A conversation with Gary and Kim Cashman, of BellaBooks

What is the history of your bookstore?

Kim and I started BellaBooks in Virginia in 2009. While on vacation, Kim, who is originally from Maine, and I fell in love with Belfast and decided to relocate our store here. Even at an early age, Kim always dreamed of owning a bookstore. For me, I just love anything that has to do with history: Renaissance fighter, Civil War reenactor, New England farmer...if it's history, count me in!

How is BellaBooks unique or different from other bookstores?

People love the way we mix books and antiques. We both love the design, craftsmanship, and quality of antiques, and love incorporating those elements into our store.

We also offer a special family membership program. For only $10.00, customers can get a one-year membership, which gives them 15 percent off all books, including used books, and antiques, and 25 percent off of any new book or book order. You can also get 35 percent off of our "Book-of-the-Fortnight"'which is a book that we highlight in the store every two weeks. We know of no other bookstore offering all of that.

What parts of you business are you most proud of?

We are proud of the selection of new and used books that we offer, as well as the compliments that we consistently receive from customers about what a fun store it is with great ambiance and an artful display of antiques.

What books do you like to read?

Kim reads literary fiction and poetry, while I enjoy nonfiction and history.

What do you enjoy most about book selling?

We've always dreamed of having a bookstore with antiques, but it turns out that meeting and talking to interesting people, well, it's a total blast.