Saturday, April 26, was Independent Bookstore Day, and Ellenville's own independent bookstore, The Common Good, located at 119 Canal Street, was celebrating. Their tagline is “Purveyors of Fine Books, Gifts, Drinks, and Conversation”, and it couldn't be more true.

It was raining outside, but you wouldn't know that walking into the store. The atmosphere was light and jovial. Music was playing, and the smells of food and clean paper filled the room. The owner, Matthew Goldman, greeted everyone who comes in the door, and recognized this reporter even as he was preparing food and drink for other guests.

That word “guests” rather than “customers” is very intentional.

“The community space is very intentional,” Goldman said. “The way we approach our guests is intentional. It's not just a commercial exchange. It's not necessarily just money generating.”

A store like this, Goldman went on to say, is more than just a commercial space, it's “a culmination of all my personal and professional interests. The dreams inside these walls are my dreams, and I've never been as happy before as I am in this space.”

That much is evident to anyone who comes into The Common Good. Goldman, who is bright and personable, seems more than happy to talk with anyone. It's not that he's trying to convince you to buy food so he can make a sale, he genuinely wants you to have something to eat. He's not trying to pressure you into getting a drink, he wants to give you something you'll enjoy. He's not just trying to sell you a book, he's trying to find something you'll be excited to read, and sharing his excitement with you.

“I don't think people understand just how many books come out every week. And I don't think they understand how curated this space is. We don't have every book,” he admits, “but every book we have, we're excited about.”

Independent Bookstore Day is a nationwide event celebrated by more than 1,600 locations across the country. The idea is that it’s sort of a big party, distributed among the book world. But it’s tough out there. Amazon and Barnes & Noble both held big sales on books over the weekend.

An independent bookstore, at its best, is a hub of learning, of stories, and of community. Like many small businesses, there's a very human element in them.

“It's about an art,” Goldman said, “a history, a profound belief that the stories we tell matter. The stories we tell our children, the stories we don't tell, they have the power to shape the world.”

Goldman said that the store was “slammed” throughout the day. It wound up their biggest day since opening last October. He offered a lot of thanks during the celebration – to his staff (Beatrice, Ellie, Kalia, Julie, and Lisa), and to his patrons.

“You are the reason we're here,” he said. “You keep us here. So, thank you.”