Towne Book Center holds 8 monthly book clubs (Credit: Towne Book Center via Facebook)
Community is important for independent bookstores, he says
When he bought the Towne Book Center and Wine Bar in Collegeville in October 2019, Drew Mondry was looking for a strong sense of community and he found it right here in Montgomery County.
At the time he had just turned 30 and was living in Dallas, Texas, but wanted a change.
“I always loved retail, books, and reading,” he told Access Network. “And I love to talk to people about what I am passionate about.”
That passion led him on a search to purchase a bookstore so when Towne Book Center’s PK Sindwani decided to retire, it was the perfect opportunity for Mondry. Now he continues to build upon the community that the Sindwani family first cultivated.
“Independent bookstores come down to community. We exist to give a place for everyone to gather and be comfortable,” he explained. We give people the tools and resources they might need to have difficult conversations but also exist to provide an escape from the world,” he explained.
What makes Towne Book Center so unique, besides that it was the first bookstore in Pennsylvania to serve wine and books, is the variety of ways Mondry and his staff connect with the Collegeville community.
From lively conversations about favorite books to special events and book clubs, Mondry said the people who work in the store are passionate about books and want to talk to you about them.
Town Booke Center holds a Brew and Games night every other Friday and hosts author events and midnight book release parties. Mondry and his staff also support the community through special fundraisers for local charities and other special events.
To inspire readers on their next purchase, Towne Book Center also posts curated book recommendations including staff picks, celebrity book clubs and The New York Times bestselling books on its website.
Mondry said they also host 8 book clubs.
“Our book clubs are held once a month and some are led by employees and some by customers. We will keep the book you are reading in stock to make it easy for book club members to purchase it,” he said.
Book club selections are always in paperback with a 15% discount for club members.
Some of the current book clubs include:
Rainbow Reads Book Club
The Rainbow Reads Book Club is led by Towne Book Center customer Amory. All the selections for the Rainbow Reads Book Club feature protagonists who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. They meet on the last Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Ausome Reads
Ausome Reads Book Club aims to read books in order to understand autism, neurodiversity, and the neurodiversity movement better. The club is hosted by Rebecca Robbins MS, CCC-SLP and meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Resistance Book Club
"An Injury to One is an Injury to All": An American History of Resistance is a book club run by Towne Book Center customer Joe and focuses on studying the history of organized labor, civil rights advocacy, protest movements, and efforts to effect change within the government in the United States. They meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
There are also book clubs focused on different genres like horror, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy and romance.
Mondry said they are always open to more book clubs. If you are interested in starting one, fill out the contact form or call (610) 454-0640.
Mondry added on a personal note that he is so grateful to be a part of the Collegeville community. When he moved here from Texas, he didn’t know anyone and then COVID-19 lockdowns happened, but despite the extra challenges, he said he felt embraced by the community.
“The people who come into the store and become regulars make my move such a worthwhile decision. Come visit and talk to us about what you are reading.”
The Town Booke Center is located at 160 Market Street, Suite C6 in Collegeville for more information visit townebc.com or call (610) 454-0640.
