Salamander Books & Music, offering used books, music, and gear, will move into a new storefront at 701 Cumberland St., Lebanon, from its previous location in Palmyra. The move is scheduled for June 1.
The bookstore, originally based in Baltimore, is owned and operated by Michael Cantor.
“We needed a larger space to be able to expand our business and host events,” Cantor explained in a phone interview with LebTown. He estimated that the new location is about 50% larger than the storefront in Palmyra.
Cantor moved to the Lebanon area and opened the store first in Annville in 2020. In 2021, the store relocated to Palmyra. Now, in downtown Lebanon, Cantor hopes to fulfill the potential of the business and the space it occupies.
“There’s a lot more complementary businesses down here,” Cantor continued. Aside from restaurants, markets, service businesses, and specialty shops, the new store inside the 701 Business Center on Cumberland Street is a neighbor to the new offices of City Hall inside the HACC campus building next door. (HACC will continue to operate on the upper floors.)
Read More: Sale of HACC downtown building to City of Lebanon is complete
Cantor hopes that the location will draw more walk-in traffic. Once inside, customers can expect to find a unique selection of used books from a wide range of genres, including science fiction, philosophy, religion, history, and more. Vinyl records, CDs, and music gear are also store staples, and visitors can bring in books and items of their own to be sold or traded.
Beyond the buying and selling of books and other items, Cantor hopes to use the new space as a gathering spot. Part of the shop is planned to be used as a space for readings, social clubs, and other similar events.
Cantor had previously hosted an arts and music-focused social group at the Allen Theatre in Annville and plans to begin hosting again in the store with a new focus on philosophical discussion.
Those interested may find more information on the Salamander Facebook page or by contacting Cantor at info@salamanderbooks.net.
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