602 E Main Street, Hobart, NY 13788

The Hobart Book Village O.G. is for sale! This is the bookstore that helped start it all, opening its doors in 2005 and playing a foundational role in establishing Hobart as a destination for book lovers. After 20 years of ownership, the current owners are ready to retire and pass this special property along to its next energetic owner. Located along the river in the heart of Hobart, this distinctive three-story building overlooks the water and sits directly adjacent to a village park. Both the lower and middle floors feature decks overlooking the river, offering beautiful views and an especially memorable setting for a retail business or creative space. Originally constructed as a dye house for a wool mill located down the street, the mill burned in the mid-1800s. By 1860, the building had taken on a new life as a retail space. Over the years, it has been home to a variety of businesses, including a hardware store, meat market, post office, and clothing store in the 1970s, before eventually becoming the bookstore that helped launch the Hobart Book Village in 2005. The current owners have lovingly maintained and improved the property throughout their 20 years of ownership. Improvements include: Ramps providing accessible entrance to the building, Replacement of all windows, Updated lighting throughout, A new exterior staircase, A new hot water heater, River-facing decks on both the lower and middle floors, A newer metal roof. The property is in good condition and has been thoughtfully cared for, while still retaining the character and history that make it such a special part of Hobart. The building currently has one half bathroom, and a shower could be added relatively easily with the new hot water heater already in place. This is more than a commercial building -- it is a piece of the story of the Hobart Book Village. Their hope is that the building will continue as a bookstore, carrying on its unique legacy in the Book Village (the existing book inventory is available for purchase separately). However, the property could also make a wonderful retail shop, gallery, studio, or other business that complements and supports the Hobart Book Village.