Tudor Bookshop & Cafe
651 Wyoming Ave. Kingston, PA 18704
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(570) 288-9697
tudorbk @ epix.net
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Beginnings...

The Tudor Bookshop & Cafe celebrated its 30th Anniversary of independent book selling and more in November 2006. Founded in 1976 by Barbara Shaffer, the Tudor opened in 144 square feet of space in the Showcase of Shops in the building that now houses Elegant Eyewear and 2 stores away from the Tudor’s present location. The Tudor is the only original store still in existence.

Since its inception, the Tudor has expanded to its present size and location to include a great many services and products in addition to its commitment to books. There is now a full service cafe that was the first in the community to serve espresso drinks and to be trained by Seattle professionals. Gifts including frames, toys, candles, soaps, and imprinted stationery and invitations from national albums as well as created on site are a few unique services and offerings added during the years. Craft handmade jewelry and hand puppets are a new focus.


Author Events...

Author visits have been extremely important to what the Tudor has tried to give the community. There have been probably close to 1000 authors who have been in the store or who visited the valley because of the Tudor. Local authors have been a very important part of these programs. Group events to support local institutions have also been significant in planning such happenings. A Tasha Tudor Tea was arranged to support our local historical society and the Osterhout Library. Several Author Fests have recently been organized in support of all our local libraries. Other exciting group appearances have been a Mystery Writers meeting which included the now famous Dennis Le Hane. The TLC Community Book Club was begun 7 years ago and has featured such authors as Jodi Piccoult, Chris Bohjalian, Jasper Fforde, Jane Hamilton and Jennifer Weiner. In fact as of November, 40 nationally published authors will have visited the Valley because of TLC.


Community Involvement...

The Tudor has initiated Art and Literary Contests, helped to organize and publish a local poetry book, Got Verse, created an album and display of our local Greatest Generations War experiences and begun an Angel Project to help local disadvantaged children receive books as holiday gifts. There have been many other unique and perhaps lighter events including a Bad Hair Day, Best Cat and Dog Photo contest and most recently a Lemony Snicket party.

We are very proud and grateful for the recognition we have received. Winning the Small Business of the Year Award from the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry in 1997 was a thrill. Being selected as a Woman Entrepreneur of Merit in 1999 was another incredible honor.

The Tudor is the only independent and locally owned bookstore remaining in the local area including Lackawanna County. We are committed to our community and to providing independently selected books with emphasis on local interest and our patrons concerns. The Tudor also is dedicated to having an interesting and unique selection of gifts, cards, stationery and invitations and to providing a pleasant and desirable atmosphere. 30 years has gone by quickly and with great joy and we hope to be around for a long time to come.