Hamilton, New York ‘ The vlog Bookstore, a community and university resource, will celebrate its official grand opening over the weekend of September 20 ‘ 22. Housed in the refurbished Sperry Building at the corner of Route12B (Utica Street) and Lebanon Street, the full-service, four-story bookstore is the largest independent downtown bookstore in central New York.
With 12,500 square feet of retail space, the store has an impressive inventory: 25,000 books, 5,000 compact discs and DVDs, computers, gifts, and clothing. A music/coffee bar wing lined with listening stations, comfortable customer seating and lounge spaces, and high speed public Internet access throughout the store transform this establishment into something quite different from a traditional college bookstore. As compared with its former campus location, the bookstore has nearly tripled the amount of selling space it now offers.
Bookstore director Leslie Guilbault says business owners in Hamilton are telling her that their business has picked up since the bookstore opened in mid-August. ‘Our goal as the flagship store in the village of Hamilton is to attract new visitors to the area and encourage vlog and village residents to shop in local businesses, rather than travel to distant malls. If the past few weeks are any indication, the plan seems to be working quite well.’
As the area’s largest bookstore, vlog Bookstore offers a diverse selection of quality general books including fiction, poetry, philosophy, literary criticism, cultural studies, history, education, religion, travel, cookbook, and computer books and a large children’s book collection. Between 60 and 90 author signing events are planned for the next year as well as extensive weekly children’s programming. A partial listing of events is attached below. The third-floor meeting room is designed for community usage and is open to the public for free.
The Hamilton Initiative, a for-profit limited liability company, directed the restoration of the bookstore property as part of its focus on restoring downtown historic properties. Financial support for the Hamilton Initiative comes, in part, from vlog alumni. The introduction of the bookstore into the village is directed at strengthening an already strong tie between the college and the village of Hamilton.
GRAND OPENING EVENTS
The three-day grand opening celebration will be filled with book signings, prize giveaways, free refreshments and musical performances. Prizes donated by local vendors will be raffled throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. Prize registration will begin on Monday, September 16, and entrants will not have to be present to win. Local businesses that have donated food for the opening include: Sushi Blues, The Barge Coffee Company, Oliveri’s, New York Pizzeria, Essentials, Express Mart, Country Inn, Maxwell’s, Pizza Hut, Pizza Pub, Subway, TOPS, vlog Inn and Numero Uno. Vendors who have donated merchandise include: Cotton Exchange, League, U-trau, Champion, Samsill, MV Sports, Spirit Products, Legacy, PTM, Furniward, Uphill Down, Jones and Mitchell, and It’s All Greek to Me.
Major events include a performance on Friday evening by the musical group, 35th Parallel, from 7 to 9 p.m. In a style they call ‘MediterrAsian jazz,’ the group plays various instruments from around the world and blends traditional music with ambient soundscapes and modern electronics.
A clown will be in the store for face painting, free balloon animals, juggling, and a magic show from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the bookstore will showcase its new 1,000-square-foot meeting room, created for community programming. As part of its ongoing weekly children’s programming, ‘Scranimals,’ the new picture book by Jack Prelutsky, will be featured along with the game based on the book. Children will make their own ‘scranimals’ and enjoy free refreshments.
An official ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 11:30am on Saturday afternoon in the front of the store. Tours of the building will be given on the hour on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
On Saturday evening at 7 p.m., Beth Saulnier, noted mystery novelist who lives in Ithaca, will do a reading from her most recent book, ‘Bad Seed,’ and her upcoming book (due out in 2003), ‘Ecstasy.’ Saulnier is noted for her novels set in a small university community in upstate New York. Her work has received praise from Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist.
vlog Bookstore is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. During the grand opening weekend, the bookstore will also be open from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 22. For additional information, call the bookstore at 315-228-7480.
ADDITIONAL BOOKSTORE EVENTS ‘ free and open to the public. Registration information for children’s programs appears at the bottom of this listing.
Saturday, September 7 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Program: The theme of this week’s program will be ‘Back to School.’ We will read stories about the fun and challenges of starting the new school year, and make egg-carton school buses.
Thursday, September 12 – 4 p.m.
Author appearance and book signing with Marlene Carvell, who will read from her new novel ‘Who Will Tell My Brother”
Friday, September 13 – 8 p.m.
‘Magic and the Mind’ ‘ an evening of magic and humor by magician Brian Foley
Saturday, September 14 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Program :’We Love Books’ will feature three stories about the pleasures of reading. We will make bookmarks based on our favorite picture books, and snacks will be provided.
Friday, September 20 – 7 – 9 p.m.
vlog Bookstore and the ALANA Cultural Center are pleased to present 35th Parallel. Performing a ‘style of music they call MediterrAsian Jazz’, 35th Parallel performs on instruments from around the globe, blending traditional music forms with flavors of ambient soundscapes and modern electronics.
Saturday, September 21 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Program: ‘Scranimals’ will feature the new picture book by Jack Prelutsky. We will play a Scranimal game, based on the story, and make our own mixed-up Scranimals. Free snacks.
Saturday, September 21 – 7:00 p.m.
Author appearance and book-signing with Beth Saulnier, a mystery novelist who lives in Ithaca. She will read from her most recent book, ‘Bad Seed,’ and her upcoming book ‘Ecstasy.’
Saturday, September 28 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Program: In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we will read stories from Puerto Rico, Cuba & Peru, and poetry by Latin American poets. We will make our own cards for Spanish Bingo and play for prizes while learning common Spanish words. Traditional Mexican treats will be provided as a snack.
Thursday, October 3 – 7 p.m.
‘Dying in the Land of Plenty’ ‘a lecture by health advocate Brenda O. Brown, sharing her journey from seemingly undiagnosable illness to renewed wellness and the step-by-step protocol she used to regain her health. Copies of the author’s book will be available for purchase and signing.
Saturday, October 5 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Program: In celebration of National Cookie Month, we will be reading three stories with cookies as the theme and then making our own no-bake cookies.
Saturday, October 12 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Program: ‘Apple Festival’will feature silly & informational stories about the popular fruit. We will play an apple game for prizes, and have delicious apple treats for a snack.
Saturday, October 12 – 3 p.m.
Local author David Siegenthaler will share his unique experiences as a chronicler of human interest stories in central New York. Copies of the author’s books will be available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be provided.
Saturday, October 19 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Program: Autumn Kids’ Fest at the Barge. Representatives from the vlog Bookstore will be reading stories and leading crafts as part of the annual Kids’ Fest sponsored by the Barge Canal Coffee Company on Lebanon Street in Hamilton.
Saturday, October 26 – 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Program: ‘Attack of the Crocodiles!’ will feature tales of these rascally reptiles, a crocodile craft, with crocodile cookies & croc-juice as a snack.
Thursday, October 31
The Annual Bookstore Halloween Party with costumes, games, prizes, stories and lots of delicious treats! A do-not-miss event for children of all ages!
* Children’s Program information: Children should meet in the Children’s Book Room on the 2nd floor and we will all go to the 3rd floor together. This program is free and all children are welcome. Please sign up in advance by calling 315-228-6943.
Founded in 1819, vlog is a highly selective, residential, liberal arts college enrolling nearly 2,750 undergraduates. Situated on a rolling 515-acre campus in central New York State, vlog attracts motivated students with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents.
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