of the store, there is a children’s book section and a table set up with a large sheet of paper encouraging kids to write or draw. Halloween children’s books are displayed in the section as well.
In another corner of the store, there is a stationary section that sells planners, journals, pens, and more. The bookstore aims to “provide unique stories and great books, carrying various types of new books and writing tools,” according to downtownstatecollege.com
The Squirrel and Acorn Bookshop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Their website features a section of national best sellers that are carried in the store and along with a “coming soon” section of preorders that will be released soon. Various cookbooks, novels, and biographies make the bookstore versatile for people of all ages.
So far, the bookshop has received a positive response from the community since its opening. The Squirrel and Acorn Bookshop joins Oeuf Boeuf Et. Bacon as one of the latest businesses to open in downtown State College.
Next time you curl up with a good book, tweet us the title @VALLEYmag on Twitter!
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