Owl & Turtle Bookshop

A mainstay on or near Main Street since 1970, the Owl & Turtle originally opened as a bookshop motel. The motel is long gone, and the shop is now back on Bay View Street, where it all began. The addition of a buzzing café makes it the go-to spot for browsing books and for enjoying coffee with friends. 

Current owners, Christin and Brad Madeira purchased the business in May of 2021 and said one of their best decisions was keeping the popular barista Dave, who has a strong and loyal following. “He’s like a daytime bartender,” Brad says with a laugh. “The café has really turned into a destination. The space is pretty small, but we max it out!” It also features scrumptious locally made baked goods – so get there early!

 “It was great to pick up something that had been so well cared for,” Brad says. “Every owner puts their own spin on it. We’ve kept it very similar to the previous owners. It was less daunting than starting from scratch!”

With Brad’s business background and Christin’s years as a preschool teacher, the couple is well-suited to run the shop. “I love the children’s book section especially, and cooking is a hobby, so that was appealing too,” Christin says.

Some 6,300 unique titles fill the two-story shop, and the couple emphasizes Maine authors and children’s books, which are popular with locals and visitors. Fiction, of course, is essential for a business that attracts so many vacationers. 

Brad and Christin believe that curating is a local thing and that a community consciousness helps guide them when making book choices. “Customers are a huge part of what we stock and sell here,” Brad reflects. Independent bookshops have a special place in people’s hearts, and the Owl & Turtle is no different. Devoted local customers keep the store bustling through the long Maine winter. As Christin noted, “Coming into the shop is nostalgic for a lot of people… books are cozy!”

And the unique name? It’s a constant question heard from customers. The original owners named the shop after two beloved regional spots, Owl’s Head and Turtle’s Head, although it has the ring of a delightful children’s book.

With its five-decade history, the Owl & Turtle seems here to stay. As Brad said, “We feel like we’re carrying the torch — this place will be here long after we’re gone.”

FAMOUS FOR:
Carrying Maine authors — and being a cozy spot to hang out and read or get some work done.

ADDRESS:
33 Bay View Street in Camden, Maine

HOURS:
Tues through Sat: 9am-4p

WEBSITE:
owlandturtle.com/

photos by Marina French
written by Lisa Utman Randall