The Wandering Page mobile bookstore goes brick-and-mortar in Bellmore

What began as a mobile literary haven has now found a permanent home on Bedford Avenue in Bellmore, welcoming readers of all ages and backgrounds after celebrating its grand opening this past Saturday.

Bellmore native and high school Spanish teacher Denise Cruz built a thriving business selling handmade jewelry before the pandemic. But in the summer of 2023, a severe car accident in Florida left her with a broken right hand — her dominant hand — requiring two surgeries and making intricate jewelry work nearly impossible.

“I still wanted to be creative and make a little extra cash,” Cruz told Greater Long Island. “Creating is how I relax.”

Determined to find a new creative outlet, Cruz invested in a laser engraving machine and pivoted to making acrylic keychains, bookmarks and other personalized items. Her bookmarks — especially when paired with “blind dates with a book” — quickly became customer favorites.

An avid reader who moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic at age 12, Cruz said books helped her learn English. It wasn’t long before her business naturally evolved toward literary-themed merchandise.

Over the next two years, she expanded her offerings to include journals made from wood and leather, along with a growing collection of book-inspired gifts.

The popularity of those products, coupled with the unpredictability of outdoor markets, inspired an even bigger idea: a mobile bookstore.

With the support of her husband, Carlos, a former NYPD detective, Cruz spent months transforming a 7-by-14-foot trailer into a cozy bookstore on wheels.

Beginning in May of last year, she built much of the interior herself, decorating it with wallpaper, a glowing neon sign, comfortable benches and shelves stocked with children’s books, romance, fiction, nonfiction, journals and stickers.

By September, the mobile bookstore was drawing crowds at events across Long Island and building a loyal following.

“Seeing how happy people get about the trailer,” she said, “was truly rewarding.”

Earlier this year, Cruz learned that a storefront had become available in Bellmore.

“It’s always been my dream to open a store,” Cruz said. “The town needs it. We don’t have any independent bookstores near here. Bedford is being built up and we need stuff like this.”

After signing the lease, Cruz and her husband began another ambitious renovation. The former law office required extensive work, but the vision remained the same: to create a warm, welcoming extension of the mobile bookstore that had already captured the community’s imagination.

The brick-and-mortar location, aptly named The Wandering Page, features a modern farmhouse aesthetic with green, navy and beige tones accented by gold finishes. Cozy couches, comfortable chairs and even a picnic table invite visitors to settle in and stay awhile.

The Wandering Page was also designed with inclusivity in mind.

“My current students and former students come, my kids who didn’t like to read before like to read now,” Cruz said, describing the impact the bookstore is already having.

The shelves feature Spanish-language books, works by Latino and Black authors, and a dedicated section highlighting independent Long Island writers.

The Wandering Page is located at 103 Bedford Ave. in Bellmore. The bookstore is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

The couple also plans to host regular events and create a welcoming gathering place where every book lover feels at home.

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Credit: Denise Cruz/courtesy photos