Diane, Bookseller and Co-Owner
I think there’s a lot about this world that we don’t understand, like the afterlife or how bread becomes toast.
Dave, Bookseller and Co-Owner
Along with Diane, Dave is a co-founder and co-owner of Little Shop. Among other things, Dave pays the bills here and runs the Poetry & Wine group.
(the other) Diane, Bookseller
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.”
A.A. Milne
Diane enjoys playing gin and can tell you how to get to Sesame Street. Diane lived on the island of Sodor but became bored with retirement. So she came to work at Little Shop. We’re so happy she did!
Hannah Hyde, Bookseller and Muse
Oh, what a sweet child is Hannah Hyde
Oh how thoughtful, oh, how nice,
To buy a hat with a brim so wide,
It gives shade to all the frogs
And the worms and the mice.
—Shel Silverstein
In addition to providing shelter for small creatures in the form of absurd headgear, you can find Hannah tidying the shelves, thumbing through the latest mystery novels, and attempting to navigate the beginning stages of her audiobook narration career.
Heather, Bookseller and School Coordinator Person
Heather's biggest regret in life can be summed up in five words:
"Assistant beekeeper wanted. Will train."
Jason, Bookseller and Superhero
Sometimes student, sometimes scientist and sometimes photographer, Jason Smith is a full-time super hero better known as the web-slinging and wall-crawling Spider-Man. As an orphaned child, Jason was raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. At a science expo, Jason was bitten by an errant radioactive spider which granted him an array of arachnid powers.
Justin, Bookseller and Store Manager
Does not like green eggs and ham, Sam-I-Am. Not in a box, not with a fox, not in a house, not with a mouse. He would not eat them here or there, he would not eat them anywhere. Justin Colussy-Estes would categorically not eat green eggs an ham, Sam-I-Am. They’re probably filled with dye, or are riddled with salmonella, or something. Justin eats a salad if he wants something green, thank you.
Karen, Bookseller, Inventory Master, and Keeper of the Glitter
Karen has worked at Books A Million, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Chester County Book & Music Co., Square Books and has finally landed at Little Shop of Stories! She no longer has space in her life for pants without pockets, pens that only sorta work, nor checking to make sure her socks match.
Lindsey, Bookseller
It could be a penny on the street, a random crow, a fox, or a #2 pencil; Lindsey will somehow find a way to say "Oh! That reminds me of that book I love!". Whenever she's participating in one of those "get to know you" games, the first thing she always says (very enthusiastically) is: "I WORK AT A BOOKSTORE ''. She thinks this gives people a good picture of who she is as a person.
She absolutely loves reading, especially when she gets to meet people who enjoy it as much as she does. Speaking of enjoying things, if you happen to discover Lindsey's favorite books, shows/movies, actors, singers, hobbies, or anything else that she could possibly get obsessed with; just know that the second you mention any of these things...she will not stop talking. You've been warned! :)
Mark, Storyteller and Author
Occasionally, Little Shop of Stories is graced with the presence of famous authors. Sometimes, they are no longer alive, and wearing a sharp pair of slacks.
Matilda, Bookseller and Weekend Manager
“‘Do you think that all children’s books ought to have funny bits in them?’ Miss Honey asked.
‘I do,’ Matilda said. ‘Children are not so serious as grown-ups and love to laugh.’”
- Roald Dahl, Matilda
In addition to funny books, Matilda also loves mysteries, sci-fi/fantasy novels, contemporary fiction, and the occasional nonfiction book. She grew up at Little Shop and is full of half-remembered Shop trivia.
Sunny, Bookseller and Director of Bookfairs
Sunny loves to read: picture books (all of them), true crime stories, magical realism but NOT fantasy, anything to do with religious cults or extremists, and gut wrenching star-crossed lover stories. She occasionally dips her toe into sad but true middle grade, but only when she is feeling particularly vulnerable. When not not reading, Sunny can be found singing whatever song happens to be trapped in her brain at the moment.
Sydney, Bookseller and Event Coordinator
Sydney is still figuring out how to be a pirate captain (or at least a captive) in the 21st century, but until that day comes she enjoys drinking abhorrent amounts of coffee, gardening, staring wistfully out of windows, reading fantasy/romances/fantasy-
Teena, The Most Part-Time of All Booksellers
Teena likes a lot of things: children, books, pickles, yoga, songs from the 80s and 90s, and vanilla ice cream. She does not like olives or her daughter's cat. Even though she has a grown up job, selling books at the Little Shop is her most favorite thing of all.
Kristen, Bookseller
From a young age, Kristen revelled in art, storytelling, and other people. As an "adult," these interests still plague her, having manifested into passions for acting, writing, reading, singing, and participating in the-opposite-of-small-talk conversations with people she knows (and those she doesn't).
On days when she has a little extra pocket change, you'll find Kristen with a $6 matcha in hand, happy to talk about any books or films she loves. (This includes tales concerning coastal romances, small-town coming-of-age experiences, or women coming into their own in fantastical, magical lands.)