by Albert Huang
As the door to Athena Books opens, a wave of warm air rushes by the entrance and the bright lights reveal the wooden shelves stocked with varieties of spines. The inviting home-like center of the shop displays leather seats surrounded by seafoam shelves that encourages community members to cozy up, read, and chat about their favorite stories.
The independent bookstore officially opened up to new readers and book lovers alike last Friday in Old Greenwich.
Jennifer Bird and her husband Odysseas Kostas founded Athena Books. Bird said she and her husband were inspired to create a community hub by their two daughters. Because of that inspiration, Athena Books contains a wide variety of books for early readers and students recommended by local librarians.
“I’ve talked to librarians at a couple of different schools and they’ve sent us lessons and recommendations,” Bird noted. “We’re paying special attention to what the schools are recommending!”
Bird says she keeps in contact with librarians but also visits local libraries to see what they feature so the store can be up to date with award winning material. Bird says she focuses on books that have well-written messages that are entertaining for both the children and the adults.
“I think for the girls this was a great way to show them how to run a business and how to be an entrepreneur. My daughters are both very involved and recommending books all the time,” she said proudly.
That’s not all the bookstore has, Athena Books is constantly looking for new additions to its shelves from the community. The bookstore features a mirror and a set of Post-It notes where people can tag the mirror and share what they’ve been reading. Bird says the staff looks at the notes and looks to add the most popular suggestions.
Recently the Athena Books team has stocked their shelves with genres such as Greek mythology, biographies, gardening books, graphic novels, self-help books, parenting guides, book club books, and more.
Greek mythology holds a special meaning to the founders, and the book section hangs towards the back of the store right next to an arched alcove entrance designed as a room for early readers, which is designed to help kids develop their reading skills in a comfortable reading environment/
“Athena is the goddess of wisdom, which made sense for the bookstore and our two daughters,” said Bird. “We thought she was a powerful role model.”
The Athena Books logo is the olive tree. Bird says that the olive tree is one of Athena’s symbols and comes from the story of how the Greek city of Athens got its name. In mythology there was a contest to name the city between Poseidon and Athena. Athena planted an olive tree which provided food, shelter, and warmth.
“The olive tree symbolizes giving to the community. It’s her symbol and it’s what we’re trying to do,” said Bird.
“I’m so glad she’s here. A bookstore creates the heart of the community. It’s like a meeting place, a gathering place,” said Diane Roth, the leasing agent for the property. “It means a lot to Old Greenwich.”
Athena Books also has plenty of shelves lined with gift ideas like cards, sticker books, puzzles, and art.
“As far as the gift selections, we’re trying to pick things that are more creative and stimulating. So a lot of art and puzzles, and things like sticker books,” said Bird. “I want this to be a bookstore but also a place that makes moms and other people’s lives easy, as far as being able to pickup a book, and a gift
Athena Books is now open for business at 228 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich, CT.
