All My Friends Books held a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration on July 30 for its second store, at 3 E. Genesee St. in Skaneateles, N.Y. The bookseller opened its first location last year on Main St. in Cortland.
"Skaneateles, you really showed up," co-owner Haley Flannery posted on social media. "We're still riding the high from our opening weekend. Thank you to everyone who came to the ribbon cutting, brought friends, shared the news, and welcomed us so warmly to town. And, because yesterday happened to be my birthday, I have to say... seeing this much excitement and love for our new store was a pretty incredible birthday present. We're so happy to be here."
In June, Flannery told the Cortland Standard that the second location and expansion were possible because of the reliable staff and the immensely positive community response All My Friends Books had received in Cortland. That support, combined with the connections she has made with other community agencies, inspired the confidence to expand operations into a new market.
"I'm most excited to bring to Skaneateles the same spirit we've brought to Cortland," she said. "Which is to share books in community with other readers, to spread joy through reading and to really spark discovery with our curated selection. It's been wonderful to do that here and I'm excited to do that with a new customer base."