Letters

I am writing this having just read that Canio’s bookstore in Sag Harbor may be forced to move [“Canio’s Books, Long a Sag Harbor Cultural Icon, Faces Uncertain Future as Lease Is Not Renewed,” 27east.com, March 20]. This would deal a massive blow to the cultural life of the town, and to the many residents who have come to rely on this literary hub for its thoughtfully curated selection of new and used books, and its slate of vibrant events.

During the depths of the pandemic, Canio’s provided a lifeline for my family — suddenly all living under one roof in Wainscott — and countless others throughout Long Island. Without the escapism and joy that the books we collected (contactless!) outside of the shop provided, there would have been a lot more strife in our home.

But Maryann Calendrille and Kathryn Szoka time and again set us up with delightful diversions, books that took us all around the globe, and all throughout history, at a time when our world felt so confined, and venturing even to the grocery store was fraught with fear.

Now, popping in to chat with Maryann and Kathryn is an essential stop on any trip to town, and I can’t say that I’ve ever left without picking up at least one fabulous book.

I urge the readers of this paper, and the people of this town, to use their collective resources to help find a way to preserve the beloved institution that is Canio’s.

Emma Allen

Wainscott