New Owner To Bring Changes To Local Bookstore

With a new owner and a construction underway, changes are coming to Burton’s Bookstore on 43 Front Street in Greenport.

Scott Raulsome closed the deal to take over the bookstore from former owner, George Maaiki, on Monday, Oct. 6.

“I’m nervous-excited,” he said. “It’s like ‘ok it’s not a pipe dream, it’s real’.’

Today, he opened the front part of the store while the back remained under renovations.

Raulsome plans to paint, renovate, increase the stock (especially fiction), add new floors, change the layout of the store, expand the children’s section and add new displays to the store, which originally opened in 1979.

“There’s a lot happening,” he said. “The next few months are going to be pretty busy.”

He also hopes to have more events at the store like: book signings, readings, children’s events, or tutoring.

“I’m willing to try anything right now,” he said.

While the store will undergo several changes, Raulsome still hopes to “maintain the essence of a small-town bookstore.”

“I want the community to be proud there is a bookstore in town,” he said. “I want a charming, quaint bookstore people love to go to.”

While Raulsome is originally from Nassau County, his mother lives in Aquebogue, which is how he first discovered the North Fork. He eventually hopes to move to the area. Until then, he has been meeting several locals, who are very happy the store will remain a bookstore.

“Everyone is very friendly,” he said. “It’s fun to talk to the local people.”

The store will be undergoing renovations throughout the fall and winter. Raulsome hopes the store will be ready by April.