Books on the Common, located in the heart of Main Street, is nearing its 30th anniversary. It originated in 1984 with Bob and Sally Silbernagel in Copps Hill Common, where it thrived despite the expansion of large bookstore chains. Ellen Burns and Darwin Ellis, long-time Ridgefield residents and avid readers, acquired the business in 2004. Five years later the new owners saw an opportunity in the old Bedient’s building, with its high ceilings, huge windows and increased visibility, and moved it to its present home at 404 Main Street. The result: increased sales and expanded hours. Why buy from Books on the Common, when you can save a few dollars at online competitors? “For many reasons,” according to Ms. Burns. “We support local businesses and charities and employ local people, including many RHS students. We do our own buying - we read a lot and happily make recommendations. When we don’t have a book in stock, we can usually get it in a day with no shipping charge.” But for the owners of Books on the Common the reason boils down to an essential they feel most Ridgefielders share: They would not want to live in a town without a bookstore.
