This past July, the Winthrop Book Depot and Café relocated to a larger space at 9 Somerset Avenue, marking an exciting new chapter for our community’s beloved dual bookstore and coffee shop. Since taking over the business in 2011, the owners, mother and daughter Susan Martucci and Suzanne Martucci-Gallo have seen ongoing success and decided it was time to move to a location that could accommodate their growing customer base and expanding offerings.

Now, as someone who has spent innumerable mornings in this cozy shop, I can personally say how much my family and I adore this place. My sisters and I are regulars, and over the years, we’ve developed such a strong bond with the owners Susan and Suzanne, who truly feel like family to us. The Book Depot has been a keystone in our community, and it’s been so exciting to see them thrive and expand. I’m also incredibly grateful that Suzanne took time out of her busy schedule to sit down and let me interview her. Susan and Suzanne’s kindness and generosity, both during the interview and in everything they do for their customers, never cease to amaze me!

The Inspiration Behind the Relocation

When asked what motivated the shop’s transition to a new location, Suzanne explained, “We needed more space. When we took over the business, it was small but successful. Over the years, we gradually got really busy, especially after we introduced more café items. The lines were getting longer, and we had to hire extra help. The space just became too small for customers and employees to function the way we wanted.” The transition to the larger space, she noted, has been smooth and well worth the effort: “Now that we’re here, it’s super obvious how necessary the extra space was. It’s amazing working with all this beautiful room.”

Struggles During the Move, and Solutions

Of course, the move didn’t come without its challenges! The owners faced several obstacles during construction, particularly due to the age of the building. “Our contractor had some trouble getting certain things, like countertops, because of stock issues. The building was also slightly crooked because it’s an old structure, but they did an outstanding job handling every problem that came up. The basement door was an issue, too, and they had to get really creative,” Suzanne explained. Despite the difficulties, the owners are thrilled with how everything turned out. The contractors’ diligence and attention to detail made a substantial difference in making the space exactly what Susan and Suzanne had envisioned. “We were very specific about details, like the lighting and the backsplash, but our contractors accommodated all our requests and made everything work!”

New! New! New!

The new location comes with several exciting attributes that enhance both the café and bookstore experience. One of the most significant upgrades is the additional counter space and equipment, which has allowed for an expanded menu and improved service. “Aside from the space just being so much bigger, we now have room for more refrigerators, so we can carry more products. We even added a freezer, an extra espresso machine, and an additional toaster,” Suzanne told me.

Another perk of the larger space is the ability to offer a more varied book selection, as well as more plants! “We can carry more books now, and we’ve even added lots of plants to the space, making it feel more comfortable. What we have now used to be squished into the old place!” Suzanne added.

As for the café menu, the new space has allowed for the launch of extraordinarily exciting new items. “We have ice cream now, so you can get an affogato, as well as a root beer float. We’ve also introduced gluten-free muffins and we plan to test out more new food items,” Suzanne shared. However, she emphasized that gradual change has always worked best for their business. “We’re going to try implementing new things little by little and see what works.”

More Space, More Efficiency

Owners Susan and Suzanne are confident the new space will significantly sweeten the customer experience. One major modification is the ease of moving around the café. “It’s so much more pleasant to wait in line now— you’re not on top of someone else, and no one is invading each other’s space,” Suzanne explained. The spacious, open layout was designed with customers in mind. “We were able to start from scratch in this new space, so we could execute our vision. We wanted it to be open, bright, and have a fresh feel. People seem to really enjoy it.”

With the added space also comes more seating for customers to relax, work, or socialize, as well as new amenities like secure Wi-Fi. “Aesthetically, it’s super nice, and the space functions better with more products for people to browse through. We can also get orders out faster and keep the line moving, which has really improved efficiency,” Suzanne mentioned.

The expansion has also had a positive impact on the staff and overall operations. “We’re so much happier working here,” Suzanne noted. “The larger space has definitely increased our efficiency and joy. Plus, we’ve added two new people to the team!”

New Beginnings

Since the move, feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’re so lucky to have the nicest customers ever,” Suzanne shared. “It makes me so happy that they’re happy.”

Looking to the future, the owners plan to continue building on what has made the shop such a cherished part of the Winthrop community. Suzanne mentioned, “We want to continue what we’ve been doing because it’s been working for us. Our goal is to be a community hub— a place where people feel welcome and comfortable. We want to be reliable and consistent, and we plan to keep that going.”

Final Remarks

In closing, Suzanne made sure to express her gratitude for the Winthrop community’s love and support during the move! “We’re very thankful for the opportunity to have this space and for the amazing customers we’ve had along the way,” she noted.

For regulars like myself and my family, this new space feels like a natural and exciting next step for a place we’ve come to love so much. Honestly, Susan and Suzanne have created more than just a coffee shop and bookstore— they’ve built a haven full of absolute warmth and geniality, with a perfect sense of small-town charm. Their passion for what they do is reflected in every corner of the shop, and that’s what makes it such a special place for so many of us here in Winthrop.

Everyone, make sure to stop by the Winthrop Book Depot and Café and give your love to Susan, Suzanne, and everyone on the staff after their transition to an awesome new location! Their kindness and generosity, both to their customers and to the town residents at large, is truly remarkable. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this extraordinary spot in our town.