As a lonely little girl, I spent most of my days surrounded by the quiet comfort of my library and my church. I was allowed to walk up over the hill in our backyard and go to both places alone. I sang in the church choir on Sundays, and then on days they were open, I could be found tucked away in the stacks of books, surrounded by stories that took me where I wanted to go. When I wasn't reading stories, I was writing them. My best friends were my animals and the two older librarians, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Rose, who took me under their wings and taught me the ways of the library. My dad taught me about reading, and my church taught me about music and love. Through every chapter I read and every song I sang, I found pieces of who I wanted to be, even if it would take me 64 years to become her.
Those early days shaped who I am. Books, music, animals, and faith have carried me through every chapter of my life. I dreamed of having a little bookstore tucked away in the woods... a place where people could come find peace as I did as a child. A place where kindness mattered and where animals and people alike could find comfort and care. Today, that dream has a name... Bearly Hyde N' Cabin Used Books & Gifts. It's more than just a bookstore...it's my heart made visible.
When I finally decided to follow my heart, the pieces began to fall into place in ways I could've never imagined. We went from my husband's small woodworking business to a gift store with books, and then he told me to follow my heart, and it morphed into a bookstore with gifts. He never once waivered in his faith in my decision, even though reading is not his "thing." He began to expand the store and put the word out about what we were planning. The next thing we knew, the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Jones reached out to us and offered us Mr. Jones personal library. What an honor this was. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were amazing in their love of community and Mrs. Jones was a passionate supporter of Alley Cat Rescue in Alexandria Bay, a local cat rescue we continue to support through fundraising efforts and book sales. Not long after, we were blessed with another miracle--we were offered shelving from the old Hammond Library at a price we could afford. That's when I knew that this journey wasn't just mine--God was gently guiding me down this path.
At Bearly Hyde N' Cabin, every used book we sell helps support a bigger mission. We partner with pet rescues and local food pantries to help people feed their pets, because no one should ever have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding the animals they love, and by helping them, we help the pet rescues who are full to capacity and overwhelmed, by keeping pets out of shelters. The North Country Library System has also been a huge help in our mission by referring us to various libraries overwhelmed with books that were headed to landfills for recycling.
While I wish I had started this dream sooner or had the means to make it bigger with a cozy coffee bar and room to foster cats in-house, we are endlessly grateful for what it has become. Not only are we able to help animals, we have also been able to provide previously loved books to teachers and nursing homes, as well as send books overseas to troops and give out free books to children. Every kind word, every loyal customer, every friend, like my dear friend Rose, has helped us along the way and has turned my dream into a reality . Without all of you and the support and talent of my amazing husband, it wouldn't be possible to do what we do.
Bearly Hyde N' Cabin isn't just a store. It's a sanctuary for book lovers, animal lovers, and anyone who believes in the quiet magic of following your heart. It's where our customers become family and friends. It's also home to 12 amazingly talented local vendors who work hard to bring you amazing gift items. Thank you all for being part of this story, for supporting our mission, our vendors, and for helping keep love, kindness, and books alive in our little corner of the world! We love you all more than you can possibly know.
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