Welcome to...
Berkman Books
A Bookstore for the Senses
There is nothing like the sensation involved in handling a book and being in a bookstore.
There is the sound of a book to appreciate; the crack of the spine when a book is first
opened and that gentle swoosh of a book being leafed through. And the smell and feel
of a leather bound antiquarian book that has survived centuries. There is the pulpy whiff
and lightness of the mass market paperback to keep you company on your next trip.
Among the used books, there is the sight of a book that you always intended to read. As
shop owners there is the sound of a bookstore to appreciate. Be it the quiet of an early
morning as a customer or two sit with their cup of coffee and a book in meditative silence or the energy of a store full of people and
hearing someone exclaim, “Oh look at this neat book!” We really like that sound. Every day there is the smell of anticipating what new
book lay in wait to be discovered.
Where Did We Come From?
Over the last 10 years of visiting Fredericksburg, we always talked about opening our own shop and how Fredericksburg would be the
ideal place. David spent 20+ years selling books in independent, academic and big box settings. Lucy was ready to absorb the book
world with a special interest in children’s books. When it became a reality, it was just in time. Austin had grown rapidly and we were
ready to move on.
In September of 2006, we found a building that seemed to be the perfect fit.
It is an eclectic combination of new and old. For the next two months, we crafted our vision into reality and opened our doors in
December 2006. Ambience is certainly a primary consideration. We feel driven to create a quality independent bookstore against the
current of all those that closed. There is no town more uniquely qualified than Fredericksburg to support such a venture. And what a
unique community Fredericksburg is. It is a rich community of readers and authors. We could not have asked for a better foundation
on which to build.
So what is it that we have put together?
We are a bit unique in that we sell new, used, and antiquarian books under one roof. There are very few bookstores that do this
in the United States and hopefully we do all three well.
Bookselling has changed dramatically in the last 25 years and we feel that we are at an important tipping point. If you value
environment as much as the book you buy, we hope you will find our store. We want to remind people about the richness of the
sensation of surrounding yourself with books. To this end we have filled our rooms with comfortable chairs and keep the coffee hot
and fresh to encourage you to truly relax and stay awhile. We want to hear people’s stories about the books they care about.
Books are a symphony of sensation.
They are a sensation of touch, sight and smell. They are also the home of an endless stream of ideas. Books represent the imagination
in printed form. We hope to have the chance to share them with you.
Lucy Jennings and David Berkman
Owners, Berkman Books
416 East Main | Fredericksburg, Texas | 830.997.1535 | www.berkmanbooks.com
Woman
TEXAS
FREDERICKSBURG
11
www.fbgwoman.com