There is something fitting about a used bookshop opening in a historic downtown building: a place where old stories find new readers, and where a familiar space begins a new chapter of its own.
That is exactly what Bjarni Brown and her husband, Dave Witting, have created in Skowhegan with Bookish, a bright and inviting used bookstore located in the front of a building the couple purchased and renovated extensively. In the back, Dave runs Comic Shop News, a weekly print and digital newsletter serving comic book fans and retailers.
Inside Bookish, visitors will find a small but varied selection of used books across genres, along with knickknacks, stickers, mugs, and totes. The totes proudly say “Skowhegan,” a simple but meaningful nod to the town where Bjarni and Dave chose to invest.
The shop also reflects the couple’s personality. Dave’s collection of vintage arcade games, including Crystal Castles and Spy Hunter, adds a playful sense of nostalgia to the space. Visitors will also spot a custom-made miniature of Bernard Langlais’ Skowhegan Indian sculpture, built from LEGO and displayed in a glass case.
For now, Bjarni says the shelves reflect her own reading tastes. But like any good neighborhood bookshop, Bookish is expected to evolve with its customers.
“I started with books I like,” Bjarni said. “But once I get a better sense of what people are looking for and what our customers are excited about, I’ll expand from there.”
Choosing Skowhegan
Bjarni grew up in Kingfield and still has family in the area, so Skowhegan’s location was part of the draw. But proximity to family was only one piece of the decision. The couple was also attracted to the visible momentum taking place in town.
Across Skowhegan, long-term investments in local businesses, outdoor recreation, arts, food, and community events have helped create a sense that something is happening here.
“When you see companies like New Balance and Maine Grains investing in a place the way they have, it makes the town’s potential feel limitless,” Bjarni said. “Who wouldn’t want to be part of that excitement?”
That excitement has been reflected in the response from local residents, too. Bjarni describes the Skowhegan vibe as warm and inviting, and says people have gone out of their way to express how happy they are to see a new business open.
“People have been so welcoming,” she said. “They’re excited to see something new, and they’ve wished us well from the beginning.”
A Bookshop with a Local Rhythm
Bookish is not open daily. Instead, the shop currently keeps a more occasional schedule, opening two weekends each month. Bjarni and Dave plan to align their hours with major Skowhegan events such as Skowhegan Log Days and the Skowhegan Craft Brew Festival, while also trying to coordinate with the Skowhegan Farmers’ Market.
Visitors can check the shop’s monthly schedule in a charmingly analog way: a typewriter displayed in the front window lists the month’s hours. Bookish also posts its schedule on Instagram at @bookishbjarni.
The sporadic hours give the shop a sense of discovery. It is the kind of place people can plan to visit during a trip downtown, while attending an event, or while spending a Saturday exploring Skowhegan.
Part of a Growing Creative Community
Bjarni is also excited about the opportunity to collaborate with other local businesses and cultural spaces. As more creative entrepreneurs invest in Skowhegan, she sees opportunities for shared energy, cross-promotion, and community-building.
“I just saw that River Roads Artisan Gallery is hosting one of my favorite authors,” Bjarni said. “I was like, ‘That’s so exciting. I have all his books, and he’s coming right to my backyard!’”
That kind of reaction speaks to what makes small-town business growth so meaningful. A bookstore is not just a place to buy books. It can become part of a larger network of artists, makers, readers, entrepreneurs, residents, and visitors who help shape a community’s identity.
Skowhegan’s Next Chapter
Bookish has opened at a time when Skowhegan’s momentum shows no signs of slowing.
With construction beginning on the Skowhegan River Park, seasonal events bringing people into town throughout the year, an expanded hiking trail network, and continued investment from businesses and community partners, Skowhegan is becoming an increasingly compelling place to visit, live, and do business.
For Bjarni and Dave, that momentum made Skowhegan feel like the right place to begin this next chapter.
And for readers, neighbors, and visitors, Bookish offers another reason to stop in, browse the shelves, admire the details, to see what’s unfolding in Skowhegan.
Visit Bookish:
14 Madison Ave.,
Skowhegan, Maine
Instagram: @BookishBjarni
Website: https://bookshop.org/shop/bookishbjarni
