WORCESTER—TidePool BookShop offers a curated selection of new and classic titles designed to engage, inspire, and connect readers of all ages. Founded by Jo and Huck Truesdell, lifelong Worcester residents, the independent bookstore emphasizes “community, convening, and curation.” Beyond its carefully chosen inventory, TidePool fosters a love of reading through events like book talks, lectures, and story hours for children.
The Truesdells, a retired kindergarten teacher and wildlife conservationist, launched the shop in response to Worcester’s lack of an independent bookstore. Their journey included visiting dozens of bookstores, attending industry workshops, and learning the trade through the supportive community of independent booksellers.
They say that TidePool Bookshop is the culmination of their passion for books and their dedication to serving Worcester.
TidePool BookShop is located at 372 Chandler St., Worcester.
For Small Business Saturday, with every purchase, TidePool is offering free ARCs (advance reader copies), which are books publishers have sent to us for review prior to publication.
The Worcester Guardian talked with Jo Truesdell about TidePool.
When did you open TidePool? We were scheduled to open in March of 2020, but the pandemic caused a bit of a delay. We opened the online portion out of our house that April, and started inviting customers into the store that August. Hard to believe we’ve been open for over four years!
Why did you start this business, and is it your first? It is our first business, and neither of us had any experience in retail other than from the customer side of the sales counter. When we retired in 2017, we realized there was only one independent bookstore in Worcester—Annie’s Book Stop—and in a city of 200,000 with numerous colleges and universities, that just didn’t seem right. So, with the help of the American Booksellers Association, the Center for Women in Enterprise, and the Small Business Administration, we set about learning what it would take to open a bookstore. In the meantime, Bedlam Books and Root & Press opened, which was exciting. We couldn’t be happier to be a part of the resurgence of Worcester’s independent bookstores, and are very grateful to the greater Worcester community for all its support.
Why did you choose Worcester, and this specific location in Worcester? We are both natives of the area. Opening a business was definitely not in our retirement plan, but continuing to be a part of the Worcester community was. From the very start it wasn’t about opening a bookstore, it was about opening a bookstore in Worcester. We are very fortunate that the space at 372 Chandler St. became available as it has everything we need: visibility, accessibility, and parking … not to mention a great ambiance for a bookstore.
What do you enjoy most about running your business? No question—the best part is absolutely the daily contact we have with our customers! They love books, they love Worcester, and they understand the importance of local businesses and what they add to the community. We also enjoy working with our small but wonderfully dedicated staff of knowledgeable and friendly booksellers who share our enthusiasm for the business, and we enjoy hosting evening author talks, Book Groups (both adult and Middle Reader), and our KidSuday author and StoryTime events for children.
Biggest challenge/struggle? As with any small business, increasing the flow of customers to support tight margins is always a challenge. Our customer base continues to grow, though, and we are grateful to all those who spread the word that TidePool Bookshop is here.
Is there a local business you’d recommend? Worcester is fortunate to have a lot of fabulous local businesses, and we would recommend supporting them all! We often run into our customers at other independent shops and restaurants around town, so we know they are doing what they can to support all the city’s indy businesses.
Supporting local businesses strengthens Worcester’s economy, creates jobs, and fosters a vibrant community. By choosing to shop local, you’re directly investing in your neighbors and the unique character of our city. Starting on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, enjoy free parking at all on-street metered spots and select municipal lots every Saturday through Dec. 28. Plus, Union Station Garage offers free parking on Saturday, Dec. 7.
If you know of a business that deserves recognition in our Small Business Saturday series, contact Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org. Let’s celebrate and support Worcester’s small businesses this holiday season.
