From Book Truck To Bookshop: Bellmore Couple Opens New Store

BELLMORE, NY — From a mobile book truck to a storefront on Bedford Avenue, a Bellmore couple has turned more than just pages with the Wandering Page Bookshop.

After owning a mobile bookshop for more than a year, Denise and Juan Carlos Cruz opened the new shop at 103 Bedford Avenue in Bellmore on June 27.

As an avid reader who loves the beauty of reading and creating, Denise wanted to fulfill her longtime dream of owning a bookshop, especially in Bellmore, a place she has called home for two decades.

Now, she gets to decide what's on the shelves while meeting families and community members and chatting about new releases and five-star novels.

"The best conversations are always about books and book recommendations," she said.

Denise said that while reading literature and welcoming other book lovers into a shop has long been her passion, opening the business also helped inspire her husband to retire from the New York Police Department to the calming stacks of a bookshop.

With the new venture, Juan greets local customers at the storefront during the day while Denise continues working as a high school teacher.

The local shop has hosted several events this summer, including children's author readings with crafts, bedazzling books, and other crafting events. The small business also participated in the Bellmore block party.

From meeting new people to meeting new creative worlds, Denise said she has been overjoyed by their decision to open shop.

"We made my dream come true by opening a brick-and-mortar," Denise said.