Two hundred and eighty boxes of books. That’s how many were transported from the iconic downtown Mystic location of Bank Square Books to the store’s roomy and pleasant new location on Stonington Road.

“The moving company estimated we’d need 130 totes, and that’s what they brought us,” said Douglas Riggs, manager at Bank Square. He smiled. “But how do you ballpark that? We filled those by 11 a.m., then went to Home Depot and bought every box they had.”

On Tuesday evening Riggs was standing at the front of the transplanted spot, which officially opened last week. The aforementioned books were neatly displayed on the shelves, and the bright, welcoming spot was busy. Over 100 customers were there for a Grand Opening event: Old Lyme resident and multiple New York Times bestselling novelist Luanne Rice was discussing her latest book, “If Anything Happens to Me.”

The new Bank Square Books has a large, rectangular floorspace quite different than the downtown spot, which, with its odd angles and nooks, provided indie bookstore charm. But Riggs and staff have maintained that warmth and intimacy by arranging shelving at angles and in configurations that replicate a sense of belonging while taking advantage of the roominess.

Also carrying over are the distinctive touches of décor with posters, couches and chairs for in-store reading, plenty of window-provided light and the witty homemade signage and flourishes long associated with Bank Square employees.

A fine first impression

As the crowd meandered around before Rice began her presentation, sipping wine and noshing author-provided snacks, there was a tangible sense of pleasant relief — as though longtime customers had been afraid they wouldn’t recognize the characteristics of a relocated bookstore they loved and come to rely on.

“I admit, I thought it was crazy for them to come this far from downtown,” said Donna Simpson of Mystic. “If I’m a tourist somewhere and there’s a bookstore, I always go in and probably buy a few books I don’t need. I hope I’m totally wrong and I might be. This is a beautiful space and, just walking in, I knew immediately it still has all those Bank Square touches. I’m impressed.”

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Mystic resident Linda Burrows. “It’s a much bigger space but it still has the comfort of the old store. And it’s so nice to have parking.”

Indeed, when Bank Square Books owner Annie Philbrick made the decision, last June, to close the original store and move to the new location, parking was one of the considerations.

At the time, Philbrick told The Day, “We’d love to stay downtown but there are issues. We struggle to do in-store author events because the floor plan is so divided, and the growth of downtown Mystic in recent years has made parking an issue.”

Now that the store is open, Philbrick said by email, “A big thank you to our community of book lovers for their ongoing support in our move to the new space. It’s a seismic change for everyone and we want to include our community in our appreciation while we get the new space settled.”

Moving forward

Now that the months of packing and preparation are done and the new store is a reality, Riggs is relieved and optimistic.

“I’m humbled by the overwhelmingly positive response during the short time we’ve been open,” he said. “I think this is a place where people can visit and stay for longer periods of time. We’re very proud of what we’ve done thus far and, honestly, we’re just getting started.”

Plans are to maintain and expand on what was already a busy author events schedule that includes area writers as well as touring big name authors who are often in transit from Boston or New York, and who just as often have heard of Bank Square’s indie reputation. Bank Square also participates in cooperative signing events such as the Ocean House Author Series at the titular resort in Watch Hill and Delicious Discussions at the Michael Jordan Steakhouse at Mohegan Sun.

As well, Bank Square features regular in-store reading groups, children’s activities and writing workshops and merchandise like greeting cards, journals, audiobooks, gifts and more.

“Our calendar is a composite of events we’ve actively pursued and those that are solicited to us. A bookstore’s ultimate purpose is to serve the local community and we’re fortunate to find ourselves in a very literary one,” said Riggs, who worked in Chicago as a bookseller and buyer for two decades before he and his wife, author Lara Erlich, moved to Gales Ferry in 2019. He joined BSB shortly thereafter.

That independent spirit

He also emphasized a commitment to publishers besides the “Big Five” houses: Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster.

“As the manager of an independent bookstore, I have a soft spot for small presses and indie publishers,” Riggs said. “Small presses are the lifeblood of indie bookstores. They provide voices that push boundaries, challenge conventions and offer new perspectives. In short, they make things new, vibrant and exciting.”

Riggs took care to credit the BSB employees, noting that all staff members who were working at the old location made the move to the new store. Including high school and college students who work part time, about 23 people are Bank Square employees.

“We lean on the talent of our staff,” Riggs said. “Dan Morosky has been here since Bank Square for 30 years. He’s so humble and knows everything about the store and the business. Lindsay Makowicki, our events manager, has taken that aspect to a new level. Our whole staff is committed. There’s no magic formula.”

After another of the store’s longtime events employees, Sherry Fritzsche, introduced Rice, the author described the many Bank Square events she’s “proudly done over the years,” said to the assemblage of fans, “I brought snacks and wine tonight not so much to celebrate my books but to celebrate the opening of this wonderful new store. Thanks to all of you for being here.”

As customers lined up to meet Rice and have their books signed, Cindy Palmer, who has worked at Bank Square for years, watched the queue happily. “I think of this as a wonderful opportunity for Bank Square Books as well as the community,” she said. “I’m hopeful our supporters will make the effort because they’ll enjoy the new space. And, yes, there’s plenty of parking.”

What: Bank Square Books

Where: 80 Stonington Road, Mystic

Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily

For more information: banksquarebooks.com, (860) 536-3795