Diane’s Books of Greenwich Is A Beloved Family Bookstore In Connecticut With A Fascinating Story

There's nothing that quite compares to a visit to your neighborhood bookstore. More than merely a destination or attraction, bookstores are an experience. Bibliophiles know there's magic at these places; endless possibilities and potential with each and every book on the shelf. (There's also that indefinable "book smell" that we just can't get enough of!)

Sadly, however, the local Shop Around the Corner is an endangered species. The Fox Books and online marketplaces of the world offer inexpensive and easy ways to purchase paperbacks aplenty -- but what they can't provide you with is the tactile, hands-on, total sensory experience of a bookstore... the kind of experience you'll get when you visit Diane's Books of Greenwich.

In 1982, Diane Garrett moved to the postcard-perfect town of Greenwich, Connecticut, from Canada. Fresh out of a Masters of Library Science program at the University of Toronto, Garrett was excited to explore the town's bookstores. There were seven at the time (oh, to be back in the '80s!), but Garrett was struck by the fact that none of these shops were geared toward children. The town, as it were, was conspicuously family bookstore-less. So Garrett got to work, equipped with the education and gumption needed to open her very own family bookstore in Connecticut: Diane's Books of Greenwich.

Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.

When we talk about local businesses being "community cornerstones," we're talking about places like Diane's Books of Greenwich, Connecticut.

These are beloved and well-supported shops that stand the test of time for a variety of reasons -- most notably, customer service and accessibility.

Because while you can certainly find pretty much anything online these days, there's nothing that compares to the personalized touch and expertise you'll find at a longstanding local business.

On Nov. 3, 1990, Diane Garrett opened the doors of her very own family bookshop -- and hasn't looked back. Embraced by the local community, Diane's Books quickly became *the* place to go for children's titles and story times.

Prior to Diane's, Greenwich didn't have a family-oriented bookstore, and this is something that, fresh out of graduate school with a Masters of Library Science degree, Garrett couldn't believe.

Knowing the importance of early childhood literacy and also the connections and bonds that form when families read together, Diane's Books brought new life into her community, joyfully filling a much-needed void.

In fact, of the seven bookstores stationed in Greenwich, Connecticut, when Garrett's shop first opened, only hers remains. She attributes this to several reasons -- what she calls "the 5 C's."

"Compassion, customer service, communication, curiosity, and community service" -- these are the pillars of what's made Diane's Books so successful, she says.

We'd like to add another C to the list, however: Courage.

It takes courage to open your own business. It takes courage to move from one country to another. It takes courage to see a need and meet it, head on. Diane is a modern-day warrior of the printed word; the benevolent, book-loving Queen of her community.

Garrett's passion is what drives her; namely, the interactions she has with local families.

"My favorite part of being a business owner is hugging those children -- literally and figuratively! And today I have my Diane's Books graduates who still phone me and come and talk to me about loving sitting on the floor, diving into books... AND I have the next generation," she says.

"Recently a young mother with a small child told me Diane's Books was her favorite place to be growing up and now she is bringing her own daughter!" muses Garrett.

"How fortunate I am to live my passion through these children each and every day?"

This fortune goes both ways. Now in its 34th year of operation, it's clear that the community of Greenwich, Connecticut, is as lucky to have Diane's Books as she is to have the love of her local community.

Here's to the continuing story of Diane's Books!

Many thanks to Diane Garrett for sharing the story of her delightful Connecticut bookstore. Learn more about Diane's Books of Greenwich at its website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

Of course, Diane's Books is just one of the many amazing local businesses doing great things in Connecticut; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Connecticut article. And be sure to follow Only In Connecticut on Facebook and Instagram to learn about this region of the Constitution State’s most incredible places, attractions, and events.