Special Bookstore Gets New Lease On Life In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A used bookstore operated by the school system for special education has received a new lease on life, with the town council approving a new lease extension for the site.

The West Hartford Town Council on Jan. 27 unanimously approved a resolution extending a lease for a used bookstore operated by West Hartford Public Schools as part of its post-secondary special education program.

Council member Debra Polun moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the lease extension at 13 S. Main St., and Council member Tiffani McGinnis seconded the motion.

The resolution easily passed on a 9–0 vote, which approves spending $65,000 per year to rent the building, which is up from the previous five-year lease of $54,000.

The action allows West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith to execute an amendment extending the lease through May 31, 2031.

The space houses “The Next Chapter,” a used bookstore that serves as a vocational training site for special education students ages 18 to 21.

The bookstore is operated as part of the district’s Post-Secondary Program, which provides mandated services focused on independent living skills, job training, and community-based instruction for eligible students who have completed high school.

Under the terms outlined in the resolution, the West Hartford Board of Education would continue leasing the space for an additional five years at an annual cost of $65,000.

The rent would be paid from the Board of Education’s operating budget using funds appropriated by the town, subject to annual approval.

The current lease expires May 31, 2026.

All terms and conditions of the lease amendment are subject to review and approval by the town’s corporation counsel.

Council members cited continued support for The Next Chapter program and its role in providing vocational opportunities for students while contributing to the local business district.

Ledwith reflected on the school's history, saying it opened in 2021, and when it opened five years ago, it helped about a dozen students at the time.

"I remember the ribbon cutting like it was yesterday," said Ledwith. "It gives the opportunity for students in the post-secondary program the opportunity to work at the bookstore Monday through Friday and learn different life skills, job skills, and independent skills that will better serve them as they enter life after the post-secondary program."

He explained that while the function of the store is a school endeavor, since renewing a lease is a real estate matter, the council must vote on it.

The resolution specifically authorizes Ledwith to sign the lease agreement with the building landlord.

"What a special opportunity this is to renew the lease and support them," said Democratic West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor.

"This is a great program, and I'm glad we have that in town," said Republican West Hartford Town Council member Gayle Harris.

Polun said the site is a "prime location" that gets a lot of foot traffic and visitors, with the store giving folks the chance to buy books and help out program beneficiaries.

"It makes people feel they are helping out our next generation," she said.

For the minutes of the Jan. 27 West Hartford Town Council, click on this link.