Northshire Bookstore Celebrates 10th Anniversary in Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Northshire Bookstore celebrated 10 years in Saratoga Springs on Friday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

At the ceremony, Mayor Ron Kim read a proclamation declaring Aug. 4 to be ‘Northshire Bookstore Day.’

Northshire initially opened in Saratoga Springs on Aug. 4, 2013, expanding from its first location in Manchester, Vermont. The store is currently owned by three sisters; Nicole Ihasz, Cathleen Ihasz, and Ashley Ihasz-Austin. 

The sisters are natives of Manchester, with Nicole Ihasz saying they visited Northshire Bookstore often as kids. She said it is meaningful to “continue the legacy” of the store.

“We grew up in Manchester. So the Northshire store, I feel like we grew up in that store,” said Nicole Ihasz. “What the Morrows created is a cultural center for the town. It’s the heartbeat of the town, it’s a community center.”

Northshire’s Manchester location was originally opened in 1976 by Ed and Barbara Morrow. After the Morrows retired, the store was operated by Clark and Lu French, before the Ihasz sisters acquired Northshire following the passing of Lu French in 2022, the company’s website states.

Nicole Ihasz said the decision to purchase Northshire was ‘a no-brainer.’ 

“We’re so glad we did it,” she said. “We had tremendous support from Clark French and from the Morrow family as we made this transition. As I said, we have the most brilliant staff. We’re so lucky.”

Ihasz credited the store’s staff for their work, saying their time operating Northshire has been enjoyable.

“It’s really been a great experience. I am a huge reader, so I just love being in these spaces,” said Nicole Ihasz. “As I said, I feel like I grew up in the store, so it’s really fun for me to interact with our team, but also interact with our customers, and talk to them about books.”