The Melrose Messenger

Molly’s Bookstore Celebrates Two Years as Melrose’s Local Bookstore

By Ellen Putnam

Last week, Molly’s Bookstore celebrated its second anniversary. In the two years since it opened, Molly’s has become an anchor in Melrose, offering not only books, but also a place for people of all ages to gather and find community.

Molly’s popularity is part of a larger movement back toward independent bookstores and physical books since the pandemic, with bookstores in many towns serving as community centers as well as places to buy books.

“Everyone’s on their computers all day,” explained owner Andrea Iriarte Dent, “so at the end of the day, you want to move away from that and just relax with a physical book.” At the same time, Dent went on, “there’s been this push for making books look beautiful,” with some readers showing off large collections of special editions of their favorite books.

Molly’s offers a large, carefully curated selection of books for adults on the main floor and children’s books on the lower level, as well as stationery and gifts. “A lot of people come in and find that book they wouldn’t be able to find somewhere else,” said Dent.

“You don’t see the amount of work we put into curation,” she added. Dent described how, to prepare for an appointment with the representative of just one children’s book publisher, she spent hours going through their catalog, deciding which books would be just right for the store to carry.

(Readers should also be aware that Molly's is happy to order any books they don't have in stock - just ask!)

Much of the selection at Molly’s is driven by Dent’s own eclectic tastes. “I need something that grabs me,” she explained, noting that the genre matters less to her than the quality of the writing and the joy of reading.

Romance, for example, is a genre that has experienced enormous growth in recent years. “There are some really great writers in romance,” said Dent, “and they’re ahead of everyone else, in terms of the diversity of the characters, what they’re going through, how they approach relationships...they’re in the nitty gritty of what’s happening in life. There’s a reason romance is gaining right now,” she went on, “they understood the assignment.”

While other bookstores might choose not to carry romance novels, or hide them away in the back, “A good book is a good book,” said Dent, “and being snobby about it makes no sense.”

“It’s the same with children’s literature,” Dent went on. “People will say reading graphic novels isn’t really reading, but why not? The artwork is amazing. I love a good graphic novel. And then there’s also the funny, ridiculous stuff you need. There’s a reason Diary of a Wimpy Kid has sold as many books as it has. Fun is important. Not everything has to be a learning experience.”

Molly’s book selection is not the only service it offers: it also serves as a gathering space and a place where people can find community.

“I always dreamed of being that space where people come and feel comfortable,” said Dent. “Kids who come to hang out and spend the afternoon reading and playing. Teenagers who come and talk to us about their lives. Older people who are going to the doctor and need a safe space to come and relax afterward. It has become that place, and that fills me with joy. It is that special place for people, and that’s a really special feeling. Knowing that all these people feel welcome and loved.”

The book clubs in particular are a place where people can find an ongoing community. Molly’s offers six different book clubs on a monthly basis: a general interest book club, a science fiction and fantasy club, a Spanish-language club, a children’s club, a young adult club, and a diverse authors club. Book selections are advertised at the start of each month, and participants can just show up to discuss the books - no need to pre-register. “It’s a real community,” Dent said. “People have become friends outside of the clubs, which was the whole idea.”

Molly’s also hosts themed storytimes for kids and parties for adults - the most recent was the Wicked and Wild Women Party, where participants dressed up as their favorite characters from literature. Dent connects this to the fun atmosphere she aims to foster at Molly’s: “Yes, it’s the Wicked and Wild Women event, but let’s dress up and make it pink!”

The staff at Molly’s have formed their own community, too. “Never once have I said, ‘I don’t want to go in to work,’” said Dent. “It’s hard work, but we also have fun together.”

Molly’s also fosters connections with other community organizations and local nonprofits. “We’ve really become an integral part of the community,” said Dent, “so when anybody needs something - a fundraiser, event space - now they think Molly’s.”

As for what’s next for Molly’s? The staff are currently working on expanding their website so that customers can shop from home, too. “That way,” said Dent, “Molly’s can be your local bookstore wherever you are.”

They are also expanding: a new location of Molly’s will be moving into the Allston Labworks this fall. “I wasn’t looking to grow,” explained Dent, “but the developers said, ‘We want Molly’s Bookstore. We want your brand,’ and I decided I couldn’t say no.” The challenge Dent faces now is trying to recreate the feel of Molly’s, from the paint colors and flooring to the furniture. The children’s area in this new branch will feature a play house, in a nod to the beloved reading nooks in the original Molly’s children’s section.

“I’ve been really thinking about who we are,” said Dent, “and what makes us different from other bookstores. When you walk into Molly’s, you know it’s different, and we have to replicate that with a different team in this new location. We know what it is, but now we need to articulate it.”

Posted March 11th, 2025