Forage Books Open on Valentine’s Day in Kennett Square

“Not All Who Wander Are Lost.”
J.R.R. Tolkien

There is something special about wandering into a bookstore with no particular title in mind and leaving with a story that feels like it was waiting just for you. That sense of discovery is at the heart of Forage Books, a new independent bookstore opening in Kennett Square.

Located at 121 West State Street, the shop officially opens its doors at 11 a.m. on February 14. The first 20 customers will be welcomed with a small Valentine’s Day treat with purchase, a fitting gesture for a store built on connection and community.

Owner Tamlyn Ancone is the founder and curator of Forage Books, a space she has envisioned as welcoming, intentional, and deeply connected to the local community. A graduate of Hofstra University, she previously lived in Philadelphia with her husband, whose roots trace back to Unionville. After the pandemic, the couple chose to move closer to his hometown, and in that transition, Tamlyn’s long held dream of opening a bookstore began to shift from a distant idea into a future possibility.

She had imagined launching the shop perhaps a year or more down the road. But when the space on State Street became available, she felt a pull she could not ignore, and decided it was time to take the leap.

Forage Books is thoughtfully curated, with the name itself inviting visitors to come in and seek, discover, and explore. To forage is to search with intention, and Tamlyn hopes customers will browse the shelves in that spirit, finding books that help them learn, escape, and spark imagination. The name Forage also serves as a subtle nod to Kennett Square’s connection to nature and its well known mushroom heritage, tying the spirit of exploration inside the shop to the landscape and agricultural roots that define the community.

“Kennett Square is such a special place and everyone has been so welcoming,” Ancone said. “I cannot tell you how many people have reached out with well wishes and offers to lend a hand. I can only hope to give community members a space that makes them feel as welcome as they’ve made me feel.”

Though the store is cozy, the selection is wide and spans multiple genres. An upstairs area is dedicated to children’s books, offering families a welcoming place to nurture young readers. In the back of the store, a flexible space is taking shape and will eventually host book clubs, author visits, and community gatherings. Local artists’ work will rotate on the walls, adding a dynamic and creative energy.

From the fauna installation to the candles, bookmarks, mugs, greeting cards, window displays, and more, much of the merchandise that complements the books in the store comes from local makers. Before opening, Tamlyn even asked local residents to share their personal book recommendations, many of which are now showcased on the shelves. It is a collaborative and meaningful way to ensure the store reflects the voices of the community.

For Tamlyn, bookstores are more than retail spaces. They are gathering places and quiet sanctuaries, places where ideas are exchanged and imaginations are stretched.

“I’ve been an avid reader my whole life,” Ancone said. “Books can be an incredible escape, but can also offer an important window into other perspectives and provide an opportunity to grow empathetically. Bookstores that foster those ideals have always felt like a little magic portal to me. The right bookstore can make you feel like it was built just for you. I hope the community feels that way about Forage.”

As Forage Books begins its journey, Tamlyn is already thinking ahead to what the shop might become.

“My hope is that Forage can become a literary gathering space in Kennett Square,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the day where our back space is open and we can offer larger community gathering events like poetry readings, author signings, and book clubs.”

With its curated shelves, local artistry, and emphasis on connection, Forage Books is poised to become a gem along State Street. It is the kind of place that pairs perfectly with a day spent enjoying coffee, shopping, dining, and perusing art in Kennett Square.

Wander in. You may find exactly what you did not know you were looking for.

Note: There are additional ways to support the store beyond visiting in person. Through Bookshop.org, readers can designate Forage Books as their local bookstore and ensure a portion of their online purchases directly benefits the shop. For audiobook listeners, Libro.fm offers a similar option, allowing customers to purchase audiobooks, much like Audible, while supporting independent bookstores. Shoppers can select Forage Books on both platforms and browse staff and community picks curated by the store.

For updates and more information, follow Forage Books on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583603774804 and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/foragebooksksq.