Longtime Reading Business Settles in at New Location

After being without a space of its own for a year, The Hitching Post found a new place down the block from its former location.

The Hitching Post, which has been part of the Reading community since 1963, focuses on the work of local artists and sells one-of-a-kind items including home decor, pottery, jewelry and giftware.

Since 1975, the store was located at 190 Haven St. until it was forced to move out due to building renovations last year.

“We expected to move back into the original location,” The Hitching Post owner Leslie Leahy said. “After a year of waiting, it just didn’t work out with the landlord, so we started looking for a new location.

Leahy expected the business to be closed for only six months, but as the time passed, The Hitching Post decided to temporarily share a business location with The Chocolate Truffle, 494 Main St.

“The Hitching Post is very grateful for the support of the community and all the local businesses,” Leahy said. “We are very happy to be back and open again.”

Haven Street is home to many restaurants and businesses and the street operates a lot of foot traffic, Leahy said. “It’s a very vibrant area,” she said.

When customers walk into the store, they will encounter wooden bowls and trays, handmade venetian glass, swarovski crystal jewelry, as well as watercolor paintings of Reading landscapes on greeting cards, prints, mugs and ornaments.

“We have a lot of Reading items and Boston items,” Leahy said.

Featured work includes woodenware by Geneva Smithlin, of Lexington, who restores and decorates vintage wooden pieces with woodburn designs. “Every single one is different,” Leahy said.

Customers will also find calligraphy of original poems on pictures and greeting cards by Lady With A Pen, which is owned and created by Nancy Reily of Stoneham.

After one week of operation, members of the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce, Reading town officials and community members gathered at The Hitching Post for a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new location last Friday.

Picture: (l-r) Shanna Cahalane of Reading Co-operative Bank, Mike Bonnell of Bertucci’s, Tom O’Connor of Reading Trophy & Shirt, Chamber President Lisa DeLeo of Lumina Salon, Town Planner Jean Delios, Leslie Leahy of The Hitching Post, Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, Colleen Perry of Brissonte’ Gifts & Home Decόr, Leslie McGonagle of Reading Gymnastics Academy, and Jay Smith of Sense of Wonder.