Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app.
Huntington’s newest book store recently opened its doors.
But there’s much more to come.
In July 2022, Greater Long Island reported that The Book Revue’s successor had officially found a home.
The old bookstore, located at 313 New York Ave., closed in 2021 after 44 years in business.
But Mallory Braun, The Book Revue’s then-manager, knew she wanted to keep its legacy alive.
And after quite a journey, it’s finally here.
Located in a standalone shop at 204 New York Ave., just a short walk from the old bookstore, Braun signed her lease over the summer and went right into work.
She said that up until this past winter, she and her team were cleaning the former warehouse, organizing all the books they collected over the last two years, staging shelves and organizing the books.
They officially opened up Dec. 3.
“We’ve been putting up signs up on most of the sections and it looks awesome,” Braun said.
Along with filling the shelves with everything from teen novels to art textbooks, Braun said she and the staff are working on the back room — roughly 2,000 square feet — that will be turned into an event space.
“Once we’re finished cleaning up that room, we’re going do some work on it,” she said. “We’ll be able to have this really nice space for author signings and other events.”
Braun is hoping for that project to be finalized in spring or summer of this year.
And while The Next Chapter shares DNA with The Book Revue — Braun said its original owner, Richard Klein, is her mentor now — there are some differences that make it unique.
The Next Chapter has its own large parking lot in the back, making it easier for visitors to grab a spot. Braun also wants to utilize that space during the warmer months for outdoor activities.
“We’re trying to retain the spirit as much as we can while adding our own flair,” Braun said.
Along with an entirely new children’s section in the back part of the store, The Next Chapter is also stocked with a lot of first-edition novels for sale, as well as records.
“We intend on doing music events, as well as author signings,” she said. “There are so many opportunities, there’s a lot of things you can do.”
So what is this young entrepreneur’s favorite part of the store?
“That it exists,” she said. “I’m happy to be here and it’s amazing to see it come to fruition and to see people get excited.”
The Next Chapter is also hosting an in-person book club at the store on the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. No registration is needed.
