Beverly Storefront Opens New Chapter

BEVERLY, MA – The opening of the bookstore attached to Atomic Cafe has been nearly two years in the making. Ever since Casa de Moda – the specialty gift store on Cabot Street – closed in 2014, that section of the store has appeared empty.

But behind the window, John Hugo of Hugo Bookstores and crew were working away: ordering titles, collaborating with former Casa de Moda owners, and changing what used to be the homewares section into a new local bookstore.

"People seem to love it," Hugo told Patch last week after the soft opening. He said they ran out of 500 pieces of candy at Thursday's downtown trick or treating event.

Books are still being delivered, but the store is open for business. Hugo said they are using some of the same vendors that Casa de Moda used to use to fill the giftshop niche. Cabot Street Books & Cards sells cards, gift wrapping materials, Beverly gear, and various gifts in addition to books.

The door had half a dozen customers browsing titles on Friday, and shoppers repeatedly told Hugo how happy they were that the store was finally open.

"Now that it's open it's great," he said. "It's just nice to see people appreciate it and be really happy to have us here."

Hugo's staff pick is psychological thriller "Crow Girl," by Eric Axl Sund, and Tana French's "The Trespasser." Another staffer's pick is "Commonwealth," by Ann Patchett.

The hours are tentatively Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., but since this is a soft opening the hours are subject to change. Check for updates on the store's Facebook page.

There is still one section of the old Casa de Moda storefront that needs to be filled: Readers, what would you like to see next to the bookstore?

Photos via Taylor Rapalyea