Blue Bunny Turns Ten: Story of a Store

Ten years ago, my husband, Paul Reynolds, and my brother-in-law, Peter Reynolds, came home one day and announced they had signed a lease for a little sliver of a store in Dedham Square, formerly occupied by Dale’s Cards and Gifts.  “It’s going to be a bookstore,” they told me, “... you can be the buyer.”  That’s how it began, and after my initial shock and bewilderment subsided, I jumped in with the rest of our team of amateurs to figure out how to open, stock, and run an independent bookstore.

From that first tiny store, through those early months and years of establishing our identity and our style, renovating and moving into our current space, and settling into our routines of book selling, story times, author events, and miscellaneous projects and activities, we have grown into what I hope is considered a valuable member of the Dedham business community.  And the friendships that have been nurtured across the counter and in the aisles of our store are priceless to me.

Also priceless--my staff of noble warriors--battling blizzards, leaky ceilings, holiday madness, the Reynolds propensity for clutter, and always, the last-minute preparations for events.  They have been my blessing.  How lucky I am to know that my fantastic team of Cheryl Doucette, Margie Leonard, Sue Hoffman, and the Blue Bunny kids, always has my back!  Their loyalty and fierce protectiveness of our little enterprise truly is a gift.  And Peter, the director, producer, and visionary of The Blue Bunny, always inspires us with the generosity of time and attention he gives to the many, many people who walk through the door, especially the children, who look to him for validation, advice, and maybe, just maybe, a little drawing to take home with them.  

The Blue Bunny has been proud to host some terrifically talented authors and illustrators over the years, proud to celebrate the accomplishments and publications of our proprietor Peter H. Reynolds, proud to inspire kids to be their creative best with the publication of our HUTCH magazine, proud to sponsor the annual North Star Kids’ Ramble, and so proud to offer book advice and a friendly ear to those of you whom we have been privileged to call our customers and supporters.

I remember so well our opening day, October 4, 2003. Although brimming with excitement and curious customers, it offered only a glimpse of the decade-long adventure yet to come.  When I look at photos from that day, I spy now-familiar friends among the strangers who came in to see this new place in town.  Three years later, our move to our new location brought with it even more excitement and momentum, and a grand re-opening that was also memorable and joyful! 

And now, we are ten years in, and I write this to acknowledge all of you who have believed in and supported us all these years.  It has not been easy, and the road ahead for independent bookstores is expected to be rocky.  Ten years later, I feel like we are still learning, still facing challenges, and still a work in progress.  But looking back, I am filled with love and gratitude for the journey we have been on, and the relationships and opportunities that have been granted us through our little shop with the big mission--to inspire kids and grown-up kids to create, share, and make their mark in this world.

On behalf of my family and staff, I thank you for being our friends, thank you for sharing your ideas, families, and favorite books, and most especially, thank you for making the effort to support us.  We hope to see many of you this weekend and in the days ahead, to help us celebrate and forge ahead for many more years to come!


Note: The Blue Bunny will be celebrating this Saturday October 5th, from 10-6 p.m., with 10% off all purchases, a birthday-cake cutting at 11 a.m., and prizes and surprises throughout the day.  All are warmly welcome to stop in and say hello!