Titcomb’s Bookshop
Titcomb’s
Bookshop’s mission is to share the written word and a love of
reading with everyone who visits their shop by offering a carefully
curated selection of books, hosting events to introduce readers to
authors, and fostering a sense of curiosity and openness to new
ideas through literature.
Ralph and Nancy Titcomb
feel a special passion for sharing the love of reading with children
who are just starting on their life’s journey. Reading opens doors
into the world and opens minds to a world of possibilities and
opportunities. They are committed to playing a leading role in
creating a community of readers and encouraging every child to be a
reader, be curious, and be an informed person.
Titcomb’s Bookshop is a family business
attached to Ralph and Nancy Titcomb’s 1690s Cape Cod home in East
Sandwich. Four generations of the Titcomb family have worked at the
bookshop, along with an incredible group of dedicated, smart,
hard-working, book-loving employees, many of whom have been on this
journey with them for years.
The Titcombs started selling rare papers
and books, that their children found in an old barn in their yard,
in Canterbury, Connecticut in 1967. Ralph soon began purchasing old
books for resale and started a part-time antiquarian bookshop with
sales by catalog, called ‘The Paper Barn,’ from his home. When they
moved to Cape Cod, they found a home with room for eight children,
their mother’s mother, and a bookshop. They moved in July 1969 on
the day the USA’s Apollo 11 landed on the moon and they opened the
shop in August – 50 years ago.
In 1974, their oldest son created the
iconic statue of a colonial man in front of the shop. The statue,
made of wrought iron, has become a local landmark for residents and
tourists alike. Adults, children, and visiting authors often stop to
take a picture with him.
Daughter Vicky Titcomb
returned to manage the bookshop in 1991 after a career in museum
work in Delaware and Maine. All eight children have worked in the
store over the years in one way or another, as well as most of the
21 grandchildren.
‘Old Children’s Books’ was always a
strong section in the store. Soon after Vicky returned to the
bookshop, she saw the need in the community for new children’s
books, too, and they have continued to expand the selection of new
books for both adults and children ever since.
The people and the Town of Sandwich have
been very supportive of local businesses and the influx of tourists
on Cape Cod has supported their mission. They also have the benefit
of proximity to Boston and many talented writers with ties to the
Cape. The store is involved, busy, and thriving more each year more
than the last.
Cliff Robbins, Senior
Business Advisor with the MSBDC, met Vicky in 2003 and has worked
with her on and off since then. He encouraged her to think about
finances and marketing. She started a ‘Shop Local’ program in town,
is involved with the bookselling community, and takes advantage of
numerous educational opportunities and resources that are offered.
Titcomb’s Bookshop has become a better bookstore and has lasted 50
years.
The Women’s National Book Association has revealed the
nominees for its 2019 WNBA Pannell Award, which is presented
annually to two bookstores—one general bookstore and one children’s
specialty store—that enrich their communities by inspiring a love of
reading. The award is co-sponsored by Penguin Young Readers Group.
The nominees in the General Bookstore category are: 57th Street
Books in Chicago; Appletree Books in Cleveland Heights, Oh.; Big
Blue Marble Bookstore in Philadelphia; Books Inc. in San Francisco;
BookShop Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, Calif.; Casa Camino Real Book
Store in Las Cruces, N.M.; East City Bookshop in Washington, D.C.;
Gathering Volumes Bookstore in Perrysburg, Oh.; Joseph-Beth
Booksellers in Cincinnati; Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park, Calif.;
Let’s Play Books in Emmaus, Pa.; Main Street Books in Davidson,
N.C.; Octavia Books in New Orleans; Peregrine Book Company in
Prescott, Ariz.; Rakestraw Books in Danville, Calif.; Rediscovered
Books in Boise; Skylight Books in Los Angeles; The Book Cellar in
Lake Worth, Fla.; The Book Tavern in Augusta, Ga.; The Galaxy
Bookshop in Hardwick, Vt.; The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake
City; Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, Wash.;
Titcomb’s Bookshop in East Sandwich, Mass.; Toadstool
Bookshop in Milford, N.H.; Towne Book Center in Collegeville, Pa.;
Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, Calif.; Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
in Middletown, Conn.
The nominees in the Children’s Specialty Bookstore category are:
Books of Wonder in New York, N.Y.; Charlie’s Corner in San
Francisco; Hicklebee’s Book Store in San Jose, Calif.; Hooray for
Books in Alexandria, Va.; Linden Tree Books in Los Altos, Calif.;
Monkey See, Monkey Do... Children’s Bookstore in Clarence, N.Y.;
Second Star to the Right Books in Denver; Square Books Jr. in
Oxford, Miss.; The Briar Patch in Bangor, Me.; and The Reading Bug
in San Carlos, Calif.
The winners will be presented at the BookExpo
Children’s Book and Author Breakfast on May 31 in New
York City. Each of the two winning stores will receive a $1,000
check and a signed original piece of artwork by a children’s
illustrator.