NOVEL WARES Monique Bossert, owner of Monique’s Book Boutique in White Sulphur Springs, is joined by her granddaughter Bailey and coworker Zora behind the shop’s front desk. Art Steinhauer photo

The shop that grew from a passion for books

A big bookstore in a small hamlet

By Erick Slattery | Manor Ink

White Sulphur Springs, NY – This town is a small community with loads of potential. People and places add a spark to the area. Monique Bossert, owner of Monique’s Book Boutique which opened in late summer of 2007, has created a shop that is a charming asset to the hamlet.

Bossert is usually accompanied in the Boutique by her two dogs, Zora and Prince. Her shop offers a wide variety of used books with an open space to read as well as browse. The store has many varieties of literature, ranging from children’s storytime books to adult murder mysteries, science fiction, romance and other genres.

CORNER LOCATION Monique’s Book Boutique on Rte. 52 in White Sulphur Springs. Manor Ink photo

Bossert was originally from Greenville in Greene County, where she first worked in retail at The Arc, the organization that provides disability services. She then went on to manage a gas station in Woodbourne, where she met her husband, and moved to Liberty in 1992.

Bossert has always had a passion for books. While she was working in retail, she would sell her old books on eBay, pursuing what she says was “a portion of my dream of opening a book shop.” Luckily for her, when she happened to lose her job due to downsizing, the Boutique was a birthday gift from her husband – along with a puppy which would later become her first dog in the store. At one point she had as many as five dogs “working” with her.

What Monique finds most enjoyable about her work is seeing the faces of frequent customers and helping them find books that interest them. “I have a lot of regular customers, I’ve had some of them since I’ve opened,” she said. “I like meeting new people and I also like recommending books for people who can’t find a book for themselves anywhere else.”

“I also like recommending books for people who can’t find a book for themselves anywhere else.”
— Monique Bossert, Monique’s Book Boutique

She was quite adamant about the joy of being able to help people by contributing to their literary pleasure. People of all ages come into the shop, excited to explore the shelves of thousands of books. “Adults, children, teens all still come in which amazes me,” Bossert said.

The bookstore owner also crochets in her spare time as a hobby. She has crocheted all types of things, such as potholders and blankets that she sells at the shop. Up until a few years ago, she also made her own jams. Those talents augment her pleasure in bringing the enjoyment of reading to her patrons.

As a child, Bossert’s favorite book was Doodlebug by Irene Brady. These days, her favorite books are Envy by Sandra Brown and Divine Evil by Nora Roberts. Her current favorite author is murder-mystery writer Karen Rose; she has collected and read most of Rose’s novels. “I have not read one bad book by Karen Rose,” she said.

I shop there myself frequently. If you’re a reader, and if you visit the shop yourself, I am confident you will not be disappointed.

Monique’s Book Boutique