Oliver & Friends book store in Belgrade Lakes celebrates a year in business

BELGRADE — When Renee Cunningham began the process of opening Oliver & Friends Bookshop in Belgrade Lakes village, she never

dreamed that she would be opening in the middle of a pandemic. The store was scheduled to open in May 2020, but because of the pandemic she was only allowed to offer curbside pickup that month. When retail stores were allowed to re-open in June 2020, it was under capacity restrictions and without the events and tourist season she had banked on.
Despite the tumultuous start, Oliver & Friends Bookshop celebrated its first birthday June 5. In addition to refreshments and raffles, local author and historian Earl Smith signed copies of his new book “Downeast Genius: From Earmuffs to Motor Cars Maine Inventors Who Changed the World.”
“Although it’s my store’s first birthday, it really feels like the grand opening I never got to have,” Cunningham said. “I’m so thrilled to be able to welcome Earl for my very first book signing. The pandemic brought challenges that I never could have imagined, so being able to celebrate a year in business is beyond exciting.”
Cunningham said the party had a wonderful sense of community as people enjoyed refreshments and lively conversation on the porch and in the store.
Oliver & Friends Bookshop, 87 Main St., is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.