Worthwhile Reads: Bristol's new beloved bookstore hosts Holiday Book Sale

WorthWhile Reads, a used bookstore in Bristol that began selling books online in 2021, has quickly transformed into a local treasure.

The shop opened its doors in the summer of 2023 at the Center Street factory, near the The New Cambridge Project microbrewery on the hill. What started as a high school student’s love for collecting books has grown into one of Connecticut’s most exciting literary ventures.

Holiday Book Sale this Saturday!

This Saturday, December 21, WorthWhile Reads will host a special Holiday Book Sale from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Customers can bring old books to trade for instant credit, thanks to the store’s efficient software.

“You can get credit processed in just minutes and use it immediately to buy gifts or new books,” said Erik Kryzanski, founder and manager of WorthWhile Reads.

The sale will feature discounts like 50% off general fiction and antiquarian books, including pre-1950s items such as antique Bibles and sheet music.

“We price everything lower than online marketplaces to guarantee the best deals,” he said.

Red bins with books for sale at Worthwhile reads

Rows of books of popular authors on shelf

Welcome sign for bookstore and book trade room

The shop is located at 1 Richmond Place, Bristol, CT. Visitors can get lost in the stacks hunting for treasures stored within 5,000 square feet, but don’t get lost getting there. Keep an eye out for the “Book Sale” yard sign outside the fenced parking area.

Erik Kryzanski, 26, has always had a passion for books, and he has been collecting them since high school. After graduating from nursing school in 2021, he worked full-time as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford while building his online bookshop.

Over the next three years, he transformed his passion into a thriving business, opening the physical store and gradually transitioning to managing the bookstore full-time.

“I’ve loved to read and wanted to start a business since I was young,” said Kryzanski. “This bookstore is my realization of that dream.”

The early days of the shop were marked by challenges.

“At first, nothing was in order,” Kryzanski recalled. “Customers and volunteer book lovers offered feedback and even helped organize. They said, ‘What if we come and organize your store?’ I was happy to let them take as many free books as they wanted in exchange for their help.”

That spirit of community has fueled the bookstore’s rapid growth. What started as a volunteer-run operation now boasts two part-time and four full-time employees, alongside two dedicated volunteers who assist with sorting and shelving.

“We’ve made huge improvements this past year,” Kryzanski said. One of those improvements is a custom-designed inventory software that Kryzanski and his brother developed. “It allows us to track every single book and scan it into the system. Customers can trade in books and receive credit in just 5 to 10 minutes while they hunt for their next read.”

The software also powers the store’s website, where customers can create wish lists for books they’re seeking. “It took us about eight months to develop,” said Kryzanski. “I’m most excited about how it’s streamlined everything for us and for our customers.”

With a collection of over 30,000 books spanning more than 40 genres, WorthWhile Reads offers something for everyone. Popular sections include romance, fantasy, science fiction, history, biography, and cookbooks. Niche genres such as true crime, art, architecture, history, and vintage children’s books are also available.

Looking ahead, Kryzanski has ambitious plans for WorthWhile Reads. “I want this to be the largest used bookstore in the state,” he said. “I’m always on the lookout for larger spaces in Central Connecticut to accommodate our growing collection.”

He is also in the planning stages of partnering with the neighboring New Cambridge Project microbrewery to host a cozy book club in their inviting space, complete with a fireplace and the added bonus of locally brewed beer.

“It’s not just a used bookstore,” he said. “We create an experience, it’s like a treasure hunt that keeps our customers coming back.”

The shop opens for book sales one day every one to two weeks, announced with photos of new arrivals on Facebook. For updates on events and new arrivals, follow WorthWhile Reads on Facebook or subscribe to their email list via their Website.

With its innovative approach and commitment to community, WorthWhile Reads is establishing itself as a beloved part of Bristol’s cultural scene and a worthwhile Bristol experience.

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