Main Street Recommends

Eric Wilska, owner of Shaker Mill Books, has been in the book business since he was 24 years old. Previously founding and owning the Bookloft in Great Barrington, MA, for 42 years, and launching a mostly internet-driven offshoot called Found at the Bookloft in West Stockbridge, MA—in addition to a used bookstore called Running Fence Books in Pittsfield, MA—Eric has long been interested in used and unusual books. 

It was a natural progression, then, that when the barn and historic mill located at West Stockbridge’s 3 Depot Street went up for sale, Eric took the opportunity in 2012 to create another unique book enterprise.

All about Shaker Mill Books

The building where the year-round bookstore is located previously housed many businesses over time, including a kitchen display store; this configuration actually lent itself quite well to a bookstore layout later on. With a wooden floor and carpeted areas, Eric explains that its many alcoves and areas have been perfect for book presentation and storage. Other than installing a support beam and finishing the interior, he adds, the space is exactly the same as it was before. 

Now, according to the store’s history, Shaker Mill Books “boasts an eclectic collection of over 30,000 books: used, rare, antiquarian, out-of-print and some new.” As Eric points out, they carry specific kinds of books more than others, particularly because certain genres can become faddish or get dated too quickly, like business, health, and childcare. 

For this reason, and for the sake of space, Shaker Mill Books has a remarkable collection of books on travel, art and architecture, photography, textiles, gardening, and cooking, to name a few of the major and well-loved categories. They also carry certain history books that people tend to seek out. “After 45 years,” says Eric, “you get good at knowing what people like.”

Eric appreciates an emphasis on used rather than new books, though, because after more than four decades, he no longer prioritizes keeping up with new titles or organizing large events in his space. Reflecting on how he would define Shaker Mill Books, Eric states that it’s a place where you could find a $7 or $500 Kurt Vonnegut. “It’s a different animal.”

Indeed, the changing book market is to thank for this transition, too. He describes how since the pandemic, more and more people are on the move, including the generations of people who wanted books in their library. Now, readers care less about keeping their books, so a lot of this old, unusual, and rare literature is coming his way. Fortunately, between the help of the internet as a key tool and a warehouse he keeps in Housatonic, MA, Eric has been able to accumulate a truly awe-inspiring plethora of used books.

Exploring the historic mill

In the more whimsical part of the store, the adjacent mill, visitors can find an enchanting array of books and artwork accessible during the summer season. Eric points out that in the beginning, the mill required a lot of repairs, including a new roof and wiring. “It can still use a lot of work, but it’s shored up and dry,” he notes. The goal in the restoration, then, was to preserve the space without detracting from the funky, rustic essence of the mill, along with all the history that comes with it.

As the store’s site outlines, following the repairs, the mill “evolved from a convenient storage place for not-yet-shelved books into a wonder-filled display space that almost defies description,” showcasing an arrangement of literature featuring distinctively eye-catching sizes, bindings, and illustrations. And unlike the store in the barn, which has a neater presentation, the mill has maintained an intentionally playful vibe open to peruse and, at times, interact with.

The mill’s central attractions are undoubtedly its stunning book stacks and structures, which Eric describes as “unpolished” arrangements drawing upon a process akin to stonemasonry. This “primitive folk art,” as Eric puts it, is constantly evolving and leaving room for the imagination to run wild. Current book constructions include a doghouse, checkout counter (which Eric constructed with his son-in-law, Anthony D’aniello), and dentist chair, all crafted from books and book materials. Deb Carter, a local artist, even created “The Read Dress” being shown, which is made out of Oxford English Dictionary pages arranged in beautiful blossoms of paper to mimic a gown’s shape.

These artfully eccentric displays also include Eric’s typewriter collection. “What has appealed to me about the mill,” Eric explains, “and it’s a pleasant surprise, is that people say, ‘I can tell that this is a labor of love for you.’”

A true community fixture

On the main drag, and with bustling businesses like Six Depot Roastery and Cafe right down the street, Eric appreciates how the location and novel (no pun intended!) nature of the store draws people from near and far to visit Shaker Mill Books. “It’s kind of a hit. People walk in and say, ‘Wow, this is our favorite new place in the Berkshires.’”

Indeed, he observes that some people seek out his store, making stops into Shaker Mill Books on their way from far upstate New York en route to the Cape or other destinations. Eric also recognizes the number of grateful locals and repeat visitors, in addition to the newcomers who discover the shop. Additionally, showing children that books can be fun and cool through the engaging book displays and themed installations has been a huge part of their role as a business.

Eric says he could not do what he does without Lauren, an “incredibly gifted bookseller,” who works industriously at the store. Previously a librarian, now Lauren applies her vast book knowledge to Shaker Mill Books. “She has her own loyal following here,” Eric mentions.

Thus, Shaker Mill Books has a strong relationship with the surrounding community, and Eric is proud to be a part of what he’s dubbed a “small renaissance in West Stockbridge.” He says, thankfully, “People are very grateful that we’re here.”

Keeping in mind the total impact

It’s extremely important to Eric that Shaker Mill has a positive effect on not just the local community, but in general: recently, after learning about the store’s carbon footprint, Eric dedicated himself to decarbonizing Shaker Mill Books, replacing the shop’s older, oil-burning furnace with an electric heat pump that’s powered by a solar array on the roof. 

In the long-term, Eric is striving to make his bookshop a Net Zero Energy business, with more environmentally conscious additions coming soon. He candidly states in his “We’ve Gone Green!” letter to customers on the site’s homepage, “I won’t lie to you—this is a heavy lift for a small store like us, but I am confident that this is both the right thing to do for the planet and the right thing to do for the financial future of our store.” The truly inspiring motivations behind Shaker Mill Books are only underscored by these ecological considerations and sustainability measures. 

All in all, Eric loves Shaker Mill Books. He feels incredibly fortunate to have a spouse who appreciates the endeavor, and the ability to keep working and doing what he loves in the presence of all his amazing books. When it comes to future plans, Eric knows one thing for sure. “I will continue as long as I can.”

Photos courtesy of Shaker Mill Books. To learn more about Shaker Mill Books, you can visit their website here! To get in contact, you can reach out at shakerb@verizon.net or give them a call at (413) 232-0251. Most importantly, stop by and explore Shaker Mill Books, located at 3 Depot St. in West Stockbridge, MA!