New Writing Center in Riverhead Could Open By September

A new bookstore and writing center planned for downtown Riverhead has created a buzz -- with authors and residents alike reaching to owner Wendy Yusin to embrace the new business, which could be ope as soon as September.

Yusin said this week that her dream for might become reality within just a few months -- a tentative timeline has the new business slated to open as soon as September or October. "That's my wish," Yusin said.

Yusin has purchased the old Suffolk Trust Building, located at 8 East Main St, in downtown Riverhead, for a place for aspiring authors to not only write, but marry traditional publishing with emerging digital technologies. 

“It will be the bookshop and writing center for the writers of today,” she said.

Currently, Yusin is working on plans to renovate the building.

Since news broke about Yusin's plan, authors and residents have reached out to applaud her idea for a book store that would embrace today's emerging publishing technology, incuding ebooks, Kindles, audio books, and digital efforts, as well as traditional books.

"That is so encouraging," Yusin said, of the outpouring of public support. "To hear that, makes me want to do it even more."

Writers from across the United States have reached out to Yusin. "I wish her every success with her endeavor and will definitely become a customer," wrote Margaret Carroll, a Michigan based author who has family in Riverhead and visits each summer.

Anthony Pomes, a vice president with Square One Publishers in New Hyde Park, expressed his enthusiasm for the project in an email, especially during a time when there are few independent bookstores on Long Island -- especially new ones.

Local authors including Janet Berg have also reached out to Yusin, invigorated by her vision and eager to share ideas.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said he is "very excited" about Yusin's business, one that could serve to bring scores of new faces in town, creating a chain effect as new business owners could potentially decide to invest in the area.

"This adds another layer of poeple that will touch Riverhead," Walter said. Walter also said the closing of had some shaking their heads at the demise of traditional bookstores -- but Yusin's new store, he added, would serve as a small, niche bookstore that will provide something traditional corporate settings didn't offer, despite attempts to create a "down home" feel.

"I'm excited by people willing to invest in downtown," Walter said.

A forensic accountant and teacher by trade, Yusin, who has long harbored a passion for writing, hopes to create a place to nurture emerging authors.

"I am looking forward to being a voice for the writer and for the arts," Yusin said. "I hope the development of the book shoppe and writing centre becomes a haven for expression and support to anyone interested in the art of writing."

She added that from the teaching and professional perspective, "I believe that letters are universal and the act of writing can be so powerful in expressing ourselves by providing the opportunity for growth."

Yusin, who volunteers for Literacy of Suffolk, said watching those from other countries try to learn the language, "to struggle with the determination to learn English, is very humbling. We have such a gift in understanding English as a language and we need to preserve the art of writing for everyone globally," she said.

Architect Heather Brin has teamed up with Yusin to renovate the building. A vault inside the former financial institution could the the ideal place to record audiobooks, since it is soundproof, Yusin said.

The first phase of the project will include the book shop and writing center, Yusin said, with future phases to possibly include a yoga studio, pottery kiln, and readings of new works by local playwrights. It's a vision, she said, "that will grow."