WEST STOCKBRIDGE — Eric Wilska got his start in the book business in 1974 with a $4,500 loan and a dream. The owner of Shaker Mill Books in West Stockbridge first opened The Bookloft in Great Barrington, which he ran for 42 years before making the full-time shift from selling newly released hardcovers to used paperbacks. Throughout his career, Eric had always been involved with used and out-of-print books, and owned two used bookstores in the 1970s and 2000s, Running Fence Books and Found at The Bookloft, respectively. When he was ready to retire — but not fully give up bookselling — he purchased the historic Shaker gristmill and its neighboring building in West Stockbridge to continue doing what he loves on his own terms.
At Shaker Mill Books, the slogan is: “Where you always find what you’re not looking for.” Amongst the 30,000 books, inclusive of used, rare, antiquarian, out-of-print, and occasional new works, you’ll discover a random assortment — from a $7 copy of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” to a $7,000 signed copy of a Rolling Stones profile. The bookstore also carries the best selection of books on all things Berkshire: history, flora and fauna, and guides to the area. Wilska’s pride and joy, however, seems to be the store’s expansive collection of photography books.
Used books are acquired from all over, with the majority supplied by downsizing private libraries, estate sales, and spring cleaning purges. Every day, he’s “greeted by a bag of books on the doorsteps.” For newer titles and photography books, Wilska travels to publishers’ book sales. Books that don’t fit on the shelves in the main building or in the historic gristmill next door get sent down to the overflow warehouse in Housatonic, a space shared with the Stockbridge Library.
Wilska considers Shaker Mill Books a COVID success story, as many people had nothing better to do than read all day during quarantine. Foot traffic in West Stockbridge grew during the pandemic as people moved to the area and sought refuge from populated urban areas. He also regularly encounters customers on day trips from all over New England who are eager to support popular small-town businesses. The merchants in West Stockbridge supported each other during the recent tough economic times and have collectively shaped the vibe of the town. The shift is palpable, Wilska said. “On days when the coffee shop across the street is closed, I notice a decrease in sales.”
This is an encouraging change from a few years ago, when the rise of online book-selling behemoths and e-readers threatened the existence of bookstores and many independent stores closed. But there’s a charm to used bookstores that can withstand the test of time. Shaker Mill Books’ contemporaries, such as The Montague Book Mill and Rodgers Book Barn, are destinations, and Wilska’s store has earned the same reputation. There’s always room for more used bookstores and Wilska invites new peers. “Bookstores, in particular, hold a strong emotional sentiment — the loss of a bookstore in a way is the loss of a community’s identity,” he said. Tools such as BerkShares help connect people to the businesses of their community, building small-town identity and supporting local culture. As Wilska once said: “It just makes sense!”
