Deep thanks again to everyone who has supported the Frenchtown Bookshop's community event programming. We are writing with an update on the situation, and to tell you what you can do to help the Bookshop.

Update: 

The Bookshop received a Cease & Desist letter from the Zoning Officer in October 2023. 

Since then, we have worked with the Zoning Office to limit their ruling. The good news is that the Bookshop is now allowed to have author readings, poetry readings, and book club meetings, either indoors or outdoors. And, it can have other events, including concerts, indoors. However, the Zoning Office's position still is that outdoor concerts (or other events that do not involve the immediate sale of books) are forbidden. 

Zoning is only part of the picture, though. Separately, the Borough Council is considering regulating all outdoor events in Frenchtown. The Bookshop's complaining neighbor is asking the Council to prohibit all Bookshop outdoor events, including author readings and book club meetings. The Borough is also considering severe limits on all outdoor events in town, including a 60-decibel noise limit (quieter than ordinary conversation levels), cut-off times of 8PM on weekdays and 6PM on weekends, and a cap on the number of events. 

You can help. If you are in favor of outdoor concerts and author events, and are not in favor of restrictions on those events, you can send an email to the Borough Council at FrenchtownBoroClerk@yahoo.com or speak at the Council’s July 3 meeting at 7PM at Borough Hall, 29 Second Street, Frenchtown.  

The Bookshop's View:

The Bookshop outdoor concerts and author readings are a valuable addition to the Frenchtown area. Hundreds of people have enjoyed those events. Many nationally-known musicians have come to Frenchtown to perform in the Bookshop’s garden. The outdoor author readings have included Pulitzer finalists and National Book Award winners. 

Frenchtown, as an arts destination, should encourage music, literature, and poetry...not shut it down. If Frenchtown loses its appeal as an arts destination, visitors will go elsewhere.

Outdoor events are important. Gathering outdoors minimizes the risk of COVID, which is still a concern to many in our community. The garden is accessible to people who have trouble with stairs. 

We think that the outdoor setting is magical. The Bookshop has created a landscaped Reading Garden for the use of the reading public, with a fountain and a shady bower of elm trees. It allows people to gather with very reduced COVID concern. And, it's beautiful. 

Finally, the Bookshop’s outdoor events are quiet and respectful to our neighbors. We do only one concert per month (if weather allows), and only quiet concerts are presented outdoors (groups with drums or loud instruments are indoors). Author readings and book clubs are quiet events, even if a soft-spoken author needs a mic to be heard. 

So, here is our request. 

Request:

The Council pays close attention to public opinion and comment. They need to hear how important these outdoor events are, and how many people support these events. This is your town, and the Bookshop is your local family-owned bookstore.

Please consider lending your voice, either at the July 3 meeting or by email. We trust the judgment of the good people of the Borough Council; but, they need to know how important these events are to you and to so many others. We will be very grateful for your help on this. 

Thanks from Barbara, Helen, Scott, and the Bookshop family.